₦airaland Forum

That was breakfast
Bibi where is lunch o
Make it heavy abeg

When I saw the whiteness of paper I let out the breath I didnt know I was holding..I looked around the shack again but this time I took everything in with a peace of mind.
I did it!
Somehow I had stumbled on the papers without having to cross the danger zone of the chief or through strange eyes and his strange tactics.
A mother hen entered the shack followed by about a dozen chicks. They began pecking here and there searching for food.
'Don't count your eggs before they hatch' I remembered the saying.
I frowned as I studied the chicks then the Pringles case....
I brought out the papers completely they were about four in number.. I hurriedly checked the contents..

The first paper had just four digits:
23:00pm
'What on earth is this?'
No banking papers..no coordinates nothing..I checked both front and back nothing!

The second paper like the first occupied just the center of the A4 paper. It contained an address...I cracked my brain and remembered that was the address Mona had told me was the Chief's operations home.

I didn't like what was forming in my mind..

The third paper literally stopped my breath...I was looking at Fome's photograph, her name, age, height,weight, eye. Colour...in fact everything concerning her physical appearance.

The last paper was a confirmation.
It was a check of 500 thousand naira..
So that's how much Fomes' head was worth..
How much had the killer been paid for Fumi?
How much for me too the pending case?

"Iya" I signaled to the pregnant lady..
"E fun mi hot" (give me spirit)
She smiled as she brought the bottle along. She brought the drink and without regard for my 'liver' I turned 3 shots to my half empty glass of palm wine.
The woman raised her brows in question but I shrugged..an unholy mixture was needed right now.

As she moved away I wondered idly how many months gone she was..the stomach looked like it could drop any day...as long as she didnt go Into labour right now because I could tell she was running the shop alone.
I looked at the papers in my hand..so Fome was supposed to meet the chief tonight but he had put a hit on her for 11 pm.
I shook my head and drank deeply.
It had to be the Chief..Mona had to be working for him...Mona..Mona Mona.. I shook my head thinking of Andy.
I brought out my phone and saw it was still on aeroplane mode. I deactivated it and dialed his number.
I took another long gulp again..I could feel the effect already...I didn't want to think about later tonight..I knew I had to somehow be at that address come 11pm and I needed a clear head and a foolproof plan with enough strategies but I topped up the glass again with the palm wine
The phone was ringing..Andy what did you marry..I muttered to myself.
He picked up on what had to be the last ring.
"Obasi..where you dey? You won't believe what I've gone through today because of you"
"You snitched me abi" I turned the cup again. This mixture was making sense
"Why you go dey talk like that"
"Andy..where is your wife?"
"My wife?"
"Yes your sweet innocent wife where is she"
"She went to the hospital..why?"
"Andy you are married to a demon..run away I tell you"
"You're slurring your words..wait don't tell me you're drinking right now!"
"I've been shivering like a fowl that was left in the rain..I'd drink what I want"
"Do you know what I went through at the hands of the police because of you?"
"I'd do the same for you..by the way how far the car did they get it?"
"Yes they've gotten it" he whistled "the car main o"
"I tell you". I was worried "Andy please listen to me just leave your house..go to a hotel don't tell anyone I'd meet up with you early morning..your wife isn't normal..she was with the person who killed Fumi now she gave her a contract to kill Fome"
"Rex what do you have against Mona..all this your stories are getting tiring"
I felt like smashing my phone so hard that I ended the call and placed it gently on the table.
This guy has been brain washed!
I had other things on my mind anyway...I had to find a way to warn Fome or save her from getting killed by 11pm
Not to mention the papers..my 48 hours had been counting down Already and I somehow knew Mona had been the one to steal the papers..it made sense perfectly..she had been to my place severally with Andy in the past and she could have easily gotten in that week and retrieved the papers for the chief.
So whether I liked it or not the confrontation I had been avoiding had to take place.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°°
My phone vibrated, it was strange eyes.
"Now where are you?" He asked rudely.. I thought he sounded tired..
"Did you arrest Mona?"
"She got away"
"Why am I not surprised"
I could tell he was pissed..I began to suspect Mona had whopped his ass.
I thought of asking his help I didn't know how else I could handle this 11 o'clock business. But something stopped me..Fome had said the Government never had one interest and she was one..or something to that effect, and i knew strange eyes had been after Fome and at times i got the impression he wanted her caught more than the chief..my thoughts were mixing up thinking and drinking didn't go together.
Still I emptied the palm wine bottle pouring the last contents in my cup.
"Strange eyes..I swear the minute you catch the assassin that is after me I would turn in myself to you..I would trust you fully"
"Turn in?But I don't want to arrest you..I just need-"
I cut the call.
So if Mona was working for the Chief and the Chief had the papers..why had he allowed me to find and take it from him before..what was I missing. It all seemed so puzzling

I began to have headache...I had taken alcohol a remedy for thinking but i was still over thinking I checked the time 6:45pm it was getting dark. The rain had stopped..
how could I contact Fome to warn her away from that address..or how did I go about 'saving' her from the deadly bullet from the old crooners gun..what would I do...?
I remember thinking but next thing the vibration of my phone woke me up..I checked the time in dismay 7:45pm. I had conked out for an hour.
The shack was still half filled and the men were quiet..each having pumped himself with sufficient alcohol.
The number calling me wasn't saved and I wondered who it was.
I considered not answering it but knew that I must..it could be Fome.
I picked but didn't talk.
"Hello"
Definitely a females voice but I couldn't place it..
"Hello"
"Rex..its Ada"
My eyes widened and the remnant from the drink cleared from my head as guilt took over.
"Ada I'm sorry about your car"
"So you don't own a magazine?"
Could they be tracing this call? I needed to end this..they could arrest me tomorrow night..not tonight...infact not even tomorrow night..they should wait till I relayed the paper to Dr. Rasheed then I would gladly stretch out my hands for the handcuffs
'Look Ada-"
"I recognised you today"
I was silent..."but I didn't rat you out Rex..with what you put me through I didn't rat you out..and I don't know why.."
"Thank you and I'm sorry I took your car..its just I'm going through something you won't even believe"
"I didn't follow my family home tonight"
Oh-oh "why not"
"I stayed behind in a hotel.."
She let the unspoken suggestion hang in the air and I knew I should cut the call but I stayed on the line.
"I want you Rex..come and spend the night"
I rubbed my eyes..talk about piss poor timing..besides paranoia won't allow me do such it could easily be a trap.
I was prepared to shoot her down..I have to be in your daddy's house before midnight to prevent my fiancé from being mudered!..your daddy...your daddy..the chief your daddy...
I frowned...Strange eyes had described Ada as the Chiefs favourite.
Maybe I had some leverage after all.
"I can't.. but you could come and spend the night with me instead" I wondered how she even got my number..just one more mystery that won't get solved.
"Where"
"I don't know if you can move around at night because I won't be there till like 11"
"I have Bruce with me"
Bruce was her Mercedes named after Batman whom she loved..this girl didn't learn..she still planned to bring her car to the very same person who stole it...
"That's nice" I said
I told her the address.
"Good 11 you say..so I would leave like 10:30"
"That's splendid" I got up from the bench where i had slept for over an hour. using the light from the oil lamp which was hung on the wall to put the documents back into the case.
I had to stop this from happening..I looked at the paper with Fome's details..I had to stop it.
I didn't know how it would play out and as I waved the pregnant woman and exited the shack I thought about Ada who I had invited to her fathers house..obviously a danger zone..
Hope she dresses decently..I laughed bitterly to myself..
And if it was a set up and she was coming with armed officers of the law..the more the merrier.

I almost shouted for the driver to stop..I couldn't risk it, the way she sang the song like there was an underlying message in it. I imagined her singing the same song before she discharged the bullet that ended Fumi's life.
Funny but this time recalling Fumi's demise didn't bring about the anger and charged up feeling it previously brought about instead I could feel myself begin to panic.
The thing was if I ran away today..I ran to die another day (or two days to be precise)..to live to fight another day I had to take a stand here and now..(I hope u catch my drift) I thought about the code I had used at the hospital..'delayed diagnosis'..what if the situation I found myself now, from Fome' to this woman.. the outcome had been predetermined but I was just delaying it.. Dr Rasheed had seemed straight forward but I could imagine him and his 'handler' smiling at a hidden second meaning when I had said I had delayed diagnosis...

Currently I was sitting next to the old woman killer in a bus. The rain had died down but the conductor still kept the door shut.
"Conductor my change oh!"
A woman from the back shouted.
The conductor ignored her and the bus fell silent.
I wondered were the old crooner was taking the papers to..I was sure it was to the Chief..but if it was the Chief then why did he allow me to take the papers from his house 3 weeks ago? I was sure he had done it on purpose that day..Moreover how did Mona now fit into things..who was she? What had my buddy (Andy) been married to? Just look at how she had fought with strange eyes...
"Conductor gimme my change o!"
The woman's voice boomed from the back again.
The conductor put his face through the window without replying.
The bus fell silent again.
The old crooner leaned close to me
"You will meet your ancestors tonight"
She said it in clean English and I had a feeling she could speak any language.
"Conductor gimme my change now haba!"
Every other person was mute minding his/her business. If things were normal I would have bothered the conductor on her behalf but presently the assassin beside me who had a gun just told me I'd be going to my ancestors.
I replied her "you killed my friend..you can never go free..ever"
The guy in the front seat glanced back..I didn't care if my voice was loud..I wouldn't mind exposing her here but I knew the power of a loaded gun.
"Driver tell this your useless conductor make he give me my change na!"
The conductor exploded suddenly.."Nna abeg park this bus,park this bus!"
The driver slowed down."wetting dey happen again eh Osi"
"I tell this woman say change 1000 no dey but she still enter..now she dey disturb me..abeg make she comedown..hey woman wey you oya con come down"
I was surprised the driver was actually slowing down to a stop..the conductor jumped down
"Madam no waste time na come down..I go give you your money..I no go again"
The woman remained inside..
"No dey disturb me again o..when I get your change I go give you"
I had been watching the drama and only when the conductor was about to climb the bus did I notice I had been slacking.
The old crooner still maintained her position meaning she wasn't holding the case I looked at it and I knew the window of opportunity was very small.
It all broke down in slow motion...I grabbed the Pringles with such force and leapt out the vehicle which was just about accelerating. The conductor had been hanging on the door the way they always do and I had knocked him backwards..my legs touched solid ground but gave under me as I wasn't balanced..my knees and hands..on the floor..there goes the Pringles case rolling away..
Then it all sped up..I got to my feet and picked up the case and ran with the kind of speed an old man just could't attain no matter how fit.
I heard shouts from the bus..
"That man no gimme money o! The conductors voice.
I didn't dare look back..I ran madly entering puddles with the rain falling a little harder.
Luck was on my side that the bus had pulled over at a bus stop and not the lonely high way if not where would I have run to? I heard more shouts from the bus..then the strange woman's voice: "Ole! Thief!"
I could see the few people standing under shelter fron the rain beginning to pick interest..
Ole ke?? I thought to myself not with all this jungle justice that has been going around lately..only in Lagos you can hear something like someone getting lynched in the rain..
"One chance! One chance!"
I shouted madly at the top of my voice
"That bus na one chance o!"
"I see am him jump commot for the bus na true na one chance!"
A lady's voice(bless her!)
I heard the bus pick up speed as people had began advancing throwing stones already.
Whether Alhaja had stayed in the bus or not I didn't know and didn't intend to find out..I kept on running.
"Baba o' ti to' (its okay ) they have gone"
For where? I paid no heed to their calls and I could here someone laugh obviously marveled at my speed.
I zig zagged through countless shops then entered a shack in one corner..it was covered well and although I chose it spontaneously, the shaded look was a factor.
I entered inside out of breathe and drenched..I wondered how my face would look..not so old I was sure.
"Baba welcome eyah..sorry.."
The woman was heavily pregnant she ushered me to a bench "what will you drink?" She asked in Yoruba.
I looked around about half a dozen men were witted about..spread on about four benches..all were drinking some kind of spirit drink or the other which she poured in shots.
"My liver" I touched my stomach.."you don't have palmy? I no dey take hot again e don spoil my stomach already"
She smiled at this. "We no dey sell palmy but I go help you go bring..iya Sarah dey sell"
I made to give her money but she said "wait lemme come first"

I looked around the shack no one had even spared me a second glance..they were all busy knocking shots and discussing within themselves.
I looked at the Pringles case...at long last!
A foolish part imagined if I had gone through all that trouble..from almost breaking my neck and the running only to discover that the case truly held Pringles.
All that for Pringles!
"That's impossible" I laughed as I loosened the cover..but my smile began to falter.

A short corridor led to the kitchen and I thought it wise to slow my steps. This woman was armed after all.
I could still hear shouting and even cheering from the other hall by now I expected phones to be recording strange eyes and Mona's fight..no one would venture to seperate..there were some kind of fights that when you saw the quality you knew you were safer on the sidelines.

I drew closer to the kitchen and I could hear the old crooner's voice..it did have a lovely and grandmotherly tilt..but that was pretty deceiving.
"A di' ti' ni? (Are you deaf)open this door immediately"
I could here another woman's voice..probably the madam of the diner..
"Mummy I have told you this is for only staff..the entrance is that way"
Next thing I heard was "Jesu!"
And the short gasp of a younger woman..probably the sales girl.
I knew the gun must have been whipped out.
My heart beating I eased slowly to the doorway..wishing for the thousandth time that I had a gun..not as if I would have been able to hit the target..I remembered my miserable shooting the last time my life had depended on it.
I heard the bolt of the door..the gun had changed the rules..the door wasn't exclusively for kitchen staff anymore. I peeped into the room and saw the old crooner pointing the gun at both the madam and the sales girl who had opened the door..she had her back to me and was easing her way towards the door slowly still keeping the gun trained on the two women.
I thought of sneaking behind her and smacking her upside the head with all my strength..the cane was stronger than the stick I had used before...and if it meant I had knocked out two old women under 24 hours so be it.
I almost took the first step but then my feet became cold....
what if I made some noise and she turned around...
And she remembered me from the diner as the suspicious old man she and Mona had been avoiding..
I could picture it clearly..all it would take is one shot to the chest..no way.
I watched her step into the rain and immediately she was gone I hurried after her..The Madam was shaken..drawing signs of the cross..and speaking speak in either tongues or Yoruba..her eyes widened as I rushed through and I could tell she was thinking not another old person again!

I burst out from the side street...observed left and right
I thought I had lost her..but there she was running to a commercial bus that she had flagged down..I observed the street it was empty..if she got on that bus it was over..the yellow and black buses where indistinguishable and I couldn't tell the plate number from here..besides she might highlight at any point- I shut off my brain and ran with speed shouting for the bus to wait for me.
The old crooner was just entering the bus and once the conductor saw me running he held the bus.
I entered the bus and our eyes locked.
She looked at me in disbelief and what I hoped was panic.
"Madam help me shift for am na!" The conductor shouted.
She shifted but her body was rigid..her left hand held her purse but her right was inside. I had a good idea of what she was gripping.
What kind of whala did I just put myself into..leaping without looking!
'Next time don't shut me off' (my brain scolded)
The Pringles case was in her purse also but half of the body was outside.
I eyed it with the corner of my eye..if I could grab it and jump out of the vehicle..
But the bus was moving at break neck speed and what's more the driver had slid the door shut to prevent water from being splashed on the passengers.
The old crooner was mumbling something..I slowly bent my head with style to hear what she was saying.
'..of many colours that my mother made for me'
She looked at me slowly and smiled..wickedly.
And I knew she had just figured out who I was.

Hbd..wullnp..have fun

I sat counting the seconds into minutes..I watched the door closely..and spared a glance towards the other table..two pairs of eyes were pointed my way..it seemed as if they wanted eye contact..I thought it looked obvious I was avoiding eye contact..but I feared if our eyes met..I'd see the flicker of recognition at least on on Mona's face.
The old wooman caressed her bag which was on the table..and my blood chilled..not the bag again..surely she wouldn't try anything funny in such a crowded place..in the privacy of the toilet my life had been saved by two unsuspecting girls..not to talk of this public place.
But my mind was still on the edge.

My attention was drawn to the door..and a group of people (about 5) hurried in seeking shelter from the rain.
I noticed him immediately..he stood out from the rest or maybe because I had been expecting someone like that exactly..but I could tell he was from strange eyes side of the fence. While others seemed to have been caught in the rain unawares..he seemed to have prepared for it..right now he was shaking of a his heavy windbreaker which was waterproof..I tried to cross his face to the gala seller who had left my face with scratches but couldn't place the gala agent's face..new faces and events had occupied my memory I guess.
The agent was observing everybody with trained eyes as he walked around holding his dripping coat pretending to be on the look out for a vacant space..but I could see his eyes scanning the faces..I watched his face for any sign he recognized Mona..but nothing when he looked at me..I held my breath..he took a sit close to the entrance..he had practically circled The diner then settled at the spot he passed.
I looked at the other table..they were talking to each other now..I don't think they noticed the agent but the old crooner still stroked her bag almost lovingly I thought.
I saw strange eyes come from the kitchen and my eyes bulged..when did he pass? He looked as if he had been in there all along..his clothes where dry...except..: I noticed his trousers from the ankle down were soaked wet and he wore rain boots.
He had probably gone through the kitchen window..I'm sure he brought a coat just like this other one that is drying now..I sipped my drink as I watched him enter the diner..
A part of me thought and hoped that it was a set up..that they had lured the old crooner here to take her down..and that Mona was indeed an agent and that strange eyes hadn't traced my call but had been communicating with Mona about taking down the assassin...some how I knew it was wishful thinking.
I saw Mona's eyes widen and I read her lips clearly "sh!t" she put her head down..he had seen strange eyes..
I watched this with interest..front seats in the cinema...'why would she duck?..she knows strange eyes..and knows he can recognise her..'
Strange eyes hadn't seen her..he was stopping by tables asking questions and moving on..the way he was moving..he'd get to my table first before the other one..what was he even asking them anyway? He would lean in a table and say or ask something and most times they would shake their heads. Other times I couldn't make out their reply. He was heading to my table like 4 places away..I got out my phone..

[ look to your left..the lady in a blue blouse said she worked with you the old woman In brown is Fumis murderer and also after my neck]
I pressed send..then added another:
[Show me I can trust you. Do something!]
Both messages brought up an error sign..but I had credit now..aeroplane mode!..
I dragged my notification down then deactivated it..I pressed resend rapidly for both messages while my network bar rebooted.
Strange eyes was two tables away..maybe if we spoke he wouldn't recognise the voice..but I had a feeling he would..I would have to try my best to alter my voice.
The messages showed me a sent sign..I put my phone on aeroplane mode and looked up just as strange eyes approached my table.
He leaned in..his phone beeped..I heard it too new message.
"Are you the owner of a pathfinder vehicle outside..plate number-"
The phone beeped again..the second message..
I could see his hands were itching him..he straightened up and checked the phone..his first reaction was to scan the room probably looking for where I sent the message from..not knowing yours truly was in front of him.
Then he checked out Mona's table and he frowned..looked at his phone again..then looked round..I could tell he was baffled..without any word he turned from my table and walked to the door where his partner had sat..I watched him closely and noticed a sign..he gave his partner..just a slight sweep of the head..his partner got up and headed outside to the rain..I could see him pulling out his phone as he left..'better call back up' I said through gritted teeth.
I wasn't the only one monitoring these movements..Mona was literally fidgeting..and I was finding her reaction. Interesting..it seemed they had both forgotten about me..
She muttered something to the old woman and she grabbed the bag holding it in Her lap with her hands positioned in a way that ensured easy access to the content.
I obsereved strange eyes..he was standing by the door looking around..wondering were I was hiding I was sure.
A man decided to leave and brace the rain..he got up and moved to the door..strange eyes almost didn't clear road for the man..he eyeballed the man till the man was almost past him. The man raised his arms in a 'what?" Kind of gesture and strange eyes sidestepped letting him pass.
I disabled the aeroplane mode once more..",have to warn this fool" I
Sent a message
[The old woman has a wicked gun in her purse]
I clicked send but the message refused to deliver..my network was full so it had to be strange eyes..
I watched Mona's table closely...she seemed to be really restless and I could tell the old woman was trying to placate her.
I looked at strange eyes he was talking into his wrist watch..and truly just as Dr. Rasheed had said..the gadget blinded him to where he was meant to look..because as I looked back to the other table..Mona brought out a Pringles jar from under the table..and with much urgency thrust it at the old crooner.
I knew it as I knew my name was Rex Obasi..the papers were rolled in there!
Mona pointed towards the kitchen while speaking to the old woman and I knew she had guessed that strange eyes had used there to gain entrance.
She finished whatever instructions she gave the woman and stood up..the old crooner remained on her seat and I watched as Mona made her way towards the entrance..
Strange eyes saw her approach and stopped talking into the watch phone or whatever was on his wrist.
He moved to intercept her as he came to her front he raised a hand to her and made to speak...Mona's next action would make me think she was not an agent at all or if she was she was a rogue agent.
With lightening speed she struck out her hand slapping away the one strange eyes had raised she turned 180 with a round house kick following...strange eyes was lucky she had on sneaks and not heels if not I probably would be referring to him as no eyes after this incident.
The kick connected well and strange eyes staggered but the stubborn man wouldnt go down..he counter striked with a kick of his own and the fight was on..people were shouting and exclaiming..making a racket..but nobody made any move towards them..I looked at the old woman and saw her shuffling her way in the confusion towards the kitchen..Pringles case in hand. I got to my feet grabbing my cane as I fast limped after her..this had to be a miracle..for the papers to fall under my very nose! I couldn't miss it..no it wasn't an option.

The restaurant was almost filled up I chose a lonely table and sat down anticipating my meal..welcome aromas drifted from the kitchen.
The rain had increased, although the sound was reduced in here..I could tell it was serious when people began rushing in seeking shelter.
A sales girl rushed to my side..pretty and in her early 20s.
"E ka le daddy..ki lo fe je" (good evening,what will u eat)
I wanted to ask her which soup they had but couldn't remember the Yoruba word for soup
I settled on vegetable with pounded yam and as she retreated from my table..I felt watched..I glanced around the diner but didn't see anything out of the ordinary..people were sitting,eating,talking..some where standing observing the rain..waiting for the slightest break in current and they'd be on the street no doubt..I took my time to observe as many people as u could..but I didn't notice anybody..no one seemed to be paying any particular attention to me and I focused on my food when the girl served it.
As I ate I tried to think of my next line of action..everything that had happened to me so far seemed surreal but I didn't need to pinch myself to be reminded this was reality.
It was a known fact the chief wanted me dead..so it was logical I try to contact him first before all the effects of Wendy's wand ran out..what I intended to do I didn't know..how was also a mystery but I knew I needed to act.
How about if i try to kill two birds with one stone?...on the off chance that strange eyes was the one with the papers and I could sense my danger in coming across the chief..
I pushed my thoughts to the background again and observed the diner. The feeling of being watched again..I feared it was someone from Dr. Rasheeds side..I didn't even want to think of the institute..but the details he had rattled of about my family had been to accurate...it was chilling..what had he said..'my fathers ram had won' how did he know about that..when my mother had called-
My phone vibrated!
I checked the I.d and grimaced..
I wouldn't say speak of the devil..cos my mother is an angel in my eyes but lo and behold my thoughts must have conjured the call..
I hesitated to pick the call..washing my hands hoping it would be a missed call..
The vibration stopped..before I could blink she was calling again..."hello mama"
I saw a young couple at the next table look at me in surprise I could tell what they were thinking..
'wow this old man..still has a mother...and they talk on the phone'
"I was expecting your call back since na" she said accusingly
"I forgot mama..the work has been too much recently"
She softened "I know..that's why you need a wife by your side now..I've been telling you since"
I mumbled something in agreement watching the sales girl as she cleared the table.
"Your fathers ram has another fight on Saturday.." She lowered her voice "its like God touched this your father today o..he used the money he won from that fight to buy me some lace and judge"
My eyes widened...my sisters and I had been responsible for clothing our mother since I could remember..we didn't really 'send' our Father because he came into enough money regularly from gambling alone..but you know the cycle of gambling in and out..still sufficient money was on hand to spoil his wife every now and then but the thought never crossed his mind..that's why I was surprised..this was news!
"All of it?" I asked her
"Haba now don't you know your father"
I smiled.
She went on "so we should be with you on Sunday your father is looking forward to it..I just pray his ram wins.."
I wondered if it would make any difference..Sunday was in 4 days time...
"Whats wrong..why are you quiet?"
"I don't know if its malaria..since yesterday I've been feeling sick"
"Have you taken drugs?"
"Mama I've taken everything I just need to sleep"
"Toh- oya rest o..we'd talk later"
I put down the phone and observed the windows..the rain had reduced..and not enough to keep me stationary on a normal day..but I feared it would wear out the effects on my face .I could feel it wasn't as profound as when She had finished it that morning.
So I remained in my seat and had even spaced out not gazing at anything in particular..the Sales girl returned to collect money and as I paid her I glanced around the room. I saw Mona at a table around my 3 o'clock position....I considered she and Andy would probably be hungry and this place was a walking distance from the hospital..
'That was quick..Mona must have pulled some major strings..were is Andy..' I thought to myself as I watched her idly..
She seemed to look around and I guessed she was expecting someone..where is Andy?..I looked around suddenly alert and wondered who she was expecting..,I wouldn't be surprised to see Emenike I thought to myself
She had nothing on her table and the sales girl approached her and they spoke..I had no idea what they said but the sales girl moved to another table before heading towards the kitchen.
Finally I saw her signal to who she was waiting for..I turned discreetly to check out the arrival expecting to see Emenike.

My mouth hung open like a cartoon I was sure..but moving to the table and now sitting down opposite Andy's dear wife was the old woman..the legit one. She still carried the same bag..as the last time..on the outside it looked like what an old woman would carry with all her harmless possessions inside. But I knew a deadly weapon (possibly a glock 9..) Was in the bag..I wondered if Mona knew too..and what kind of business..would they have together?
The sales girl returned "daddy shey you will drink something Madam they complain say seat no dey for other people wey wan chop"
"But I just ate here now.." My eyes were on Mona and Fumi's killer
"Oya gimme malt..you still hold my change sef"
She skipped away and I watched Mona and the old woman talk in hushed tones..
What business does a federal agent have with an assassin for hire..the very one who had killed my friend and wanted me dead.. I picked up my phone..'I hope he traces this..'
I dialled strange eyes "Rex..what a pleasant surprise"
"One of your agents is married to Andy my friend from work..yes or no"
"What... which agent...Andy..Andy..I know him very well but his wife..is not I repeat..not a federal agent."
I said nothing but observed them the sales girl brought my drink and made to open it.
I inclined my head to where Mona and the assassin still sat discussing. "How come your madam doesn't worry those two women...they didn't even buy anything"
She opened my drink then looked over ."no oo..that younger woman paid money for just that table"
"But I thought..your first service was to the stomach of people"
She laughed.."daddy not with this kind of money o" I uncovered my hand from the mouth piece of the phone, strange eyes was still on the line
"you have something I need" I glanced at the two women..still deep in discussion.
"I'd be with you shortly.." He must have traced the location...well the more the merrier..
"Make sure you bring the papers...all of it"
"I see you've gotten some base in your voice .but which papers?.I trust you would explain better when we see"
"You're messing with forces you can't handle"
Mona glanced around and I averted my gaze and picked my drink....I could feel her gaze in my direction and hoped she didn't recognize me from earlier in the waiting room. Two times might seem too much of a coincidence..
Strange eyes was blabbering "forces I can't control..that's what I should be telling you..you never should have ditched me..now you-"
I cut the call then put the phone on aeroplane mode..you never know..but strange eyes could enter the diner with a device that would latch onto my signal and direct him to my table..after all What was it Dr Rasheed had said again.."strange eyes was spoilt with gadgets to blind him to where he should look"
I put the phone in my pocket and looked discreetly in the direction of Mona's table..my breath caught..they were both looking at me contemplatively and muttering to each other.
I tried to act nonchalant but I could tell from the corner of my eye that their attention was still on me.
Lightening flashed from outside..the rain wasn't over yet.
The phrase seemed to imply my current situation..and I sighed as I worriedly observed the old crooner (ruthless killer)and Mona (Agent or ??)
Presently like two monitoring spirits..I could tell they decided there was something fishy about me.

I got to the hospital and I wasn't ready for the sight that awaited me..I should have noticed something was amiss long ago but I was deep in thought...I had been given a mission impossible which i had to make possible because the stakes were too high..
I walked in on the police officers in the waiting room..where they had most likely been questioning Andy and his 'wife' Andy looked worried he sat down in a corner with Mona beside him that wasn't all..
I could see Chiefs wife Mrs Benita with her two children standing beside the officers.
I took all this in while in motion (which was slow thanks to the limp)
A part of my brain noticed the triangle of Andy,Mona and the Chiefs son Emenike. I wondered what his reaction would be like if I told him this dude had his wife the day before..
I drew stares my way as everyone seemed to lapse into silence as all eyes focused on me.
I moved to the a single chair away from their section..the same place the snoring man had slept away before his chilling revelation.
They studied me for some seconds more and I took my time settling down playing an old fragile man to the fullest.
"So he gave you the keys and the note this morning and disappeared?"
I could hear their voice clearly! This is how the snoring guy probably listened to Andy and I the night before... I shook my head.
Presently Emenike was pacing while Andy fumbled out a reply to the sergeant who asked the question.."yes..that's what I've been saying since..me I was sleeping he gave me and left"
I tried my best to feign disinterest in what they were saying but I could see a particular police man watching me with narrowed eyes and a frown..my heart quickened and I wished I had a news paper or something to feast my eyes..instead I rested my chin on my cane and tapped my foot softly.
"So you're telling us this woman was attacked outside her home by some stranger...how come you and obasi turned out here together?"
I could feel Andy sweating.."he came to my house..earlier..we were both inside"
"Are you aware Obasi is the leading suspect in the murder of your workmate..one miss Fumi?"
"I-i had no idea" Andy stammered..
The police man who had been observing me came my way..
I braced myself.
Emenike was saying.."I know he is responsible..this guy should be locked up..he's not stable"
"What are you doing here?" The officer had reached my side.
He sized me up quite rudly and I took my time..turning my head slowly then adjusting my glasses as I stared up at him..
"My grand daughter..pregnant"
He looked at me closely.."are you not the husband to one Alhaja that is here?"
I looked at him blankly.."my grand daughter want to give birth..so me I come..me I wait.." Wtf! Talking like an illiterate would contradict my outlook.
The police looked at me again.."let's take a walk"
"Constable!" It was the sergeant
"Sah" the constable who had been making me squirm stood at attention.
I looked up to notice they were all leaving the room..with Andy and his wife..in tow..probably to the station..because of the car case..although I knew Mona only had to pull some strings in person of strange eyes and they'd be out with minimum bail. I still felt I was gonna get snitched on..Andy was a qood guy but he lacked the balls and guts (I'm one to talk)
The constable hurried to his sergeant and I sighed in relief..then my breath caught again as my eyes met Ada..she was looking at me in disbelief as if she saw through all the old man getup..her mouth opened in surprise as she moved towards the door..she was directly behind Andy and Mona..I knew she had to recognise me..there was no other reason for her to look at a stranger in open mouth surprise.
I expected the worst..for her to raise the alarm,point at the old man but she just stared until she left the room..I stayed were I was for minutes after the waiting room was empty. Calming the old and feeble heart.
I left the waiting room in search of the doctor who had attended to us..I didn't see him I checked out the reception for the fat nurse lady but instead met a slim dude.
I reasoned that when Alhaja's husband had come with Mona in the morning they were yet to change shifts..so it was possible this nurse guy hadn't met Alhaja's real husband..
I thanked God Wendy had worked on my teeth making it look old and coloured. I felt it was a giveaway that an old man like the one I was portraying would have 32 healthy
teeth.
"Yes can I help you sir?"
"I want to check my wife she was attacked and her head-"
"Oh..Alhaja..she has been asking for you since..she came around sometime this afternoon and she's very weak but she still asked for you" he came around the table and took my hand..which I was just suddenly aware would feel young and smooth..I quickly retrieved my hand and used it to grab the cane
"Lemme take you to her..if she isnt sleeping..I don't think doctor would mind..I can spare a few minutes..its a miracle the way her recovery was instant...its a good thing she was brought here by your neighbour."
'This guy Na chatterbox' I thought idly as I followed him praying Alhaja would be sleeping..once I assuaged my conscience and was convinced she was okay..I was off from this hospital..I had 48 hours to perform magic. We entered the room and to my dismay I could see alhaja staring at the small TV in the corner..
"Oh yes..all the soap opera stations have kept her quite busy..Alhaja..guess who is here!"
I decided I didn't like this nurse guy..he was too lousy...whether I disliked him or not..Alhaja was looking at me..a slight smile on her lips and I wondered if by some stupid luck I could pull this off..another part of me marveled at the love she shared with her husband. But as I got closer her smile faded.."oko' mi da?"(where is my husband)
"Iya..emi ni" (wife it is me...or so I hoped)
She frowned and shook her head..the movement made her wince in pain..
"Woa..what happened?"
"I think the blow gave her a little amnesia" I said to the nurse..who frowned..he studied Alhaja who was still muttering denials and asking for her real husband..
"That's strange..I hope its nothing serious..hold on lemme get the doctor"
I nodded..the moment he left the room..I looked at Alhaja..."I'm sorry" I said...
I left and closed the door softly..I had to move on now..I had a race against time..
I saw no more police...nor Ada or her mother..it seems they all went to the station ..I hoped they had seen the car in the crusade ground..if not..
I considered my next action as I headed for the exit.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
The chief: it turned out his product ammunition was not just a metaphor with reference to alcohol..actually supplying arms to sleeper cells just for money...but why had he left..such important documents about in the first place..and had technically invited and given me time to snoop and find it..my mind told me to be careful..and thread lightly when dealing with the chief..I considered the fact that he was blacklisted to be killed once the 'institute' had the paper containing the coordinates was in their hands..my mind moved to Dr. rasheed and all he had told me..the 'kidon' were known for their innovative killings.. The family to one of their victims concerning their strike back operation (wrath of God) in response to the Munich massacre had argued that the said victim died from natural causes..I marveled at the innovation this people took in killing. I truly believed that if I played my part and relayed the document then chief would bite the dust in hours..I wondered if the strike team was on stand by already..probably In shadows waiting quietly..I really wouldn't lose any sleep over his death..to be frank..Fumi's death had made me stone cold...it was just a game to him..it could easily be any of my sisters next..or..I grinded my teeth in anger..my mother...no way! He had to go first...then if I had to trek round Lagos..I would hunt down that old assasin who had done the actual trigger pulling.
The question was..what if Chief somehow had the papers in his possession..how do I get it?
Then there was strange eyes..I had long forgotten the fact that he save my life..now over 72 hours ago..because his recent actions had endangered it over and over again..he had seemed truly pissed when I had declared the papers missing back in my house..but he was a master liar no doubt..he had also pretended to not to know of Chiefs 'operations' address but according to Mona he had 'discovered that Intel himself'
Something nagged at my brain but I missed it...it danced just out of reach and it seemed the harder I tried to grasp it the more it moved farther away.
I gave up. It was extremely likely that strange eyes had the documents.. It seemed more like his thing...breaking and entering was his specialty and he loved messing with minds..
Then Fome...her involvement in all this seemed to be deeper than I initially thought..
The sky rumbled and I looked up...not one single star in sight..my stomach was churning growling in hunger..but I had no time to waste..I couldn't afford to be stuck in a diner when the rain started...I thought to Fome..Dr.Rasheed had said to get her to contact me...how? I thought of how she contacted me to warn me about the old woman assassin..she had said 'don't enter that office' as if she were behind me..
"What did she mean.." The first drop of rain began dropping and I knew I had to make up my mind...either Chief or strange eyes..who to contact first..and how do I go about it..? My mind was blank..
The rain seemed to increase..and I suddenly..needed a break..I had been up and about since like 5 am..after spending the night dozing in a sleeping position..(I totally forgot the 3 hours sleep I squeezed in at the hotel)
I decided to branch in a food joint I noticed by the road..the bright neon lights announced it was a 24/7 strictly 'swallow joint'
I escaped the increasing rain..and decided that a plate of pounded yam could help jump start the brain because I needed strategies...but I wasn't going to starve myself anymore...I could be dead in 48 hours and I wasn't going on an empty stomach.

I could tell my disguise threw him off balance no matter how he tried not to show it.
"I need to get your DNA sample"
"Why..? Please I'm at a loss here..what is delayed diagnosis?"
"But you said that was your predicament" he folded his large hands and relaxed as if he had enough time. "That was because I was directed here last night-"
"But we weren't expecting an old man" he interrupted "so you see why a DNA test is necessary"
I decided to take a stand.."I refuse to consent to any test without an explanation"
He laughed at that..
"You my dear friend are not in any position to make demands" he straightened up "I'd oblige you however because I tend to regard old men"
I said nothing just observed him through my glasses "A few weeks ago you came into contact with some papers..bank documents am I correct?" he asked as I went still.
Not waiting for a reply he drove on "now the money doesn't interest me..let's get that clear...but within those papers is one paper" he leaned on the table and I suspected his chair had lifts when we were eye level. "Just a bunch of numbers..I trust you've seen it..?"
I cracked my brain thinking..I could recall something of the sort all though my attention had been on everything with 250 on it.
Dr Rasheed continued "that paper is coordinates to various sleeper cells that are a threat to the National security of not only our country but another's as well"
"Israel's" I prompted and saw his eyes widen in suprise..then he smiled..
"I see you are quite sharp ehn...lemme tell you a little history".

"The Jews are people that have always been on the receiving end of oppression all through out their history..at the hands of Pharaoh,to Babylon.. not to mention the others recounted in the bible in between..to the Holocaust and the unimaginable things they went through at the hands of the Nazi's in the concentration camps" his voice broke as if from emotion and all though I was caught up..I wanted to ask him..what all the 'delayed diagnosis' racket of before was all about.
He continued "Now decades ago..an event occurred at the Olympic games in Munich Germany which sparked the old feelings of oppression back to the mind of every Jew..which sparked outrage and made them say enough is enough" I noticed how he said 'they' not 'us'. He proceeded to recount details i had never heard of to me..his voice had a strong baritone and I feared it carried out of the room.
During the Olympic games in Munich decades ago (I would later find out it was '72)
Members of a Palestinian terrorist sect known as 'black September' had stormed the Israeli Olympic team quarters and taken hostages. Demanding for the release of their prisoners jailed in Israel (234 was the number of prisoners would find out when I researched later)
The eleven hostages were killed! Dr. Rasheed expressed with something similar to raw pain in his voice and I began to suspect he wasn't a Nigerian.
This act could not go unpunished!..retribution was a must!
He took a break and looked at me "what do you know about the isreali Palestinian conflict?"
I shrugged "they don't like each other"
He smiled thinly "the institute was given the go ahead to Track down and murder every member of black September"
"The institute?" I asked
"Known as mossad" he replied..with a grim smile..
"So were they successful?" I asked him.
He smiled "the operation 'wrath of God' was very effective and everyone involved in the act of terror in one way or another were hunted down "but what people don't know is that the operation never stopped..the fight with terror is one that doesnt end..As I'm speaking to you..The Chief Amunike has been blacklisted in the book of death.. for selling ammunition for financial gain..to terrorist groups..whose very existence is a threat to our Country's existence and israel's as well.
"Blacklisted? By who"
"By the most effective group of killers in the world"
"The tip of the spear?.."
His eyes widened for the second time that day. "I'd advice you not to repeat that again"
"Dr I'm just an old man" I held up both hands
Dr. Rasheed continued "once you hand over the paper and the numbers are confirmed..be rest assured the Chief would be no more "
Na there wahala go dey o..I thought to myself. I had no idea where the papers were.
"There's this man called strange eyes..or agent John..he works for our Government..I know he could be of much use to you"
Dr Rasheed sneered.."our own agents are good at chasing their tales..this John you speak of is a mere child, spoilt with gadgets and given fancy toys to run around with..all meant to close his eyes to where he ought to look!"
I decided to speak before I got wrapped in "the problem is that the documents are gone"
He looked at me calmly..I had expected him to shout but he was quiet as if thinking it over..
"That would be very unfortunate for you..the ultimatum is that you have two days..to hand over the paper .the 250 million is yours but you must bring the other paper to this office in 48 hours or the tip of the spear shall visit you"
I began sweating profusely.."I have no idea how the papers got missing..you can't do this to me!"
"My friend.." He almost sounded sympathetic.."I don't work for the Israelis..I am just an ordinary informant..your handler..the same way I too have a handler that tells me what I pass to you now."
"Please help me ask for an extension...48 hours is too soon "
"You don't understand..if it is known you don't have the papers you are as good as dead.."
I put my head in my hands.
"When I contact my handler in two days I'm to hand over the papers that's it..failure to do that..." He let his voice trail..he had said it too much already.
"There is an old woman that has been after me..she killed my friend yesterday..who is she?"
"I would ask for a more detailed information about her..but she is a deadly assassin for hire.."
"What of Fumi..my fiance?"
He cleared his throat "Mr. man I'm not an encyclopedia of information..I've told you all you need to know..and what you need to do..get the paper here in 48 hours..keep the riches and the chief would be out of your hair for good"
"What if I fail to show?" I needed to know all my options..but it seemed it all boiled down to getting killed..
He brought out a paper from the desk drawer..then rattled of an address in Port Harcourt that chilled me to my bones..Cynthias address..
"The institute doesn't harm family and loved ones..but there's always that exception..
Or we could wait till Sunday when your folks come to visit..." My eyes almost burst through the glasses..
"Yes it wouldn't be Saturday..your fathers ram got into the finals..very wicked ram he has" he smiled in memory as if he had watched the fight.
"I'd be with the papers in 48 hours" I said hurriedly
He nodded.."now if you'll excuse me I need to open the doors to people who don't have delayed diagnosis..I am a doctor after all.
He inclined to the door with his head..and I stood up..
"You are betraying this Country..siding with a foreign Nation over yours"
"On the contrary..I am saving this country..from itself and from people like you and from people like strange eyes!..think how someone like the chief was able to make money distributing arms to terrorist group nor to talk of his local drug and human trafficking and made riches and grew untouchable if not for friends..in high places..
I shook my head "no one is above the law"
He laughed at that.."one day you are not going to believe you ever said such a thing"
His voice had gotten hard..it seems I touched a raw nerve..
"Point me in the right direction at least..if I'm to have any hope of retrieving the papers I need some kind of direction"
"If you truly lost it..the paper can only be with either The Chief,Strange eyes or your fiancé..those are the three possibilities"
"I'd need to know where Fome is..how do I get it if its with her?"
"I myself don't know her exact location" he stood up..not soo subtle in edging me towards the door "one thing I would tell you is she's always close by to you..you just need to force her to make contact"
I rolled my eyes as I moved towards the door..he unlocked it from behind.."I shouldn't tell you that none of this should leave this room...you are quite sharp after all" he added and I wondered if that was sarcasm I detected in his voice.
I said nothing and walked away..limping down the corridor..it was a couple of seconds before I heard the door close.

°•°•°••°°••°°••°°•°•°•°•

Strange eyes..The Chief or Fome..48 hours to find out which one of them had the document and retrieve it..
The sky was changing..getting cloudy and very grey with a huge rain obviously on its way but I paid little attention as I walked down the street.. I wondered which of them I would prefer to be with the papers but realized I couldn't trust any of them..not Fome..not after years of deceit and not when I still couldn't grasp her involvement in all this..not the Chief (come on na) and definitely not strange eyes the slippery bar soap.

The time was 4pm and I marveled at how the time had flown by..better go check the hospital..in the safety of my disguise..I wouldn't be bothered if the police where there..I remembered the short Dr. Rasheed who didn't take my DNA anymore..he probably new it was me the moment I entered his office..I used the cane to flag down a bike..noticing that for someone who was supposed to be limping I seemed to balance on my feet pretty well..
I didn't care..not as if anyone was watching me..besides I was tired.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Big ups to you..and big ups to temitope for the inspiration.
Abeg spin more stories.

P.s: olu really mismanaged the situation..just glad she didn't die.
More ink to you.

1 hour later I stood in front of a massive mirror, observing the result.
Wendy had really outdone herself..I looked at my reflection in disbelief!
Bushy grey eyebrows, little hair on my sides sprinkled with grey, bald down the middle..I don't know what magic she did with her brush..which she called the magic wand but my face looked old and weathered. She also left me with tribal marks on both cheeks and I had insisted she keep it short. Not wanting the ear to chin type.
"This is not incision now..it would come off"
"Thank you keep it short"
I agreed with all her other choices tho because one thing that was certain: Wendy knew her job.
She also turned out to be a hopeless romantic and chartered away while she worked.
She thought it was very sweet what I had planned and couldn't wait to see the video..
"I'm so gonna upload it"
She tilted my head as she worked on my goatee adding grey touches giving me an elderly look.
"I think you should try and talk with her first..like a stranger..and when she doesn't expect it wham! You propose"
"That's true" I said in agreement...to be Frank..I had almost forgotten the excuse I had used on Jossy and had almost hit on Wendy before she reminded me I was getting engaged tonight.
Glasses followed..and that really altered my appearance..the type of glasses that would make you think its medicated because of the frame..I thought I looked like a serious minded old man.
A grey sweater was picked with black slacks "typical old man look" she explained and I nodded..glad for the change of clothes..
"I'd package it for you for later tonight if you want"
"I'd change here don't worry..better to complete the look once and for all"
If she thought it odd that I wanted to dress up for a night event by 1:30 in the afternoon she didn't show it.
We had our squabble when she chose multicoloured socks and selected a leather sandal for me.
"No way" I shook my head "I like my shoes as it is"
" lemme do my job now..this thing is just once..hopefully you'd ask this question once in a life time..let's make it right"
We squabbled a little bit more..then I thought what the hell?
I relented..and I had to admit the look worked out better than I would have thought.
Presently Wendy was holding a cap the papa type..soft brown in colour..she was frowning.. Looking at the cap and my face as if she had special eyes to see what I couldn't..she shook her head and made to drop the cap.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you" I made to pick it up.
"But it defeats the purpose of balding..you..your head Justice took extra care on the hair"
I couldn't deny it the boy knew his job.
"Look technically speaking I paid for all this anyway and I need my cap." I put it on.
She shrugged in acceptance.
Last was a cane..she dismissed it.."that would be overkill."
I agreed but then eyed the walking stick..it looked like a suitable weapon.'so you're not satisfied that you put someone in the hospital abi'
'That one was a mistake I need it for safety'
It seemed my two friends were back on my shoulder again..this time I went with the pitchfork.
"Wendy..I think I'd add a slight limp..to round up everything I'd use the cane"
She shook her head as she handed it over.."I still think its overkill....hmm not bad"
She added as I practiced some steps adding a slight limp to my step. The handle of the cane was superb and as I held it I felt that sickening moment when the stick had landed on Alhaja's head the day before..I carried violence around me like a cloak so the wisest action was to move the violence away from my family and towards whoever..the chief..strange eyes..that snoring man at the hospital and now this Dr.Rasheed I don't care how they share it as long as my people were safe.

I laughed to myself when Wendy made a point of stepping outside while I changed. I obsereved the final effect and was wowed..I looked old and scholarly..ethnic would definitely be Yoruba..thanks to the marks on my face..
I considered running into the chief somewhere where he wouldn't recognise me..I could get him alone and get..
The door opened as Wendy interrupted my thoughts..poking her head in "I thought you were still changing o..I wanted to know why...since morning"
I limped out of the room.."so how long can this look last"
After tonight you can wash it off..remove the eyebrows and mustache..its just the hair style.."
"I think I'd like playing this kind of pranks on my wife..can you work out different looks?"
She nodded enthusiastically "I'd start working on it..I have your face buried in my memory anyway"
"Excellent..so I'd get your number?"
"My number?" She frowned..
"So I don't have to pass through Jossy every time..I tried a charming smile but suspected it was scary. "The back door is more fun"
She seemed to agree to this and she gave me her number..I made to leave.."tell Jossy I'd send the video once its developed."
Her eyes widened "won't you go and see her?"
"Wendy.." I sounded old!.. "Jossy is a very busy person..I have seen her too many times for one day already"

Papa Rex tasted sunshine for the first time around 2:05 pm he limped down the street with the cane in hand and seemed oblivious to the stares sent his way..he cut quite a striking figure..and the limp seemed to add personality to his very movements.
"Daddy eka' saan" (good afternoon)

°•°•°•°•°•°•
"Afternoon my dear" I responded to the lady who greeted me..I was beginning to feel quite old now..but I Wondered at the Yoruba people threw my way..living in Lagos a basic understanding of Yoruba was a requirement. As long as nobody took me too deep..I would be fine.
I made my way to the bus stop..thinking of my impending trip to the hospital..to meet one Dr.Rasheed, no appointment. My look made me feel a little bit calm..like I could observe those who always observed me without me knowing.
I boarded a bus and I could tell the people were surprised at the way I balanced and held on to the roof of the bus..my bones were youthful...and far from dry.


°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°••°°•
The general hospital was like most general hospitals but this had undergone recent changes and renovations in the past few years.
Still it was a mad house! Every hour was rush hour in there and I found myself fighting against the swam of bodies..from doctors to nurses..to patients to cleaners..
A lady pushing an infant on a wheel barrow while bouncing her back to coo the baby tied with her wrapper back to sleep. Pushed past me...climbing my leather sandals..and my weak left foot for that matter..
"Please direct me to the diagnostic center"
"Baba s'e kosi?" (Hope no problem)
"Not at all" just direct me na...!
She rattled of the directions in Yoruba pointing here and there..I nodded as I tried to grasp everything..
It took me ten minutes of limping and seeing every sign imaginable..from optician, dentist,dermatologist..finally I accepted I was lost "excuse me" I asked a lady nurse "diagnostic center"
She supplied the right directions and I moved on..marvelling at the size of the hospital.

Diagnostic Center 1. Diagnostic Center 2.
I stated at the door for seconds trying to decide which one..the man hadn't specified..I tried the first and it opened to reveal a cluttered room choked with test tubes, what I took to be an X ray machine and other instrument alien to me.
In the middle of it was a table with Formica top..clattered with clip boards..and a crate of about a dozen test tubes which thankfully didn't contain any blood. A short man..sat scribbling furiously at the table..his mind lost in whatever he was engaged in. I advanced towards the table and began to suspect that he was soon short his feet wouldn't touch the ground under the table.
I reached his table and he still hadn't brought his head up..I tried to read what he was writing but it seems all doctors are the same when it comes to handwriting.
"Yes..where is the urinalysis?"
I was quiet...urine analysis??
He looked up impatiently then saw he was talking to an old man..
"Sorry..I thought it was someone else..what do you want?"
"I'm here to see Dr. Rasheed"
He didn't blink "do you have an appointment?"
"No..no appointment"
He pointed to an adjoining door which had to lead to the next room.
"Wait in there..the Dr. Would be with you shortly"
I wobbled my way to the door limping and feeling his eyes boring into my back.

I entered the 2nd center through the adjoining door..and while the 1st was clustered this was spacious with just a weight scale on the floor and a table much sturdy than the last. I took a seat as I looked round the walls were different health posters hung with messages about hygiene..anatomy..reproduction which was explicitly detailed and diagrams of bones.
I settled in a chair which was comfortable and anticipated a long wait.
The door opened..the same short man entered the office this time he had on a lab coat..he had a clipboard in his hand and once he sat down he began flipping through the pages.
I took the opportunity to study him..low cut..double glasses he had on..his eye sight must be bad..he had this freshness of skin and he was quite nice looking..but for the height..however he had a deep voice and large hands (to compensate) which looked like it could snap the pen he held.
He looked at me."What's your name"
I coughed playing the old man part "Rex Obasi"
He frowned "what is your predicament?"
Now I frowned.. Predicament...?
"What is your predicament?"
I was getting pissed..my predicament is I led my coworker and friend to an early grave...my fiance if I dared call her that was gallivanting around God knows where..I had endangered my family..and anyone foolish enough to call me a friend..and not to long ago I put an innocent woman..someone's grandmother in ICU

"What's your predicament? Short legs asked again spacing each word slowly as if each held a double meaning.
My brain clicked suddenly
"I have delayed diagnosis"
He nodded briefly
"Welcome.I'm Dr. Rasheed"

I nudged Andy awake by 5:30. He sat up his eyes not yet open. I placed the Mercedes keys in his shirt pocket..with a written note to the address of the crusade ground I parked the car the previous night. "Give this to Mona tell her to get it to Ada" he nodded sleepily and I thought:wake up Andy! You say your wife isn't a spy but you'll collect something like this no questions asked?
But why bother. I was tired..I had slept in an upright position and my neck was giving me hell..he was still stretched out on the 3 sitter.immediately I stood up his eyes flew open "where are you going?"
"Lemme check on the doctor."its morning already"
He nodded and slept back. I guess no work for you today too. I thought as I watched him.
I didn't see the doctor and had to head to the reception before I saw ant kind of life..The fat nurse Lady was already up and shuffling some files.
"Morning."
She looked at me "Morning"
"I can't find the doctor who attended to me last night..concerning my grandmother..we brought her in last night..the head injury"
She looked at me carefully as if picturing my face.
"You'll need to check back..the doctor is not around"
"What do you mean..how is my grand mother?"
"She is stable but she needs to be left alone..her skull is fragile..we just thank God..the stick wasn't very strong or it was someone with little strength that hit her..of course the cowards are always weak!" She spat the words out in contempt. And I nodded in agreement..it had to be the stick. weak ke?..thank God the stick wasn't strong..
Satisfied with this information for now..I eased out of the hospital..if I had to be at the General hospital that day I couldn't be found waiting around here when the police turned up..no way I was putting myself in that kind of situation again.
The street was already ripe with movement..I could hear the prayer call from a near by mosque..I stopped a bike and gave the address of the hotel I had lodged the night before..it now seemed a waste of money but I planned to get some rest.


I woke up hours after. the man in the hospital hadn't mentioned any time..and I had no plan to get there too early..I was in no rush to find out whatever life had dished me because the appetizer alone had left an unpleasant after taste. I had my bath then used my ATM..I needed a lot of handy cash for what I had in mind.
It was a well known make up outfit i headed to, they also ran an entrepreneur development program where they issued certificates "jossies make up school" wouldnt seem like the appropriate place to get my appearance altered but the jossie in question had been a childhood friend of my eldest sister Cynthia, and I had met her on different occasions when my sister came to Lagos to visit me.
I arrived at the school by 10 am sharp. I hadn't been here in over a year..the last time Cynthia came visiting with her family..females was the higher population of students learning there but the irony is I saw more male teachers..I located Jossy's office..knocked and stuck my head in. She was on the phone but her eyes widened in delight when she saw me. She gestured I get in. Her eyes still fixed behind me probably expecting to see my sister next.
"No problem..we have till Thursday..Alright thanks"
She put down the phone "Obasi..long time no see..una just put me for corner forget me abi"
Jossie was in her early fifties if I would guess but Cynthia said she was 49. She was busty and her hair was greying out already. But it gave her an aristocratic and older look when combined with her medicated glasses but she was beautiful and very jovial.
"Where our sister dey" she began opening a stainless flask. Jossie was a tea freak
"Cynthia still dey pH o" I replied thinking of how to line up my request without talking too much..because she also liked to talk.
"You must drink Tetley with me o..the weather is chilly"
"At ten in the morning? Find me beer jare"
She laughed but proceeded to fill the second cup.
"How about our wife Fome? Its been long o" she poured a healthy portion of milk into my cup then passed it indicating sugar in a bowl on the tray.
This was the perfect opening.."actually eh"..I turned the tea ignoring the sugar "that is why I'm here.."
She sipped from her cup and watched me intently..she liked stories oh yes she did.
"I want to propose to fome' tonight" her breath caught and she clapped in surprise "that is just wonderful..you two fit each other perfectly..that's wonderful!"
I'm not so sure..I thought to myself but smiled in reply as she said
"So what do I do..you just name it"
I went for it.."I want to play a little trick on her..what I need from you is to alter my looks..make me unrecognizable..grey hair..anything...its your field after all"
She looked at me doubtedly "what kind of trick"
"We are supposed to meet somewhere tonight..I'd be late then turn up looking Like this older different person then just get one knee then propose to her from nowhere.my friend would be videoing the whole thing"
That was the selling point.."that is soon sweet..I wish papa Andrew did something like that for me..instead its 'Im going to marry you oo' me self been dey happy that time..." She went off for some minutes then brought herself back. "I must see that video o.."
'Don't worry I'd get you one specially" I assured her.
She studied me closely
"Hmm..we could make you look 60 or 70..grey eye brows..grey head..but we'd have to bald you in the middle" she continued assessing me as I flinched in horror.
I touched my hair. weekly visits to the barber helped keep it at a certain level..but if I needed to be bald so be it..who afro help self.
"I think..fake tribal marks to alter your features..your cheeks are too smooth baby face....then..lemme see..."
She studied me more then.."wendy is in a better position..let her write the list but show me first before she begins anything.."
She smiled coyly as I stood up "anything she writes..you know you have to buy from Our store..they would be yours..I won't charge you for the work don't worry"
"Thanks jossy I'd bring the video once its developed"
I looked forward to having my features changed to an old man..jossy's make up team were insanely good and had been used in some high budget movies. When I turned up at the hospital for one Dr. Rasheed I didn't intend to be easily identifiable the way I had been. I toyed with the idea of calling Andy if he still had the key and dropping it off at the boutique with the note somewhere Ada or her mother could see it..they could look at me and see an old man..the thought was sweet. I waited on Wendy as she ran around getting different materials from Their store house. I reflected on what the man in the hospital had said.."the tip of the spear shall visit you"..Kidon was the tip of the spear in Hebrew and a section under the israeli intelligence agency MOSSAD which handled all killings deemed necessary by the powers that be was called Kidon meaning the tip of the spear...I laughed out at where my thoughts were going. 'Where did I even learn that one from' I wondered to myself..must have read it somewhere..but everything about the man's approach had been foreign..although i didnt pay him a seconds notice back at the hospital when he was snoring just few feet from me and Andy. (Funny how this our brain works)a
I watched Wendy's bouncy bosum as she approached me with bags.."All right..let's begin" she squealed.

'Remove headrest'
3 hearty cheers for bibi
Hip hip...
Criusly I doff hat for u..nice one

Bibi294:
Why you dey vex o

Na gori be baba o
A beg o

Baba dey vex o

"So you mean this strange eyes person is a federal agent?" Andy asked for like the third time
"Yes" I checked the watch this was 12:45pm. No word from the doctors since they had wheeled alhaja's body into the emergency ward. I think I saw something like 'head trauma unit' on the door.
It seemed the doctors had forgotten about us and a part of me was okay with that for the time being..if they forgot about us then they couldn't give us the bad news.
I had filled Andy in on my present status..homeless and extremely wanted..although I could see who couldn'treally comprehend the personality of the Chief. "How can someone who plays with that kind of money and is involved in many illegal activities be able to lay low all this while without drawing the attention of the law?"
"The DSS are onto him actually" I yawned..I was beginning to feel sleepy..after talking for an hour straight I was really tired.
"Then how come they haven't taken him down since..?so nothing from Fome' since"
It seemed Andy had no plans of sleeping..might as well have it out now.
"Andy..Mona isn't who you think she is" I waited from an objection from him because when it came to his wife..the sun seemed to shine out of her behind to Andy. But he was resigned quiet.
"She was cheating on you bro..I saw her today when I went to your home..she said it was the first time but.."I let the silence say the rest.
"Its my fault" Andy said quietly
I had been dozing but my eyes opened at once..I searched Andy's face expecting the worst.
"She refused to go off the pill..she doesn't want children..I don't know why..I found out she was still on it without my consent so I decided no sex until all the effects wore out".
If circumstances had been normal, I would have laughed and laughed. I shook my head at Andy in amazement "you practically fed her to the dogs then..you see a woman like Mona..haba now"
"But why wouldn't she want children now"
"Because her job can't allow it" I replied quietly. I had been debating whether I should reveal her identity too but decided if she could reveal it to me..then how much more her husband.
He looked at me vaguely.."interior designs?..she would have all the time in the world"
"True but I mean her real job."
He looked at me questioningly and I obsereved the waiting room..noticing the other man was still snoring away in his corner.
I replied Andy..lowering my voice "she is a federal agent Andy..she said she married you because of the chief and because we were friends and when i moved here with Fome she had to tie the knot with you..that was how she put it."
Andy looked incredulous "and you believed that..look Rex if you truly know me you go know say woman no fit play me like that..it can't work"
"Bro I say she dey taze this guy for my front..okay..you don ever see tazer for your house before?"
"Wettin we wan dey use am for?"
"But she hold better one" I struggled to control my voice "the guy wey she been dey with na the Chief first son..she tell me say she dey try use am track Chief"
He shook his head "Rex it is not possible..Mona DSS?. " he laughed I. Disbelief as he stood up. "Make I go hunt down that doctor..or that fat nurse them no fit just leave us like this na"
I watched him leave shaking my head..he was in denial simply! Didn't even want to consider the possibility..I mimicked the way he called her name 'Mona' 'Mona'...this one is jot Mona Lisa..Andy she cheated on you...his reaction had seemed resigned..and I had the impression he knew about or suspected it before..and I wondered if he was truly up front with me.
So immersed in my thoughts I was that I didn't notice when the sleeping man had stopped snoring..and gotten up. He put off the light and..I at first thought it was power outage then remembered the gen was on and could still hear it sounding faintly through the open window. My 'spider senses' no matter how late began to alert me to the snoring man..no longer snoring and the silence was a conscious one..the kind you had to be awake to maintain. My Insides began jumping again but I stayed calm and tried my best to focus I had nothing in my hand and I didn't think it wise to try to use my phone for light..that would give away my position ..
No sooner were this thoughts in my mind that I was grabbed by behind..in a solid grip..I felt it on my troat and a sarcastic part of my brain was like 'of course..Na knife remain' but the blade point was sharp and pointed and I knew this was no knife but a dagger.
"Please.."
"Shhhh...silence would advocate greatly for you.."
I was silent..his accent was strange..stranger still was the feel of the blade resting on my neck.
"Tomorrow you go to Apapa general hospital. Head to the diagnostic branch..ask for Dr.Rasheed..no appointment..tell him you're the one with delayed diagnosis"
"Delayed what?"
"Whatever he tells you..pay heed"
he moved the blade a bit..ensuring I went totally still..
"I..
"Tomorrow is the only open window yo will have..if not the tip of the spear shall visit you."
That didn't sound like a metaphor at the moment.
Where the hell was Andy?.
"Are u with strange eyes?'
The man tensed and I could tell he was offended I cursed my mouth that had found a way to annoy the one person I the world you shouldn't: the one holding the dagger to your throat.
He loosened his hold and eased away..the room was pitch black I couldn't see anything..I heard his voice and was relieved he was some distance away from me.
"Somehow you have landed in the middle of what you can not understand..Dr. Rasheed tomorrow..no appointment"
I stood still for almost ten minutes when I heard voices..Andy's and a deeper voice..probably the doctor..
"Who put off the lights" the doctor demanded as he put it on again.
I was alone in the room..no surprise there.
Andy came closer.."the doctor said her condition is still critical but he expects her to get stable before .morning "
I nodded.
"Mona called me..she said she'd be coming with Alhaja's husband in the morning..he's very old" he explained to the doctor who was studying me.
"Are you okay?" He asked me
I nodded "who was the man waiting here before?"
He shrugged, we have many cases every night..the hospital is this quiet because of our selfless service"
I turned to Andy "but you saw him abi,"
"Yes..that was sleeping..what happened?"
A word is always enough for the wise..and if I had been foolish before, I wasn't anymore"
"No o..nothing"
I looked at the doctor
"So she'll be alright?"

I was stunned "Alhaja?" That was Andy's neighbour "I thought she was a killer..the same one that killed Fome"
Andy looked at me in horror "My God!! What has come over you..? Since when did you go about hitting old unsuspecting women on the head?"
I bent down to feel her pulse..it was faint.
"We need to get her to the hospital quick"
I glanced around..wondering if anyone could see us.."switch off your lights first"
"God would punish that your mouth..look here Rex once we get her to the hospital..I'm handing you over to the police..the way you think and your actions..that isn't the Rex I know..now I believe you could have easily murdered Fumi"
His words cut me but then I thought about it..he was probably right..I mean I might have just killed a 70 something year old woman all because of my carelessness and fear..not to mention Fumi..my greed and cowardice probably cost her her life.
andy was shouting for his wife to bring out his car key. Mona ran out and her shock went through different stages..from seeing me with her husband..thinking I had been ratting her out,then noticing their neighbour out cold on the floor. "What happened to alhaja?"
Andy and I carried her down the steps..his mouth was drawn in a disapproving line and I feared he would tell his wife just how I had clobbed their next door neighbour on The head
"Alhaja fainted" I said in explanation this was the last thing strange eyes should ever hear
I began to say my prayer as we loaded her in the back seat. There was no blood and I
took this as a sign of hope.
"I'd call you from the hospital" Andy shouted to his wife as he started his car.
We sped towards the hospital. Andy had always been a very boring and slow driver always maintaining the speed limit. Most people made fun of him for this.but I knew his elder brother had been knocked down before his eyes by a drunk danfo driver trying to dodge the police. Andy and his brother who had been older with 2 years had been walking from church been discussing the way young boys do. Andy had been closest to the road..but sometime during their animated movements their positions had switched. Minutes after, the bus had come barreling and hit his brother with such force.
It was a known fact..and I had preferred taking public transport on occasions I didn't drive to work: Andy didn't speed.
But not that night.. The 'Alhaja' was slipping in and out of consciousness and I
was praying..leaning back frequently to check her pulse. Andy literally put the pedal to the metal and I was surprised at his smooth handle zipping through traffic at high speed like a formula1 driver.
A private hospital was the nearest and their response was swift. I had half been expecting Andy to point at me when we were asked what the cause to her concussion was. But he had said she was his neighbour and had been robbed by an unknown assailant who had fled from the scene when he himself had heard noise and come outside.
The nurse looked a bit sceptic but had nodded.."you'll need to fill this forms" she handed two different forms to mr and Andy. "Someone from the police would be here shortly to get your statements"
I hoped I didn't flinch visibly. Andy nodded too dazed to stand he sat down and I followed, we were the only ones in that side of the waiting room apart from a man who sat dozing at the other end.
"Tell me what's going on" we both stared at the sleeping man who was snoring soundly. Both of us seemed lost. I was thinking about my actions truly I had been an ambassador for violence in the past days. If this old woman lost her life I didn't know how I could live with myself. 'What if it was the intended woman would I have been able to stand it? I asked myself some serious soul searching going on...I only had to remember Fumi's lifeless eyes to decide I could do it.
With that logic..I could kill the chief then..after all he had unleashed the assassin on me..hadn't he..?
I brought myself back to the present Andy had asked me a question but looked like he didn't want to hear the answer. To late for that now because I intended to burden him with my woes

I been wan change my name to soloho19 before but I get feeling say gori go eff am up

I had about 3 hours before 10. So I decided to get something to eat and get accommodation out of the way..I couldn't keep on spending money like this..after grasping 250 mil then watching the it disappear..I was determined to be prudent
with my hard earned money. I wouldnt be surprised if strange eyes is with the papers. I stopped a bike and gave him directions to a close by inn. Nothing fancy I needed as much anonymity as possible.
I shut my eyes as the bike sped off..enjoying the feel of the breeze and making a conscious effort to stay awake lest I lean back in search of comfort.

What is that annoying sound..so familiar..? I forced my eyes open and located my phone..the alarm was ringing and ringing..I snoozed it and was about sleeping again when it started ringing...abi is it 5 minutes again so soon?..I forced my
eyes open then decided on having a shower again. It was 9:35 I had gotten something to eat, had my bathe then slept off..remembering to set the alarm for 9:30 which means I had slept the snooze time as well. I had chosen a hotel about 5 minutes from Andy's place and after having my bathe I checked my messages..nothing yet.although I still had about 20 minutes. I decided to get close to his house and wait for his message.

As I passed the night clerk whose office was behind the door. I had an idea..I backtracked to the office
"Good evening bross" he sat up thinking I was a new costumer.
"Well done o..na me dey room 22"
"Okay well done bros..you need anything..?" He wiggled his eyes suggestively "we get many gals Ooo"
I had lots of frustrations going on with me but sexual frustration was down the list..maybe number 3"
"A beg this your cap na him I want"
He touched his cap absentmindedly "my cap?"
"Abeg I go tear you 1k"
The clerk looked at me in surprise..the cap which was printed with the hotel's logo had seen better days and now had a faded look and stains I dared not contemplate.
Without wasting time.. The transaction was done and I hurried from the stuffy office with the night clerk hailing my retreating back.
I strolled to Andy's house, staying in the shadows on the opposite side which wasn't hard considering there was power outage and not everybody had their generator on. I checked the time: 21:52pm
I idly wondered when my clock time had been switched to 24 hour format..I hated it. I replaced the phone because the light made me stand out from the shadows..I passed by a woman selling Akara and yam and considered topping up the swallow I had eaten less than 3 hours ago (not necessarily out of hunger but who knew when next I'd be chanced)
I kept on moving and could see Andy's house in the distance..I placed my hand on my phone through my pocket to be sure it hadnt vibrated without me knowing. Nothing..I was adjacent to Andy's home and was considering standing under an empty tree or in the empty shop close to it when a form emerged from the shadows just next to Andy's home. His generator was on but his outside light was off and I was only able to make up the form by the little light coming behind the curtains of what was maybe the toilet or store of the house judging by the small size.
My breath caught in fear as I studied the figure..unless my brain was playing tricks on me that was an old person I couldn't spot the face well but I could tell it was the very same old woman I had seen in the women's toilet..the same 'old woman' Fumi had identified as her killer before passing away.
A part of me hoped she would pass on..but when she stood at Andy's porch in contemplation I knew I had to move fast..I dropped down noislessly and searched the ground around me..still keeping my eyes on the woman as she took her first step towards the house..my hands picked up different rubbish.. Coke can, papers small stones..but nothing heavy..I knelt down in desperation and moved my arms randomly with much speed. I grabbed a stick..it had moderate weight but with enough force..it could knock any one out cold..not to mention an old woman..by this time she had climbed the 3 short stairs and was wobbling her way to the door. I bent down and moved towards her..quickening my pace but spacing my legs so as not to make any noise with trouser friction..Any noise and she'd turn at me and probably gun me down..and that wasn't an option. She seemed to be going for the bell without knocking or trying her luck with the door and as she raised her finger just inches away I was upon her. She began to turn at the last moment probably sensing my presence I brought down the stick hard..catching her on the side of the head..she went down easily.
Things happened at once..my phone vibrated..I heard feet from inside Andy's home then :"I keep forgetting to put on this outside light whenever I put on the gen"
The light came on illuminating me and the old woman..I looked at her face and almost fainted..that face looked familiar..but I could swear she wasn't the one who pointed a gun at me earlier in the day"
The door opened and Andy stopped short as he stepped outside "Rex..I just sent you a text..let's go to my.."
His eyes widened as he saw the woman..then the stick..he looked at me in horror.
"Rex..My God..what have you done to Alhaja?"
C

like your name..this piece is like salt to the pot of soup that is suspense literature..keep it coming..wouldn't mind a little action tho