lekkxydinho:
You see what am talking about? This dude is simply the best among the best. See how he's putting everything together one by without contradicting each other.. You be best bro.... Please, as the story is getting to an end, kindly drop your bank details for all readers, so anyone that wants to show appreciation can have a access to it.

You gave us this awesome story for free without directing us to any blog to complete it or to request money from us before completing it is what makes you deserving of every penny you get from this story.

Drop it or I'll help you drop it.

Verily verily, now i know, God has really blessed me with wonderful readers. Thanks for being one of them sir. I appreciate it.

adamsbadoo:
wow !!! ....I Can't believe my eyes when i first saw "Dedicated to the birthday boy ...."....a whole episode....

TBM, i appreciate alot.

Uwelcome bro, av fun .. But make sure you send me my own gift ooooooooooooooooooooo..

Continuation of 145.


"I think so too. A lot of questions unanswered."

"but do you trust your mum not to hide any truth from you?."

"I trust her with my life. If not for anything, atleast you heared her telling me how she doesn't like the lady one of my brothers brought home. I know her for not shying from anything called truth no matter how bitter it is." I explained.

There was temporary silence from the other end. "if thats the case, then it leaves us with one thing..."

"and whats that?" I asked curiously.

"someone doesn't want to expose you." She declared.

"how?"

"your mum doesn't appear to know of your past judging by your earlier conversation with her, unless, " She emphasised on the last word twice before she continued. "unless , no offence meant, she's a perfect pretender..."

"which I seriously doubt...." I reiterated furtherly.

"so, going by that claim, I think its either, your wife's younger sister, Nike, sticked to the promise she made in the text she sent you on the day you first attempted suicide, you remember?...."

"hmmm, yes...that if I know whats best for me, I should stay away from her sister and Chris...."

"perfect. It means your disappearance have made her keep the secret to herself, orrrr," She emphasised on the 'orrrr' again to catch my undivided attention.

"or what?"

"or she only told your wife about everything and they both decided to make it a secret..."

"but why would they do that? I mean why would they keep it a secret?"

"its true we women are not known for our strong suit at keeping secrets but perhaps because their mother was involved. Remember, she gave birth to your child, they will want to keep the bad side of their mother away from outsiders and I think thats enough reason."

It took the digestive part of my brain three precious minutes to fully digest everything Therapist Sarah just said. "hmmm, which means, my friends are also in the dark?"

"probably, but except that your friend that you said was at the hospital with you...."

"you mean Lewis might be aware of everything?"

"its possible...." She claimed.

"No, I don't think so. There's no way the whole thing would have remained a secret if he's a part of it. Another word for Lewis is gossip. He can't control his emotions."

"hmmm, then going by your assertion of him, and if truly, he doesn't know anything, then it means your inlaw, Nike is a master at handling situations like this. I admire her for that. How she would have managed to hide the situation of things from Lewis, when the latter would have definitely went back to the hospital the following day and found you missing? I can't even begin to think of how your inlaw would have handled the situation...."

"am not suprised o....I think I told you how she handled it when she saw me hiding under the bed in her mother's bedroom,.."

"yes, you said she gave you a thumbs up and never raised alarm..."

"that shows you how capable she is." I added.

"and such woman is capable of doing anything...." Sarah said ambiguously.

"what does that mean?"

"like how she still went ahead to sleep with you despite having a guess of what was going on between her mom, and you..."

"you are damn right. Can I call her crazy?"

"you'd be wrong unless you add 'smart' to it."

"a smart crazy woman?"

"perfect!" She remarked.

We both laughed briefly before Mtn gave me a low credit notification. I quickly ended the call and dialed 710 to purchase another 3,000naira credit.

"so, what does this latest revelation says about my re-appearance on sunday.?" I said after Sarah had picked the call the second time.

"it doesn't change anything. Infact, it only boosts your chances of getting your life back. You don't owe anyone else anything except your wife. Tell her the truth and confess to her sincerely"

"but what if Nike has told her everything?"

"it still doesn't stop you from doing your own part. And let her first hear from the horses mouth in case Nike never told her anything...chikena..."

"hmmm, how this conversation would have been more sense-making, assuming you are here...." I said with an awful tone.

"eehya...you are right...but this one too try na, except the thousands of airtime that payed for it."

"hun-hun, thats one of the advantages of being a rich man...."
We both bursted into laughter.

"see you next week when hopefully, I would have been with my wife and child." I said with optimism as I imagined what might happen next week.

"hmm, lets just hope the rain water from both your eyes will not flood your house away....."

"if it happens, I'll gladly build a new one..." I joked.

"another advantage of being a rich man..." She teased sarcastically.

I smiled at that. "take care please." I said with almost a teary eyes.

"pyne...pyne." Sarah replied in a baby tone.

I withdraw the phone from my ears and stared at the screen for twenty precious seconds unable to touch the red icon.

This is the type of person that makes pressing the red icon a difficult task.

Do you have such PEOPLE too?


TBC

Dedicated to the birthday boy. Adamsbadoo. Age more with grace.

Happy new month famz. Four more updates and the Epilogue. Countless will be over.



145. COUNTLESS.



Evidently, I was feeling queasy-like as I approached the door with a growing apprehension in all the individual components that collaborated to form my 32years old body. Mind you, this door am approaching remains the only thing standing between me and what I anticipated to be the dreadful, complicated and most delicate moment of my life.
Without mincing words, the door am about to knock literally appears to be the only thing standing between me and the task of facing Adejoke, my wi...fe, the woman I had abandoned at the hospital on the night of our wedding which (as at the time of this event) was already over three months ago. Not to mention all the bad things I'd done against her in the past.

I prepared myself mentally and took a very deep and solemn breath. A breath I hoped will ursher into me the strenght needed to overcome the daunting task ahead.

I opened my eyes and before I knew it, the knock has landed on the door from my hand. I swallowed hard and waited for her voice to invite me in. Five seconds passed but no voice was coming forth. I became more nervous as I prepared to deliver another knock on the wooden door. I squeeze my eyes shut and sent another knock against the door, albeit louder this time around.

"come in...the door is not locked..." That came the reply from the room.

Hearing that alone was enough to make me turn around and run away from the looming warrant am about to face but just because I've already prepared my mind to see this through no matter what, therefore I was able to muster up the courage to open the door and step inside the room with a very slow step.

Little or no glancing around was all that was required of me to locate her position inside the room. There she was, evidently sitting on a chair beside the computer desk that virtually aligned with the big bed. Her face was filled with total shock, no...not shock, shock is like an understatement. Shockhorror is the rightful adopted word.

Her eyes instantly possessed by shockhorror upon sighting the idiot that has brought nothing but pain to her life and to take matters to the superlative of bad (worst), he had ran away on the said night while leaving his injured wife and child to the mercy of death.

Sighting that horrific look on her face, I swallowed hard quickly and was completely dumbstruck.

"what tha hell!?" She blurted out and dropped the mouse in her hand. She stood up and leaned against the desk so she could stare daggers directly to my face.

"am....am...am...." That was me stuttering nervously while she maintained that frightful gaze at me. "Jo...ke...Jo..Jo...ke....ple....please..let...."

"get out!" She suddenly screamed ontop her voice.
I was frozen to the spot, evidently finding it difficult to choose between complying or disobeying her order, hence I remained rooted to the same spot.

"please...am begging you to hear me out....its the devil...." I managed to tell her that after she reduced the hard look on her face.

But as I put another step forward thinking she's getting soft, she blurted out again.
"I SAID, GET OUT NOW!" She picked those words one by one and declared with a very firm tone.

"please, am begging you....let me explain....please Joke, let...."

She shook her head slowly in a pathetic way and started approaching me. She got to few inches from me and stopped.

Suprisingly, she smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder before talking.

"Mr Dare, calm down. You are still not getting it... You have to do it the way I advice you to do it, unless you don't want it to work." Therapist Sarah said in a relatively calm tone.

"how again? What am I not doing right?" I voiced out with a frustrated tone. I was getting tired of the whole mental preparatory thing. This last rehearsal makes it the fifth time we have been doing it and she keeps on cutting it midway saying am not attatching enough emotion to it.

"please, calm down,..." She stated calmly. "lets have a sit." We both settled down on the available chairs in the room.

"make no mistake, this thing we are doing is very important. You need to be very prepared mentally and very well to boost your courage and confidence to face her...."

"I know, but don't you think the fact that you are not really her, might scare me off when I eventually see her?"

"hmmm, you are right...but...."

"maybe thats why its not working."

She pondered on my claim briefly and rested her back against the chair.
"so, what do you want to do now?"

"as how?"

"should we stop or find another method to prepare your mind?"

She asked with a tone that makes me feel like she thinks am not appreciating her efforts. So in order to excavate those thoughts from her brilliant mind, I said, "hmm, maybe we should give it two more tries, and if it doesn't work...."

"then you will have to get to that bridge first and hopefully, you'll be able to cross it. " She completed for me.

"good.,..."

"lets go again." She said concludingly and we returned to the rehearsal.

_


At past four in the evening of the following day, which was a thursday, I was having my usual workout session inside the gym section of the hospital when the ringtone of my newly purchased S3x phone rang out. The sound still seemed very strange to my hearings since I'd spent the larger part of the last 3 months of my life without phone or internet. Even, it wasn't until two days ago when I started using the Atm I retrieved from my car that I decided to buy the phone and two new simcards. I still had more than fifty-five million naira in my savings account.

I had a separate account for my car dealing business. Unless my accountant, Mr Adamsbadoo, whom I had tested and confirmed to be an honest man with integrity have changed otherwise, I have a strong belief that my business will never be affected by my absence and discreet whereabouts.

"hello my awesome therapist" I said to the phone after seeing the caller I.d as T.P Sarah.

"how are you doing my wonderful client?" She asked in the same jovial tone.

"hmm, am doing gym-ically fine."

She released a small chuckling sound. "is that your way of telling me you're working out at the gym again?"

I smiled. "I admire your 5g way of thinking...."

"thats good of you...clap for yourself..."

"I'll do that later, one of my hands is presently busy...."

"see you. You can't just stop being funny, can you?..."

"gawd knows I tried to stop, but it just keeps happening, sadly, its out of my control..." I replied with an arrogant tone.

"I know you'll say that...."

"are you saying you have the ability to see what will happen before it happens?"

"seriously you are damn right. Infact, I admire your 5g way of reasoning." She said in a tone that means she's using my own words against me.

"perhaps you can tell me what will happen on sunday when I eventually meet my wife..."

There was a pause from the other end. She was probably caught unawares by my question.
"you want my candid opinion on that?"

"yes, I want to hear the opinion of Sarah and not the Therapistical one...."

"okay,...." She paused. I quickly changed the phone to the left hand and sat down on the divan beside the entrance while anticipating her reply. "unequivocally speaking, I think....I think there will be multiple rainfall on that day..."

"like seriously?"

"yes o, thats the candid possibility."

"hmmm...."

"except this time, the water will not be falling from heaven..."

"ahahah, see you, you don spoil am. Where does rain water come from if not heaven? Abi na from inside fish pond?"

She laughed at that before talking. "to be precise, the rain water will fall from the eyes of two beloved lovers namely Adejoke and Oluwadamilare...."

"hun, abi Adejoke and Oluwadarousmart...."

She laughed again. "Oluwadarousmart Ko, Satan-darous-dull ni..."

"chai, see remix..."

"you better start acknowledging your real name before you get to heaven and they tell you Darous is not registered with them."

"thats not a problem na? And I will quickily do affitdavit right there..."

"who go do am for you? Besides who told you that they are doing such in heaven?"

"they are doing it. All I need is just 500 copies of inter-heavenal passport and a permanent voters card with my WAEC result and the Inec in heaven will declare me qualified to enter heaven...."

"ah....this is serious. Lets assume you are right, who will do the affidavit for you?" Her question carried a great sense of humor that confirms she's equally enjoying this conversation.

"who dey do affidavit for heaven?" She asked again after noticing my hesitation to reply.

"who dey do am before? No be the same same angel Uriel wey do am for Saul before he became Paul still dey do am?...."

"ahahahahahah....no kill me with your unbiblical blasphemous laughter ooooo...."

And that was the statement that signalled the begining of the two minutes of laughter that followed.

The laughter eventually died down before she changed the topic to the reason why she called.

"Mr Dare, which of your friend's number do you remember off hand?"

"which of them?"

"any of them...."

"why do I need to remember any of their numbers?"

"ok. I was thinking if you can atleast call one of them to verify whats going on in that part of the world so you can have a hint of what to expect before going there on sunday..." She explained comprehensively.

I got into thinking mode after her sensitive explanation to try to see if I can remember any of the said numbers. But after spending more than twenty seconds of uninterrupted silence on it, my brain told me to give up. The only numbers that were popping up in my brain were just the crammed plate number, engine number and chasis number of the car I parked outside. And they are un-diallable numbers.

"any one?" Sarah's voice jolted me back to the present.


"none at all..." I replied disappointedly.

"not even that of Jide? Your closest buddy?"

"I remember..."

"then..."

"I mean I only remember the 080 but I can't remember its remaining
desciples..."

She laughed again.
"poor you. You remember Jhesus, but you can't remember any of his desciples...."

"don't blame me na, atleast I remember the line inside the phone those spider thieves stole from me... I dialled it yesterday ganself but it was switched off..."

"you say?"

"The line was switched off when I dialed it." I repeated.

"thats of no use. my airtime is about to finish, let me get airtime and call you back... Use that chance to think of any other number that can be useful to us." She said.

"what of my mummy's number can it work....?" I said when I suddenly remember it.

"hmmm, yea, lets try that...."

"let me call you back. I still have enough credits to read the whole contents of Edet lives in Calabar to you."

"funny you..." The line went dead after that.

I called her back and she told me to make a conference call to my mum so she could also listen on the conversation and below was how it all went down after my mum had picked the call.

"hello..." I said with a scared tone cause I don't know how much damage Nike has done in my absence.

"hello, ta lo n soro?(who is talking?)" My mother replied in the local dialect.

I paused briefly to prepare myself.
"its me mum, Damilare...." There was a sudden shout of joy from her when she heard the introduction.

"Damilare mi, eh, Adigun iko, omo olokun ola, omo kinikan, o fi kinikan...." She continue to voice those primitive euologising address to the website of my head. I didn't have the luxury for that but since I've known her, there's no way of stopping her once she has entered that mode unless she coughed. I don't have any choice than to listen and pray she coughed very soon.

"sorry ma..." She eventually coughed and I heaved a deep sigh. I started formulating ways of asking her questions that will make her reveal the situations on ground for me before she shocked me with the next thing she said.

"oko mi, (my husband) se o de daa bee? (is it good like that?)"

Geez! Thats it. Nike and Joke have told her everything. How am I going to handle this now?'

I could hear the low breathing sounds of Therapist Sarah from the other end. Evidently, she was also affected by what my mum just said.


"erm...erm..." I fumbled for what to say to my mum but couldn't find anything until my mother spoke again.

"bawo lo se maa travel lale ojo igbeyawo e, nitori business? Too maa fi iyawo e sile nikan? (how can you travel on the night of your wedding because of business?, that will now make you leave only your wife at home)" She said with a concerned tone.

At that moment, my mind was in a very confused state. It was as if I was in a frenzy. I don't know what to say or do at that tensive moment. But as I was still ensnared in that situation, I heard a silent whisper saying 'BEG HER.' I instantly knew it came from Therapist Sarah.

"am..am sorry ma...." I said slowly, still not sure of what to expect from her.

"sorry for yourself. Se ko sa kin se pe tori obinrin mii lo se travel? (hope you didn't travel in the disguise of business to meet another woman?" She asked.

"ah, rara o..(no oo). It was strictly for business ma..." I answered.

"hmmm, a fi ko yaa je bee...( it has to be like you say)"

"bawo lawon aburo mi?(whats up with my siblings?)" I intend to change the topic with that question.

"they are doing fine o. Dare, do you know that Ayobami brought one Oloju yoboro girl to me last week that he wants to marry her, I don't like that girl one bit. She can't dress decently and she doesn't have respect atall. To greet person na wahala...."

"how is Eniola? have she finished her Masters?" I said that to cut her off, since there is a third party listening to our conversation.

"Eniola? She's writting her final papers next month o. I pray she pass out in flying colours."

"what of walking colours?" I chipped in teasingly.

"o tun ti bere? (you don start again) ma je ki owu se e lese...(don't let jealousy to kill you)." That was how we started our usual mummy and son comical jests.

That Eniola is the most brilliant of us all.

She was still in Js1 when she first helped me to solve the logrithim assignment I was given in ss2. She always run away whenever I offered to help her do hers.

In our house, we always tell anyone Eniola can't help with assignment to consult the oracle.

"so, se o de ti de bayi? (so are you back?)" My mum asked along the line of our conversation. That question caught me off-guard, as I don't know what reply to give but as fate would have it, Sarah was on standby to bail me out.

"erm, yes, thats why I called you..." I answered back.

"then let me speak with your wife. I've not been able to reach her this past month. Her number is not going. Is she there?"

This time around, I didn't need any Sarah to feed me what to say. As an experienced liar myself, I was able to reply her convincingly and the call was annihilated thereafter.

"hmm, I think something is going on." That was Sarah's voice after I'd ended the call with my Mum.

Shelyklose:
I guess TheBlessedman na amaka.. Em don keep us waiting sotey we don dey lose weight for his "updating soon"

keep calm bro, am updating soon... And that soon surely expires today. Am still typing it as at the time of this comment. Keep calm and await the update that will shorten the life span of this story to only three episodes. Thankssssssssssss

adamsbadoo:



TBM, today is my birthday, drop update for me abeg..

wow! Happy birthday 2 ya little under-40years old self. May God grant u all the necessary strenght to desist from all those thing that will stop u from witnessing more 180 versions of this days inWhateverYOUbelieve's name. Amen. Cheers bro.

Updating soon.

cenaman:
monitoring spirit, TheBlessedMAN how do u know he is a first time commenter?

Lolsssssssss...just by checking all his previous posts...

TemiGURL:
You are truly theblessedman. You are the best dear. I love u

Awnn, am technically flattered dear.. Love you too

Yemike:
Oh my gawd! I just don't know what to type right now. You're just so so amazing.

Coming from a first time commenter, am humbled

PrinceOFprince:
God bless you 4 thiz upda8. It made me remember that exciting season film. Merlin. Right now, i feel like watching that movie again and again and again like a 500times like Darous. interesting is how yhu managed to relate that wonderful episode to Countless. Yhu are indeed a genius. Pure talent.

Am technically humbled bro

toluxad:
.

Space Booker's...Weldon

"Mr Darous..." She called again abeilt very low this time around.

"yes?...." I said. My heart was starting to beat faster. Lumps of saliva have started forming in my mouth. I swallowed hard again and started fidgeting with my hands. Am getting more scared with each second of silence that passed. Am scared of the possibility that her request might pave way of getting me back to my old life seeing as I might shylishly accept whatever request she wants to make of me. She has done alot for me in these dark periods of my existence and am afraid turning down her request might make me appear as an ingrate. Let me hope it doesn't come to that.

'why worrying yourself about something that has not happened? Why the paranoia thoughts?' A voice told me from within me.
I took solace in those words and relaxed a bit.

"promise me you will do it...." Doctor Busari spoke after the prolong silence. Her face was very sober and sour. The cause of it is what I don't know.

"do what?" I asked with a confused tone.

She sits upright and locked gaze with me."promise me that no matter what, under whatever circumstance, you will always consult me before concluding on taking your life...."

'Ah!' Did you hear that? That sound of deep sigh of relief that just escaped my lungs and nostrils?

So this was her request? What took her so long to say that?

This woman eh, she must be a drama leader when she was in secondary school.

"you see...." She continued after getting my attention. "this world has gotten so bad to the extent that you can hardly see one good person out of a thousand people while the rest are bad peoples. Am telling you from experience...Its very comforting to find you among the few good ones and it will also be very devastating to see you vanish untimely from this world. Your death doesn't help you, it doesn't help the people around you. It will only tend to give them pains. You've got the tendency, capacity and resources to make this world a bit more hospitable for the less priviledge... Do you know how many beneficiaries that benefited from the monthly donations you were giving this hospital? Those people owe you their lives... Please, am begging you...." She locked her palms in a pleading pattern. "please, don't be so selfish anymore....please...."

I sighed again at her concluded statements. With everything she has done for me and the kindness in her words, then its only logical to question the reason behind the name of her hospital. NO MONEY NO TREATMENT.

I wanted to ask that but a knock that landed on the door hindered me from doing so.

"yes? Come in..." Doctor Busari answered.

The door opened and Nurse Bose poked her head inside to deliever her message. Which says; The therapist has arrived.

The next thing I did? Well you don't need to have A1 at guesing before knowing what I did. All you need is just a grade that displays the homosexual kissing of F and 9. 'F9'.

_

11 WEEKS AFTER.

Inside the office where Sarah and I always have our sessions. She has come again today to continue what we have been discusing for the past ten weeks. Today, she was claded in an ankara blouse and skirt with a head tie adorning her head. The tails of her weaves rested comfortably on her shoulders.

Therapist Sarah sighed and produced another smiling face that got me asking myself how someone could be so masterful in the acts of smiling.

I understand the reason behind her sigh but the smile was another thing. Its starting to look like a mandatory part of her profession.

"so, what do you want to do now?" She asked and returned her elbows to the table. She was looking at me more directly with those adorable set of eyes.

"well, am confused...seriously am very confused." I answered with a shrug.

She pondered on my words for thirty seconds and readjusted her posture to an upright one.

"can I advice you?"

"sure...you can..."

"how about you doing it the hard way. And to me, its definitely the right way..." She paused.

I scoffed and shook my head with a confused brow. "I don't understand..."

"let me be more literal. There is a saying I love hearing whenever am re-watching that exciting BBC adventure movie titled Merlin.... Have you watched it?" She asked expectantly.

"yes...like five hundred times already....."

"oh! Really?" Her face brightened.

"yes...."

"then you should know this statement uttered by lady Morgana to Arthur when the latter was finding it difficult to decide between helping his servant, the dying Merlin to get the antidote of a very poisonous leave which can only be found in caves beyond the Forest of Balor or following the orders of his father that goes against it...."

"and Merlin would die without the antidote..." I chipped in as the scenes of that episode began to display in my mind.

"yes...remember what Uther said when Arthur told him that he can't stand by and watch Merlin die?"

I coughed gently. "he said; Then don't look...." I replied in Uther's voice and Sarah gave me a thumbs up for that.
.
"that shows what a douchecanoe Uther is. You can't blame him though. Arthur is his sole heir and needs to be kept safe at all cost. The journey to the Forest of Balor is too dangerous and risky. Infact, it was generally believed that people that have gone there in the past have payed with the ultimate price. Arthur was split in thoughts. He couldn't just stand by and do nothing while his servant continue to suffer the fate that was meant for him, had he - Merlin not took the drink. The antidote is just a dangerous forest away, but what could he do without disobeying his father's command?

Apparently, as fate would have it, Morgana goes to Arthur and says that Camelot would rather have a king who would save a servant at a risk of his own life than one who simply did what his father told him to..."

"hmmm..Morgana...."

"Mr Dare, the one that caught my attention was this one. Her exact words were; sometimes you've got to do what you think is right and....."

"and damn the consequences.... " I completed for her and she smiled.

We both smiled at eachother.

"Mr Dare, do you know how that episode relates to you?"

"no....I don't have any relation in Camelot..." I joked.

"funny you. I like your sense of humor. Its a nice gift, don't lose it..." She remarked and my head swelled up to a two storey building level with those words. "back to what am saying, this part of Merlin perfectly depicts the image of your life...."

"how?" I cut in curiously.

"listen....if I'm to go by everything you have narrated to me about your pasts ordeals, then it won't be odd to claim that your life is like that episode of Merlin. Except this time, you are the Arthur. King Uther is like that unseen force that you said has always been stopping you from doing the right thing. The dying Merlin in this scenario is your broken marriage, life, status and other things. Camelot in this perspective is your beloved wife. Adebisi or whats her name again?" She asked.

"Adejoke..." I corrected softly.

"yes....now let me paint everything to you in a larger understandable frame. In the words of lady Morgana, Camelot would rather have a king who would save a servant than one who simply did what his father told him to. Now, as a woman myself, I would rather have a man who is willing to accept his shortcomings no matter how grave they her, and willing to make amends as my husband than a man who runs or shys away from it. Under proper phenomenom, thats the true definition of a real man and thats who every woman desires. Am talking to you as a woman myself..."

"understandably...but how do I get my Camelot back?"

"am getting there...." She assured. "the chances are too slim but they are worth taking. Now to have any chance of getting back your Camelot (your wife), you need to first save your dying Merlin which in this perspective stands for your life, relationships and Marriage. That means you must do what is right and damn whatever the consequences might be." She ended conclusively and rested her back against the chair.

I was lost in deep thoughts. This woman's words have gotten to me. Her comparative analysis about my own life is so mesmerising and thoughts provoking at the same time.

"but how do I save my dying Merlin? Seriously am confused." I cried out with a strained tone.

"its simple...by facing your greatest fear." She paused and returned her elbows to the table. "just go to your wife and come out clean with her...chikena!..." Again, her words ushered in a new sets of silence all over the office. My heart and mind were working at a speed of light.

Thoughts, bundles of it, started flooding into my brain. Imaginations of what might happen if I followed her advice escorted thousands of 'what if?' questions to my mind.

'what if she doesn't want to see me?

What if Joke's love for me is not enough to earn me a forgiveness talkless of a second chance?

What if my explanation is not enough to convince her?

What if coming clean later proved to be a costly mistake?

What if Nike remains a sworn enemy forever?

What if...'

"I know you are lost in deep thoughts...." She cuts in while I maintained a thoughtful thought at her face. "I know, I know deciding to tell the truth all of a sudden seems too weird for someone who....no offence, has never seen it as an option before, but am telling you that its the best thing. Its never wrong to tell the truth no matter the case because, the truth is like a Lion. You don't have to defend it. Just let it loose and watch how it will defend itself...."

"are...you...sure?" I asked with a shaken voice.

"I've never been more sure about anything. Truth is a Lion and no animal can withstand the strenght of a lion." She concluded.

For the upteenth time that day, her words succeeded in sending me back to school of thoughts.

'she said no animal can withstand a Lion, but what if Joke and Nike are the Dragon in Merlin?' I asked myself.

'then you'll have to get a Dragon Lord'. Another inner voice told me.


TBC.

144. COUNTLESS.


The following day arrived very slower than I'd anticipated. And when I say slower, I mean very very slow.
Maybe it was due to the fact that I'd spent the whole night awaken with the expectation of it.

Normally, I wouldn't have been so worried when 11:55p.m of the previous night refuses to hand over to 12:am of the new day, but just because of that special face and voice I was looking forward to seeing and hearing again, I became eagerly agitated.

As fate would have it, 12:am eventually arrived and I wasn't satisfied yet. Though, 12:am is also very important, but all that matters most to me at that midnight was the arrival of the tenth sibling of 12:am - which is 10:am. Mind you, the reason why the arrival of 10:am seems very important to me on that day was basically because I knew that special face would arrive along with it.

Yes! That face that has kept me giggling all night each time I imagine it..

Yes! And that voice that has given me the reason to smile again.

Plainly because of my raging eagerness to see her again, ten hours suddenly seems like a long time.

Pending the time of her arrival and based on the fact that sleep has eluded me, most of the things she told me the previous day started replaying in my mind.

One of it was when she said my pain is the breaking point of the shell that encloses my understanding.

How so true! No wonder I've been unable to reason like a normal person these past few days. The pain I'd been absorbing since my traumatic experiences began was definitely the one sponsoring the suicidal thoughts in my mind. Instead of letting it out by sharing my burdens to atleast someone, I'd resulted into habouring it and that was the reason why the traumatic experience was too overwhelming for myself alone.

Truth be told, I felt a strange feeling of relief, better put, something in form of an inner peace after I'd finished narrating my whole ordeal to therapist Sarah. Her comforting hugs and soft talks also did a lot to my recently found peace of mind. These are the cogent reasons why I couldn't wait to see her again.

At 7.am on D.O.T, I went to take my bath inside the bathroom situated inside the ward. I brushed my teeth and performed all other morning rituals with the believe that 10:am would have arrived by the time I'm done. But unfortunately 8 was still half on its journey to 9 by the time I returned to the wardroom.

"ahh!" I didn't know when I released that frustrated exclamation while I was still staring at the wall clock hung on the wall opposite the bed. I hurriedly put on a small barcelona shorts and a UNICEF sleeveless top - one of the few cloths Dr Busari had bought for me.

I placed a chair close to the place where the wall clock was situated and climbed it. "maybe the battery yaf died...let me check." I removed the clock and turned its back. I removed the battery and touched it with my tongue. It discharged a sharp but little current in my tongue which indicates that the battery is okay. I hissed and returned the clock back to where it was before.
I stood at akimbo and begin to formulate on how to make time pass quickly. I can't wait to see her again.

"what can I do to this time o,..." An idea crept to my mind at that instance but it was a stewpid idea. "fast forwarding the clock will only work in this ward alone. It is not a universal logic. I need a universal one....which one is that oooooo...........yes! Yes!! Why haven't I think of this earlier? Thunder fire my shadow. Nonsense and vernacular."

I got down from the chair and moved quickly to the bed. I dusted it well before getting on it.

"best way to kill time is by sleeping. Make I sleep small...." A knock from the door sounded at that moment. Thinking it might be one of the nurses attending to me, I answered from where I was. "yes, come in..."

The door opened and to my uttermost disgust, Nurse Faith emerged from the doorway. I stiffened my body at the sight of her.

Seeing her made me remember how she had wanted to rappe me on the first day I opened my eyes in this ward. The nauseating thought of watching her do it again was enough to make me became very alert when she flashed me a sinister smile from the doorway.

'What's she doing here? I thought Doctor Busari said she has exempted her name from the list of the nurses that will be attending to me? What is she doing here again?'

Nurse Faith sensed my fear and worry about her presence, so she just walked inside and stopped near my bed while I remained in my lying position.

"good morning Mr Darous..." She greeted with a smile but her politeness was met with a frown on my face. I deliberately did that so she could know I'm not happy with her presence.

I don't want to give her any green light to send me back to the College of Waywardness I just dropped out from.

No! I won't let her artikulate my return to the daura I wasn't ready to return to. Not now, not ever. I declared strongly in my mind and got prepared for whats to come.

.
.
Not minding the look on my face, she continued anyway. "its like you are not in a good mood shey? Well just want to tell you that the driver has brought your car...." She announced to me and my mood was forced to change a little with that news. A simple smile erupted on my face. Her news has just eradicated the fear in my mind.

A day ago, I remember asking Doctor Busari to help me get someone to bring me my car from where I'd parked it in front of the brothel since two weeks ago. I had thought the car might have been stolen but apparently I was wrong. Hence the smile on my face. Since am not planning to die again, its only normal that I start caring about my properties.

Faith noticed the smile on my face and took that as a cue to smile back.

Seeing that also, I quickly squeezed my mouth and maintained a cautious look at her. However, she still has that daffy smile on her face. Perhaps, little did she know that I was still angry at her. I felt like springing up and giving her a protest slap on that beautiful but brainless face of hers. A slap that will make her see me as a devil instead of the handsome one she's seeing on the bed. A protest slap that will send a strong message to the feminine community that am done with letting my d!ck and looks be my own private tutor on the journey to doomland.

Therapist Sarah's effort to bring the lost sanity back to my mind has to yield profitable returns and am ready to climb the highest mountain to help her achieve that feat.

Just when I thought the frown on my face was enough to make her desist from making any funny
move, I received another suprise when she quickly retraced her steps towards the door and locked it from behind.

She started approaching me in a cat walk motion. She stood beside my bed momentarily and was bitting her lips in a seductive way for the next sixty seconds. She eventually got tired of molesting her own lips and sat down on the edge of the bed. I on the other hand was very at alert. I was studying her with a look that was anticipating her next move. I was so determined to deal with her seriously. No! I won't let her send me back to my wayward life.

Faith swirled her tongue in a circular motion before talking. "Mr Darous, whats wrong? Why are you frowning your face at me? Is it that you don't like me?" She asked when she confirmed the angry look on my face.

I choosed to remain quiet to her incensant queries. The best decisions in life are best made in silence. Engaging her in a conversation will only give her the chance to sweetalk me into doing what I don't want to do.

I will be silent as long as she doesn't touch me. But if she put as little as a finger on my body, then I will have no choice than to retaliate in an un-gentlemanly way. Maybe then, she would see the need to abort this seductive mission. This is a changed Darous.

She coughed gently. Her eyes still fixed on my hard face. "you know, since the day I saw you here, what have always wanted is to be by your side. I don't know why, I just like you. Its not kuku as if you are giving me money or food, abi na, I just like you...." She ranted on and on with a hand demostration for every word she says. I maintained my cool but couldn't help but wowed at her foolishness. I just can't imagine how a young lady like her could be so shameless to the extent of selling herself to me. All in the name of my 'HANDSOMENESS'.

"Mr Darous, don't you like me?...." Her voice interrupted my thoughts."talk na? Am I not good enough?"

"what is your name?" I spoke for the first time.

"My name?" She asked with a feeling of suprise. Suprised and glad at the mere fact that I was talking to her.

"no, my name..." I replied with a sarcastic frown.

"am, Faith James. Am from Benue state. My favourite dog is bulldog, my mum is a woman....."

"oh my Gawd!" I lamented frustatingly.

"what? I'm...."

"hold it...." I cut in. "wait a second...." I got myself sitting with my back rested against the wall. She was now side-facing me. "Faith, can I ask you a question?"

"ofcos you can. Anything you ask, I will answer. Be it current affairs, politics, but no mathematics...."

"promise to be honest?"

"why not? I swear to be honest and if I don't thun...."

"eh...eh...hold it... What I want to ask you is, how do you do it?"

"do what? I don't get you..." She talked with a confused expression.

"I mean how do you manage to stay foolish all the time?" I dropped that hard with the hope of getting to her nerves. "have been trying so hard to figure it out. How a young lady like you could be so foolish to the extent that even animals are better than you. I mean how can you be so foolish to the extent that the word 'foolishness' was given a human face?"

"Are you saying am behaving like a foolish person?" She cuts in with a finger pointed against her chest.

"no..no...please don't misquote me...please don't mince my words..." Pointing at her I continued. "Faith, what I mean is, you gangan, is foolishness as a whole..."
"but..."

"but what!?" I shouted at her. "you still don't get it? Then, it means you have a lifeless brain...."

Awkward moments of silence followed my last speech. Nurse Faith was visibly shaken and dumbstrucked by my harsh words. I understand am too mean with those words but I couldn't careless as long as my meaness served its purposeful purpose.

Gone are those days when I would have jumped at the opportunity to get my konji inside her pusea. See where that has landed me? No family and no friends whatsoever. Just enemies like Chioma, Nike, Beatrice and so on for me.

"would you like to check it out..." Faith's voice interrupted my thoughts. I squinted at her face trying to remember what she was talking about but it was then that I noticed the tears in her eyes. Hmmm, those kryptonites again.
Instead of letting it get to me, I quickly avoid her face and starred blankly at the ceiling.

"what do you say? Would you check your car now?" She probed further and sprung up from her seat.

"humm, yes, no... Thanks. I'll check it later." I told her softly.

"okay, would you like to have your food now? So you can take your drugs too."

"you want to give me food?"

"no, I'll tell nurse Bose for you. Doctor must not see me here atall talkless of giving you food." She informed and sniffed hard.

"hmm, yes...please tell her to get me pap and moin-moin."

"okay." She replied and left. Minutes later, nurse Bose appeared alongside another female nurse. They have both came to give me my food and medication. They left 20mins after.

What transpired between nurse Faith and I, and the way I treated her, call it wickedness, name it cruelty, christen it unkindness, or ordain it apostle of brutality, I don't care, as long as it worked.

_

Moments later, it was the sound of another knock on the door that woke me up from my short nap. The nap I deliberately took with the aim of killing the time.

This time it was Dr Busari that came inside.

Today, she was dressed in her usual lab coat while her hair still remains the same. I also noticed that the vampire lipstick on her lips the previous day has vanished. Its either she was lucky to find a zombie to suck it off or she had rather rinsed it with water, whichever, she appeared corporately.

"morning Mr Darous..." She greeted after settling down inside the chair beside my bed.

I sat on the edge of the bed and faced her.

"morning Doctor...." I replied with a smile.

"how are you feeling?"

"physically of emotionally?" I asked with a simple smile.

"it won't do any harm to know how you're feeling in both aspects right?" With a questioning brow and simple grin, she asked.

"you right. Physically, am better now. Emotionally, am getting there..." I answered honestly.

She shook her head in an up-and-down motion as she appeared to be considering my words."well, am glad the department am taking care of is better, and I believe by the special grace of God and the help of your therapist, your emotional aspect will be okay soon. Trust me..."

I released a scoffy smile at her remarks.

"by the way, I heard nurse Faith came here this morning..."

I was a bit suprised at that but I maintained a straight face.

"what did she came here to do?" She asked with an intimidating look.

"uhm..nothing...she only came to tell me about my car...." I answered elusively.

"I see...have you checked it?"

"no...not yet... I slept off after eating and taking my drugs and injection..."

"okay..." She said and ended with a pouted lips.

"I want to thank you Doctor. I know there's no way I can ever repay you for all your kindness...but be rest assured, I won't be an ingrate..."

"hmmm...so nice. I appreciate the fact that you appreciate our efforts and sweats to reconnect you to your real self, but there's only one way you can repay me...." She paused and stared at me with a narrow look.

"what way?" I asked curiously seeing as her intentional silence was starting to get me uncomfortable.

Most especially, that look in her eyes. They are saying a lot of unspoken words which I couldn't understand at the moment.

Wait, I think I've seen those looks before. But I can't remember where and on whose face.
Please, someone should remind me where.

Ah! Yes...I remember now. Its the kind of look that Doris, Joke's mother gave me on the night she told me she wanted me to help her with birthing a male child.

But why is Doctor Busari giving me that same look again? Does she has a similar request to that of Doris? I don't think so. But this her silence is deafening. Why is she silent?

What if she's going to ask me to do the same thing?

I've had my suspicions before and with this her silence, am starting to think my suspicion is about to be confirmed.

No wonder she has been treating me for free for the past two weeks.

But what could she ask of me o. A male child? Or set of twins? Two twins or three twins? Hmmm, when am not a male pig, I'll rather run away from this place if she asks me to do any stewpid thing.

.

raynobz:
Keep it up bro. I enjoy ur story very much, ur use of language, the comic inside, and even including present happenings into the story (Artikulating) .

thanx boss. I app it

immacul6:
If I No Coment Ehn The Kind Tin Way God Go Du Me No Go Gud Ah Ah Boss If To Say They Don Borm U For Shakespare Tyme Ni Wahlahi The Guy No Go Reach

chai, see the height of flattering.... Shakespare? Abeg no kil me o. Don't u know that the 'Shake' in his name alone is enough to make me lose my brain, not to talk of the 'Spare' in it. Abeg o...

Elviswifey1:
Nice one.more greace but seriously u need to round up conclude this story b4 it loses its flavour.my own advice though

thanx 4 d sincere advice o... But I already hinted before that d next 7 or 6 updates will end the story. Or why do you think I typed more than 19000words in d last episode? Even the submit engine did nt permit me to update the whole 19000words at once which was why I had to break it into two. Anyways, U shud know me. I don't start what I can't finish. Thanx anyways. I app it.

Wheezdohm:
One thing i like about you..is your time to time inclusion of comedy in your all sweet story....which one is body-strial? Copied from industrial shea....you deserve a knock on the head

Lols....but i thought knocks are meant purely for doors, which one be my head again?

Adesina12:
This is well constructed epistle
I can't believe this myself that once upon a time a mate in tear hero's reader is entertaining us like this
The setting, choice of words, adjectives used in description, choice of place of events etc all well blended
3 gbosas for you Darous...I am proud of you
Sweet popcorn for you dear

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, boss, thank you sha ooo. Na u be the fuel wey dey power my private jet with your comments ooo

pFolar:
Ftc.

Soo lucky to jam this update now.

BTW, This update makes me to ask myself, can someone who claimed to have never attended the four wall of a university come up with something sooo mesmerizing as this? Geez! This is brainstorming. Pure talent at work here. No doubt. The sky is your starting point.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, am just lucky to have people like you here. You av no idea of what impacts your comments always have on me. Thanks

Icebreeze:
Nice one bro.
The story is captiviting, shango will be your muscle.

Shango wey don dey fork up.....we no get light since the past five months and shango never strike nepa office... That deity is overrated jare

donaldphilipizu:
nice one,,I gonna gv u accodale 4 dat

Lols.. I look forward to that ooo..

ChizzyMaris:
Wow, so lovely.. I'm happy for Darous, life has given him a second chance.

Really? So this calls for celebration abi?

Kesscy:
is quite d best i’ve read since starting dis story dis epistle is heartwarming thanks once more waiting for more updates soon don’t keep us waiting too long.. respect mahn

Thanks bro, but I'll try my best boss

143 Countless cONTD...



"nope. My real name is Oluwadamilare."

"really?"

"yeap..."

"awnn..cute names just for you alone...."

"you can say that again..." I smiled.

"i'm happy that you are smiling..." She teased.

"you make it sound as if its a strange thing on my face...." I countered back and the teasing look on her face was quickly replaced with a serious one.

"no, no, not atall...its just that it always makes me feel happier whenever I see smile on the faces of people that has suffered in the hands of this complicated world....you know life is but a pendullum oscillating between fear and hope. When it swings to fear, things that make you happy disappears quickly, likewise when it shifts to hope. Apparently, the smile that just appeared on your face are plain confirmation of a brighter days ahead. Which I strongly see you approaching very soon..."

"you can't be sure of that...."

"trust me...." She stated with a convincing tone.

I released a deeper sigh and settled my gaze back on her face. She gave me this look that makes me feel like pouring my heart and mind all out on her. Although I've doubts that she will possibly hate me once she hears my whole story, but an inside voice was telling me to give it a try.
I coughed gently to prepare myself for what am about to say.

"gesundheit..." She said to wish me well.

"maybe sessions like this have worked on others but the more I look at it, the less I see any brighter future for myself."

"hmmm....but what makes you say that?" She asked softly.

"you see, as I am, am a total failure. I've ruined my own life and future with the things I've done in the past....things I've done, if you hear of it, am afraid you will never want to be seen with someone like me ever again...."

"oh, comon? Why don't you try me...bring it on, you know a problem shared is a problem solved...."

"you sure?"

"I've never been more sure about anything..."

"hmmm....alright. I'll tell you. But one thing you should know is there is no amount of blame you want to give me that I have not tell myself already...."

"I promise, am not going to blame you..." She stated with a convincing smile.

I dragged my seat closer to the table separating us and begin to talk in low but audible tones while she gave me the best attention I've ever received in days. "here is the story of my life......"

__

So it took me more than 1hour to complete the most saddest human experience known to mankind. I started from my meeting with Beatrice through Jide, my relationship with Adedoyin, how I married her, my involvement in her death, how I allowed Chioma to entice me into doing a lot of awful things and so on. The betrayals, unexpected events and dangerous situations were also not left out in my narration. Therapist Sarah, along the line of my narrative, held my palms softly in her hands and was frequently giving me a passionate nod that makes it more easier to open up to her.

"so, how did you arrive at the conclusion to end your own life?" She asked with a concerned tone. I looked at her and started shaking my head. Obviously, her question have opened up the memories of Joke, Doris, Nike and Chris's part that I've been trying to bury deep inside my mind.

I squeez my eyes hard as the memories of the bad things I've did to Joke and her family started pouring in. I tried hard, I tried my best to stop the tears, but they seem to be too strong for my willpower to hold. I started sobbing in that instance. To my suprise, therapist Sarah left her seat and came to me. She gave me a bend-down side hug while I was still sitting down.

"shhh..its okay..just let it out, let it out. Your pain is the breaking point of the shell that encloses your understanding. It is the bitter potion that which the physician within you heals your quickself...dear, just trust the physician and drink its remedy in silence and tranquility. Believe me ,you will be fine..." She ministered those comforting words to me while I continue to sob quietly in her hug.

Eventually, the sobbing subsided all thanks to the pillow comfort that her massive brest was giving my head and cheeks. Gawd forgive me for this.

Instead of returning to her seat, after using the back of her palms to wipe off my tears, she decided to sit on the desk so she was more closer to me.

Everything she did was enough to strenghten me to start talking again. So I explained to her about how I got to start living with Joke, Doris her Mum and Nike. The incident that happened the night Doris sugarcoated me into agreeing to start having sex with her all in the aim of having a male child.

Make I no delay you with every details of all what I told her up till the very day of my wedding and the suicide attempts that followed thereafter.

By the time I looked up to Sarah's face after I'd completed my story, what I saw was an emotion trigger. Her beautiful eyes was indeed an awful one to behold. Heavy tears were roling down her cheeks while the ones still in her eyes were waiting to be born officially.
As you already know from time, seeing tears in the face of a woman has always been my own kryptonite. This tears on Sarah's face are special tears. They didn't get there of their own volition, rather they were there simply because the owner of the eyes they occupied was too moved by the story of my life.

I had no choice than to feel pity for myself and for this woman before me.

That was the reason why I rose up suddenly and gave her a warm embrace which she welcomed with open arms. We started weeping nonsense to eachother's shoulder henceforth.

We stayed like that for more than twenty minutes before our emotional battery shut down. She was the first to withdraw from the embrace. She stretched her hands towards her black handbag and brought out a roll of tissues. She mopped her face first before doing the same to mine. I feel loved again!

"its been long since I felt that way for anyone...." She said after we've both returned to our respective seats. "but your story....hmmm....its quite touching....by the way, how's your wound?"

I placed my right hand below my ribcage where the bandage covering my wound was located in attempt to feel if its still hurting. "I think its getting better. Thanks..."

"nice to hear that..." She paused briefly to check the dial on her wristwatch. "its already past two, I think....." She was still saying when a knock landed on the door.
"come in..." Sarah answered the knocker and seconds later, Dr Busari walked in.

"am I interrupting anything?" Dr Busari exchange glances with both of us. Perhaps she said that after seeing the way our eyes were watery.

I returned my gaze at Sarah expecting her to reply the 50 old woman.

"no....we are just rounding off." Therapist Sarah replied her as she started picking her things and getting up at the same time.

"okay....I take it your time together was sucessful then..." Dr Busari asked again with a questioning brow at Therapist Sarah.

"infact, it was the most sucessful I ever had with any of my clients before now...." Sarah expressed with a satisfactory smile and walked towards me.
"we continue tomorrow, okay?" She asked and I nodded affirmatively. She then exchange pleasantries with Doctor Busari before proceeding out of the door. The latter followed her out while leaving me alone in the office for up to five minutes before she returned.

"lets get you back to your ward, so you can eat before taking your drugs...." Dr Busari informed.

I rose up instantly and followed her out to my private ward.

_

I'd just finished eating and taking my drugs. So I was left alone with my guitar to play in the ward. While playing on the guitar, I remembered my session with Therapist Sarah. It was quite a fruitful one. How everything went emotionally for both of us. I remembered her smiles vividly. Those pleasant smiles that dominated that alluring beautiful face of hers. Her grins also I remember very well. But most importantly, what I will never forget in a lifetime was the tears in her eyes. She shed them on my behalf. The tears caused by my narration. Those tears are special. Yes they are!

I touched my right shoulder where all her tears have landed while we were locked in weeping embrace, hoping to still find it wet but unfortunately, the stewpid ceiling fan inside the ward has done its job. It has dried it without my consent..

I rose up from the bed and headed quickly to the toilet. I got there and stood in front of the wall mirror. I smiled at it and the reflection I got was a slowly rejuvenating Darous. A confirmation that further bolsters the claim of Sarah that Psychotherapy is better than antedepressants with her analysis. I returned to my bed and smiled again at myself.

Odd isn't it? The people that has destroyed me in the past, that has ruined me with overdose of affection and attention were all women but here I was, in a place where its the same sex group that is giving me a glimpse of the beauty of what life can offer. That thought alone is enough to make me smile again.

Apparently, I'm also smiling because I knew I would see her face again. Its only a matter of 24hours.


T.B.C

This is definitely the longest episode on Countless. It has more than 19,000words. I did it to make up for the prolong absence of update. Thanks alot for your understanding.

By the way, the medical facts stated therein this update are purely from the imagination of your amateur writer. Abeg no crucify me for any wrongness you see. Thank you.



143. COUNTLESS.



>>BACK TO PRESENT<<


The memories of every pain I'd suffered right from when I started having those suicidal thoughts, up to the very moment I gained admission into Dreamland started surffing through my mind the instance I finished remembering the ugly incidents of the past 13hours.

Silently, a tear drop escaped from my eyes while I was staring at the white ceiling of the ward. The realisation of the fact that I'd earlier decided to end my own life because of everything I've been through was enough to make me start sobbing quietly on the bed.

'ah, God, please...this pain is too much.... I can't take it no more!....' I cried out mentally in absolute pain as the memories continue to replay in my mind.

To remind me of her presence in the room, Dr Busari, - (the same doctor I'd called to bear me witness two days ago at my wedding, when Chioma had caused trouble for me) - dragged a chair and settled down beside my bed.

"you have no idea how shocked I was when I saw you standing in front of my car." She said. "God forbids, what would have happened if I had not seen you on time? What could have happened? I just can't imagine it..." She paused when she noticed that I was still crying profusely.

"hmmm...." She sighed briefly and checked the hanged drip on the pole. She stood up and removed the niddle connecting the drip to my hand. She then pulled the blanket over my exposed konji and returned to her seat.

"Mr Darous...." She called softly. Her soft voice caught my attention and I turned my head towards her in anticipation of what she wanted to say.

"Mr Darous, whats going on with you?..." She questioned with a confused look and concerned demeanor. "what could be so devastating for you to have prompted you to arrive at taking your own life? Am yet to understand...."

"do..ctor...." I cut in, still with teary eyes and plaintive voice. "you don't...you don't know how I've suffered in the past few days..."

"hmmmm...." She sighed. "while you were still unconscious, I did some tests on you and all I could confirm was that you are really and gravely stressed....whats going on with you? This man lying on the bed is not you, honestly. This thing in front of me is nothing but a dilapitated version of the happy man that graced the premises of this hospital some months ago....whats happening to you? What happened to that man that brought Florence, a victim of a hit and run driver to this clinic? What happened to that man that payed all treatment expenses of Florence? A girl he met due to circumstances? What happened to that man that use to say 'helping people is like reaching an orgasm for him? Do you even consider what would actually happen to those that depended on you? What happened to that MAN!" She said with emphasis on the last word.

"that man....was a liar and a cheat..." I told her with a silent tone.

"I don't know the gravity of what happened to you, and seriously, I don't care about that. All I know is you are very selfish in your decision...yes, selfish! This world would be damn if it looses someone like you! I mean...I mean......am......" She battled for what to say for more than three times before I decided to end her frustration.

"Doctor please, am hungry...."

She stared at me blankly and it was then that I saw the tears that was warming up in her eyes.
"I will talk to you later about this...." She stood up and walked to the other side of the bed. She carried my left hand up and began to untie my hand. She checked the bandage wrapped accross my rib and sighed satisfactorily.

"you promise you will be fine?" She asked with a squeezed look after returning to her earlier position.

"yes doc...." I replied weakly.

"okay...." She proceeded to untie my right hand. I manage to sit upright when she finished. Even though the pain I felt from my rib and elbow tried stopping me from doing so but I didn't allow it.

I wrapped the blanket across my waist.
"can I get down to ease myself?" I asked her as she was just staring at me.
She nodded affirmatively and helped me to get down from the bed.

She led me to the entrance of the restroom inside the ward.

"I can ease by myself doctor..." I told her when I saw that she was preparing to follow me into the toilet.

"I know, I just want to make sure you don't do anything stewpid to harm yourself inside that place. " She pointed inside the toilet.

"here?" I queried and took a quick peep inside the toilet.

"yes..."

"only dettol is inside here na? And its inside a plastic container...."

"and who told you that drinking it is not enough to harm you?" She squinted again.

"and who told you I'm going to drink it?" I countered.

"are you not peeing again?" She asked with a feigned frown.

"not with you standing close..." I said and used my hand to cover my d!ck region.

"ah...see you..." She smiled sheepishly. "do you know how many times, I've bathed and touched that tiny thing in the past ten hours?"

"seriously?"

"do I look like am serious to you?"
"hmmm...." With that, I ignored the funny look on her face and went inside to discharge my liquid loads.

"what would you like to eat?" Dr Busari asked me after I'd returned to sitting on the bed. She stood at akimbo before me.

"can I get garri and groundnut with cold water?"

She maintained an askance gaze at my face after I'd said that. "out of all the nourishing foods in the world, na garri you vote for?"

"why not? If its the only food that can artikulate well with my weakened body...."

"hmmm....okay. Lets get it for you. But, no cold water....its not good for your health, atleast not now..." She explained.

"okay. Moti gbo...(I've heard you.)

She turned around and started walking towards the exit, but she suddenly stopped and turned around. "ehn, ehn lest I forget, I'll arrange a psychoanalyst for you very soon...." She informed from the doorway.

"a psychoanalyst?" I asked with a frown.

"yes...." She answered.

"What for?" I queried frankly.

"you'll know soon.... What do you say?"

I contemplated on whether to question her further but decided to drop it. "okay..." I told her and rested my back against the wall of the ward.

Dr Busari left the ward and returned 8mins later with another nurse - named Abosede - who was bearing the requested garri and groundnut inside a medium size tray in her hands.

_


Two weeks had passed now since I regained my consciousness inside the V.I.P ward of the No Money-No Treatment hospital.

Due to all the sufferings I'd suffered in the hands of women in the past, it was kind of hard for me to believe at first that Dr Busari had no hidden agenda for all the supports and free treatments her and her group of sychopant nurses has been giving me.

I was being treated and handled like a kid.
They were always at my beck and call. Safe for the occasional cries in the day and wailings at midnight - everything was slowly getting back to normal for me. All thanks to Dr Busari, who claimed I was only reaping from the seed of kindness I'd planted in their Hospital through my donation.

Although, on my request, she also promised or better put, swore to me that she will make sure my presence in the hospital remains descreet. Hence reducing the number of nurses attending to my ward to just three instead of the initial six.

***

During the thursday of the second week of my stay in the hospital, promptly at 10a.m the following day, Doctor Busari came inside the ward to announce to me, the arrival of the psychoanalyst she had arranged for me.

She was off-duty on this said day, therefore she was claded in a skirt and blouse ankara attire that exposed every curve on her slender and 56years old body. She wore her hair in plaits and safe for the heavy red lipstick on her lips, she was close to perfection.

I on the other hand was plainly clad in a white overall cloth. I was having a solo fun with the small guitar Dr Busari gave me during the first week when she entered the ward and told me the psychoanalyst had arrived.

I stopped what I was doing instantly and followed her out of the ward.

Two minutes later, I was sitting inside a medium size office and ultimately in front of an office desk that separates the sitting position of a young and beautiful lady that Doctor Busari informed was the psychoanalyst.

"I'll leave you two alone while I attend to other things.... I hope you both have a fruitful session." Doctor Busari stated with an ebullient smile and walked out while the lady in front of me followed her out with a smiling gaze.

A moment of silence followed the departure of Doctor Busari until the therapist decided its time to begin.

During that moment of silence, I seized the opportunity to access properly the appearance of the lady in front of me.

She's chocolate in complexion, probably between the ages of 26 to 29, she can't be more than 5ft tall when standing. I assume.

She's relatively well composed and heavily endowed in the frontal region of her chest.

She was claded in a blue sleeveless dress that was covered at the top by a black jacket that perfectly accentuate her modesty.

She must have noticed that I've been studying her all the while seeing as she opted to coughing gently to get my attention.

"Good morning...." Her voice sounded so cool and accomodating.

"morning...." I replied sharply.

"hmmm....care to tell me why you withdraw the Good from the Morning?" She asked nicely.

"excuse me?"

"I mean, I greeted you with a polite gesture of Good Morning...."

"yes...."

"but you replied with something I percieved as a direct contrast....care to tell me why you did that?" She rested her elbows on the desk and stuffed her jaw inside the comfortness of her palms.

"I..don't know....am...am not just in the mood to be cheerful this morning."

She withdrew her jaw from the palms and readjusted her elbows to a 'L' position on the table.
"okay thanks for your honesty. I think that will help us a lot." She expressed. Every word she said was always accompanied by a smile.

"now, lets get started. Am Adedoyin Sarah, and I'll be your therapist from now till when you don't need me anymore..."

"but what makes you think I need you at all?" I interrupted her quickly. "Tell me what gave you the idea that you are in anyway better than the antidepressants they have been feeding me here since last two weeks?"

Therapist Sarah was caught offguard by my effontery at first but she was able to recover quickly. She interlocked her fingers and gave me another sultry smile before she started talking softly.

"hmmm....I think am starting to like this our session... Thanks for saying your mind out. I really like your style...."

"will you stop beating around the bush and tell me why this whole thing is not a waste of time?" I lamented frustatingly.

"you sound as if you are in a hurry..." With a narrow look at my face, she asked.

"yes, my guitar is all alone inside my room and its waiting for me...am also missing it already!" I slammed hard at her.

However, instead of getting angry, this young therapist just adjusted her posture again to where she can look directly into my frowned eyes and released a grin.

I reclined back on the chair and fold my hands across my chest.

She began to talk afterwards while I maintain my cool and listen on. "To answer your question on why this meeting is better than the drugs you've been taking, well, here is my answer..." I scoffed at that but she continued nonetheless. "In a world in which pharmaceutical companies bombard consumers with adverts for drugs that treat everything ranging from anxiety to ADHD, it's easy to regard a pill as the be-all and end-all to life's difficulties. Meanwhile research on the effectiveness of the most commonly prescribed medications shows that, truly these drugs can alleviate the symptoms in people with severe depression, even ones far worse than whatever you yourself might have been through.... However, this fact didn't stop Dr. Peter Kramer from claiming recently in a highly controversial New York Times article that antidepressants are good for almost all of what ails us mentally, even if we're psychologically normal or perhaps a bit neurotic.
What you might not know is that these drugs are not effective for moderate or mild depression symptoms. Do you want to know what's worse? Eh?"

"yes..." I nodded affirmatively as her words had started to interest me.

"Their side effects and interactions with other medications can make someone's psychological symptoms worse and cause serious health problems. As if this weren't bad enough, the majority of drugs intended to treat psychological disorders are not prescribed by mental health experts, but by physicians who in 15 minutes or less dispense therapy in a bottle without trying to address the patient's thoughts or feelings. The type of which am trying to establish with you here."

"you sure?" I chipped in.
She nodded affirmatively and continued.

"Moreover, the cost of these medications is adding to our whopping health care costs which themselves are tied in with the deficit, the debt ceiling problems, and escalating insurance premiums."

"but who told you that money is my problem in this case?"

"no one, and I never meant that...but for the sake of clarity, am trying to give you the imperative reasons why seeking the help of competent therapist to conquer the dark periods of our lives is far better than opting for antidepressants."

"hmmm, okay...go on..." I nodded.

"thank you... Now for example, in 2010, according to an IMS report, antidepressants were the second highest class of medications prescribed by physicians in Nigeria. Recording an estimated number of 93.6 million prescriptions. The annual total price tag was 11.6 billion U.S. dollars, which was 4% of all spending on prescription medications.
However, am telling you objectively that, psychotherapy is cheaper and more effective than medications for many of the problems that lead people to seek treatment. And again, estimates of psychotherapy's effectiveness, based on hundreds of empirical studies, are that it works approximately 75-80% of the time. And to me, that's a pretty impressive figure."

"really?"

"yes...yes...and believe it or not, psychotherapy is cheaper than prescription medications particularly when you consider its impact on your ability to achieve your long-term life goals....."

"and how do you know that I've got goals?"

"you're quite funny...well, everyone has got one or two goals to pursue in life. The only difference is when and how we approach it....literally speaking..."

"hmmm....thats really really cool...well nice meeting you..." I said with an extended hand placed on the table for a handshake.

She smiled and reciprocated my gesture.

"bingo! The pleasure is mine. But you haven't told me your name yet..." She chipped in after the handshake.

"Darous Emmanuel." I answered instantly.

"wow!.... What a beautiful name... Is that your real name? I mean is that the name you were given at birth?"

Continuation>>>


This is another temptation, no doubt about it. Or why would someone I have never met before in my life suddenly have the intention of having sex with me? She's a nurse, beautiful in her own lane, educated and endowed stature-stically. But, just because she saw my exposed abs and handsome face, she's willing to risk getting caught while forking with a patient inside a hospital ward?

This is nothing but temptation in capital letters and it carries the bold sign of the devil in it.

"oh my Gawd! Have been longing to touch this.." She declared with enthusiasm as she started stroking the lines on my stomach.

I maintained a thoughtful stare at her as she pulled out one brest from the confinements of her cloths. She motioned forward as if she wanted to place the brest in my mouth. It was then that I saw the need to do something but apparently my d!ck was telling me that this is an opportunity.

'Which stewpid opportunity is that? The same opportunity that has destroyed my life? No, not again. My handsomeness and konji has turned out to be my greatest adversaries. They have done nothing but attract ladies like this one called Faith to my life.

Though I can't get rid of my d!ck but maybe I should get rid of my handsomeness. Get an Ibadan tribal mark or an Oyo one. Perhaps, that way I might be free of this curse called Good looks.

I saw the lady trying to bring out my d!ck and it was then that I again realise the urgent need to do something quickly or else, I might create another problem for myself with my konji.

"hey stop!..." I shouted at her when her hands connected with my d!ck. She flashed me a nonchallant look and started teasing the tip of my d!ck.
"I'll shout o....I will shout o!...if you don't stop right now...." I threatened furtherly.

"you can shout all you want, no one can hear you..., everyone is busy in this section...." She replied with an enthusiastic grin.

"help! HELP!! Help!!!....help me!!!!" I continue shouting repeatedly but the lady never stop what she was doing.

I didn't stop shouting or wriggling until the door suddenly flew open and a female doctor that I instantly recognise entered with alarming expression.

"whats going on here? Nurse Faith!" The doctor queried the moment she saw what the said nurse Faith was doing with my d!ck.

Nurse Faith rose up hastily and bowed her head in shame, unable to utter any single word. She managed to return her brest back to where it was meant to be and continue staring at the floor.

"answer me right now...or are you deaf?" The Doctor slammed at her again but she still maintained that same look of sobberness.

"doctor Busari, please, what am I doing here? Why am I tied like a goat?" I interrupted with those worrying questions.

Doctor Busari glanced at me briefly before she returned her hard looks towards Nurse Faith. "get out now and wait in my office!." She dismissed nurse Faith.

"I apologise for whatever Nurse Faith did to you Mr Darous...."

"apology acepted quickly on arrival. Maam please untie me..."

"okay....but...." She hesitated.

"but what again?" I asked impatiently.

"i need to be sure you are you before I release this ropes."

I scoffed with suprise and said, "what does that mean? Am me ofcos....helping people is like rea...."

"are you sure?" She cuts in with a raised eyebrow.

"doctor..."

"you promise you won't try killing yourself again?" She maintained a squinted look at my face as if she wanted me to remember something.

"kill myself? Kill...my...self?..." My voice trailed off as her question returned my memory back to the ugly events that happened 13hours earlier.


>>13 HOURS EARLIER.<<


The sound that came after my hand started pulling the trigger slowly was unfortunately not from the expected source.

Had it been that it came from the expected source, my life would have sucessfully ended right there on the road.

Had I applied a faster force on the trigger instead of pulling it slowly? The son of thunder would have affidavitly become a dead man.

The sound that came up was truly a gunshot sound, and its effect was enough to make the one I was holding fall off my grip.

I took a quick shockened glance around after the gunshot sound and was met with the figure of a short, fat man, claded in a police uniform, approaching quickly from the other side of the road where my car was parked.
"drop your gun, get on your knees and raise up your hands! Now!" The man commanded from a few distance and he was pointing his gun towards me.

I wanted to comply but something like an unseen force keeps on making me see every life-threatening command as nothing but a bluffy bluff.

'if I comply now, this man will only arrest me and take me to cell, but if I disobey him, am sure he will be forced to shoot at me and hopefully my mission would be accomplished. Yes! Thats the best thing to do.' That was the thought that emerged as the gubernitorial candidate of my MIND'S POLITICAL PARTY out of millions of safety options available..

Hence, the next thing I did was, bend down quickly in an attempt to pick the gun but a shot was fired towards my direction at that moment, although it missed me, but the electromagnetic wave that escorted it was enough to stop my under-performing suicide attempt from going further.

I staggered to the floor due to the effects of the close range of the gunshot.

I hurriedly looked up towards the man and saw that he was still trying to get his gun ready to fire again.

I quickly searched for the gun I was earlier trying to pick on the floor but was totally shocked and confused when I saw it scattered in front of me. Obviously, the stewpid policeman had target my hand and he had hit the poor gun instead.

It was still very dark outside - safe for the lights coming from the brothel that was illuminating that area of the road.

'I can't let this man to catch me, its either he kills me or I help him kill me. Thats the only options available. This life is meaningless. The stewpid goverment should have legalise suicide a long time ago.' I thought and decided to try another luck.

Still determined to do all it takes to end my own life, I turned sharply and started running in the opposite direction of the road with the hope that the policeman will see that attempt as viable enough to shoot me dead.

"freeze!" Came from the short policeman that was running after me from behind.

'freeze ko. Daddy freeze ni. Too much american film wee nor kee you there...Just shoot me now...' I replied him mentally and continue running faster hoping that will be enough to make him quickly shoot me down but no gunshot was coming forth.

I was running faster now. I was taking every step with the anticipation to hear that important gunshot sound that will end my life of misery, abject pains and emotional traumas.

I took every step with the expectation that it should be my last.

*

I'd ran meters away from the brothel premises now but am still alive and still running on the dark and deserted road.

Now getting increasingly tired with every step, I glanced back quickly to check the policeman pursuing me but I was disappointed and dejected when I didn't see anyone. I stopped instantly to check again but no one was coming from miles down the tarred road. No vehicular or humanicular, or animalicular movement whatsoever.

I was totally disappointed.

'this man fork up! Stewpid policeman...' I cried out semi-loudly when the awful realisation of my failed plan to become a dead man sets into my depressed mind.

I dropped to the floor of the road panting heavily and still trying to catch my breath.

"how am I going to kill myself now, eh? With every bad thing I'd done to the people around me, how am I still sharing the same planet with them? How am I still able to be alive till now? How am I not dead? What the fvck is taking death this long to locate me? Where is that bas**rd agent of destruction when you need it? Ah!" I sighed exasperatedly and rested my back on the floor. I cocked my head to my right side and saw darkness dominating the possession of that area. I did the same to the left and got the same answer.

The flashes of how my wife had fell down the stairs the previous night - which was our wedding night played through my mind and I had no choice than to release the flood of tears in my eyes.
"Joke.....am....am....so....oo, sorry....am the mistake that has ruined...your...life....am the one suppose to be lying on the bed you are....am your mistake....."

I wailed loudly again when I remembered the stunt I pulled before she accepted me back to her life. How I'd connived with Jide and two of his friends to trick her into believing I was ready to die that day.

"Joke, you never should have let me back into your life. I don't deserve you...am your mistake....but be rest assured, this mistake will be corrected by the greatest teacherenemy known to mankind.... Its a sin to still be in this world where I've brought you nothing but pain....." The sound of an approaching car and its headlight from the downside of the dark road interrupted my thoughts.

Instantly, I rose up from the road cause I knew another opportunity just presented itself on a platter of gold.

I glanced around trying to look for where to hide before doing the necessary thing.

I saw a big Dangote truck parked closed to the road and quickly hide myself behind it.

The car was accelerating very fast and was now getting closer to my position and I was simultaneously preparing myself, my mind and body to embrace the inevitable.

"there's no way death will cheat me this time around. Have had enough of it...." I muttered to myself as the approaching car was barely few distance from me.

Suddenly, I left my hiding place and dashed towards the middle of the road and stayed there for the Lexus350 car and its controller to do the needful.

As the car got to few centimeters from me, I saw as the driver - who was a woman opened her mouth wide in shock but it was already too late.Unfortunately, she was able to swerve to my left hand side but apparently I was also able to notice this quickly and I motioned towards the same direction she swerved into and I was fortunate to make the big side mirror of her car knock me to the ground with a heavy landing.

At first, I thought I'd died when my hearing company suddenly went on strike and my eyes joined it on that body-strial action.. This continued for what seemed like forever until I felt a hand touching my head and lifting it up. Hence making my eyes and ears to cut off their strike.

I saw the blurry image of the woman holding my head but I couldn't fathom what she was saying.

I started groaning and writhing in pains on the floor. Blood was oozing out of my nose and coughing followed suit.

I felt it. Yes, I felt how blood was leaking out of under my ribcage - where the side mirror had infrareded with my body.

"I....just...ju..st wan...wan...t to..to...to d...die....ple...ase... Ki...kill...me....ple......ase....help...me...end...my...li...life..." I manage to stutter out. The woman holding my head was replying everything I was saying but I couldn't pick out was exactly she was saying.

Suddenly, she dropped my head slowly to the floor and I felt all alone.

All my body felt weak and weaker with every passing second.

First, it was the strenght to talk that fled from my body, followed quickly was the strenght to move any nerve, and before I could say JACK, the strenght to switch on my eyes joined them on this task of betrayal.

Moments later, I felt the presence of the woman again and the next thing I know was a needle entering my left arm and seconds later, I was on that unconscious journey to that place called - OBLIVION.


T.B.C

Please, help me and manage this short update. I'll complete it later. Thanx. Happy independence day in arrears to you all.



142. COUNTLESS.


"easy!! Take it easy! Mr...." Those were the first words that embraced my hearing company the moment my green card expired in the country called -DREAMLAND.

Frightenely, I searched around for the mysterious woman I met on my trip to Dreamland, but all that was standing in front of me was a lady claded in a nurse uniform.

Moreso, Unlike the woman in my dream, this one let her face and appearance stayed in one place. In simpler home-gadgetical terms, she's a V.C.D.

She has this overall appearance that makes her the perfect photocopy of a decently, clad version of Tiwa savage cos I don't want to waste my experienced breath in trying to describe her whole appearance to you.

Now, let me describe my new environment to you.
From the four walls of the room, to the ceiling, including the bed I was on, the sheet covering my half-claded body and the drip pole beside the bed I was lying on were all comprehensively painted in white.

"thank Gawd you are....." The lady expressed with a joyful tone but
the mental pain caused by the mysterious dream was affecting my concentration on her speech, therefore, I started weeping on the bed while staring blankly at the ceiling.

The lady noticed this quickly and I watched nonchallantly as she quickly turned around and started heading towards the exit with hasten steps.

After the lady left, I tried sitting upright but that was when I noticed the rope uniting my hands to the iron bed, though without my consent.

I tried wriggling my way out of it but that was when I again noticed that my strenght has defected out of my body.

I resigned myself to fate and that gave me the time needed to have a deep thinking about the mysterious dream I just had.

The dream did nothing but portray the perfect image of how I'd ruined my own life with some of the choices I'd made in the past.

I've been blinded by my overdose-cal lustful infatuation of the opposite sex which was the only reason why I've always resorted to going to the back of the textbook to look for answers of a given equation. Instead of facing the equations life have been giving me squarely and try solving them honestly. I've always seen lie and deceit as the perfect option to extricate myself from difficult situations.
Hence, why I'd choosed to do burgle bon to solve a matter featuring life and death in my dream.

The sound of an opening door disrupted my thoughts and a robust lady, claded in a white lab coat started approaching from the entrance with slow and cautious steps.

She has a big lenses on her face and a stethoscope hung across her thick neck.

"Mr Darous, are you awake?" She said out the moment she stopped beside the bed I was lying on. She started bitting her lips seductively when she saw my exposed abs.

I studied her face for some seconds and wished I could release myself and slap sense back to her head. How can she be starring at me that way?

"is anything wrong?" She questioned again with a concerned frown but I gave no reply. She proceeded to sit on the edge of the bed and held my palms in her soft hands.
"are you okay?" She queried again with a squeezed look at my face.

"where am I?" I asked. She scoffed and sent her face back to original settings.
"where is this place?, How did I get here?" I probed further.

"honestly, I don't know which one to answer among your questions." She replied in a relatively cool voice that was keenly escorted by a smile.

"why don't you start by telling me where I am?"

She sighed and stood up. At first, I thought she was trying to stand upright so she can talk comfortably but I received another suprise when she sat down again on the bed, but this time around, very close to my face and she then pushed herself forward to the extent that her massive brest was nearly touching my face. I opened my mouth to talk but nothing came forth.
She then started talking. "my name is Faith. I hail from benue state. Am 23years of age, will clock 24 in December this year. My parents are....."

"wait, what is the meaning of this, what did I ask you and what are you telling me?" I queried harshly as I was already feeling angry at her redundant explanations.

"am trying to explain this place to you..."

"by telling me about yourself?"

"yes, thats how you can understand this place better..." She stated with an assuring tone.

"I guess you are still going to tell me all the names of everyone that ever penetrated your stewpid pussea in this damn place!?" I asked with a loud tone and inquisitive brow.

"oh my Gawd!" She cried out and I thought I'd hit a nerve with my unkind statement. But she suddenly grinned and placed her palms on my cheeks. "you are soo handsome when you frown and sexy when you talk dirty like that!" She completed cheerfully and I was like, 'what just happened?'

'oh! No, am not threading that path again.' I declared firmly when a voice from within told me she likes me and I shouldn't waste this opportunity.

Again, temptation is knocking on the door.

[quote author=chioma8 post=71503039][/quote]here u are, advocating pity for the dude. But it was ur namesake that contributed a larger percent to his woes. Weird... CHIOMA!