₦airaland Forum

Thank you so much everyone. I appreciate your comments and all.

@Eitsei, Unique Adeleke is a recurring character in these series. He is actually the reason why these series exist. I don't think you read the first part: The Corpse on the Couch. If you did, you'll probably understand. Its just like asking why James Bond won't get married...

Oh well I'll probably marry him off at some point or perhaps not - dunno yet.

[size=28pt]The End[/size]

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***
The following day, the Ebosele’s were making the final move to Lagos. Pearl sat in the front seat with Ose behind. She looked through the mirror and noticed as he husband talked to someone on the phone. Some seconds later he approached the car and continued to talk ‘’alright then I’ll give you a call once we arrive’’

Once he was done he announced ‘’that was Ejemen, she sends her regards’’

‘’Great! Was that about your young protégée?’’

‘’Oh yes the young man Emmanuel Azubike. I’ve never met someone who is more eager to turn his life around. As I left that day, he asked me to get something small for him. It’s the least I can do for him. He deserves another shot at life because we all deserve a second chance’’

‘’True’’ Pearl replied.

Then Imonitie continued ‘’he is an orphan. His uncle that sent for him has deserted him. He has no one out here and he cannot afford a lawyer that’s why his case has been stalling. Ejemen appears hopeful but as usual she is keeping her cards to her chest. She says she will fix it and I have implicit faith in her. She said he may do a little more time before he is let out. Luckily it was not armed robbery and he has spent some time in prison already. He is also a first time offender and they will take all that into consideration during his sentencing. I wish him well and that’s the most I can offer him’’

‘’You’ve done well’’ Pearl whispered.

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Then husband and wife began to struggle for the small polythene bag like children struggling for a party favour. However Ojo had the upper hand and the moment he seized the bag, he pushed Kemi aside then ran out of the house. Kemi rushed out of the house and continued to rain insults at him ''agbaya, useless man, oloshi, woman wrapper. You will go and meet me when you return. Alabi ko Alabi ni!''

Ojo hurried towards his friend's house and all the while, he was thinking of the excited look on Comfort's face. Comfort had been acting indifferent towards him but he hoped with his small offering, she would finally warm up to him. It was not such an expensive phone but it was a brand new one and any village girl will be excited to have it.

By the time Ojo got to Àshàké's door, he knocked like an excited child on Halloween's night but he got no reply. Then he tried her number again and again - still no reply. He even yelled Comfort's name at some point - still no reply. He was almost thinking of leaving when he tried one last thing. He held the door knob and the door swung wide open!

Ojo was shocked; Àshàké never joked with her security and her door was always locked. Ojo stepped into the house and continued to call their names in surprise ''Àshàké, Àshàké it is me Ojo. Comfort, Comfy are you in?''

He kept calling their names until he decided to call her number again. Suddenly he could hear Àshàké's phone ringing. This time around, he ran to the place the sound was emanating from - her bedroom. There he found her sleeping soundly or was she? He hissed in annoyance then he tapped her leg again and again.

There was something about it, it was somewhat stiff. Then he shook her again and again and this time around he began to panic. He worked all the way up to her shoulder and shook her vigorously. Then he placed a hand on her wrist and felt her pulse - gone. He placed a hand on her chest - nothing. Then he slowly backed out of her room. He shut the door behind him and walked to the parlor calmly then he remembered the small polythene bag. The last place in the world he wanted to be was back in Àshàké's room but he had to.

nanhilicious:
In this world, there are writers, but you are a Queen..... And a brilliant one at that. Keep up the good work.

I appreciate.

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Then Comfort bowed her head and whispered ''thank you ma''

She walked out of her madam's room with a smile playing on her lips but as she touched the door knob, Mama Bukky called out to her again ''Comfort''

''Ma''

''Have you eaten?''

''Yes ma''

''Good. Have you heard from Ojo of lately?'' as she spoke, she licked her fingers and continued to stare at Comfort. Her small black eyes terrified Comfort and it seemed like she was boring a hole through the young girl's soul. Comfort was so terrified, she failed to answer the question on time so Mama Bukky asked again ''have you seen Ojo since?''

''No ma''

''Okay he will come later this evening. Me I don’t know the business the two of you have oh but he said he wants to see you later today. He was saying something about … (yawns) haba why so tired? Anyway he was saying something about getting you a phone so you people can be talking?''

''Okay ma''

''Just like that? Okay ma? Are you not happy? Can't you express your happiness abi has that your husband in your village; what is that his name again?''

''Jide ma''

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Then Comfort shrieked and jumped up in excitement but Jide held her by the shoulder and hushed her ''Shhhhhhhhhh! Don’t be too quick to rejoice because there is work in front. You must do it this weekend; if you can do it tomorrow better sef. I have planned everything and I will wait until it happens. Once you do it, call me and I will come and pick you sharp sharp''

''How will you do that?'' Comfort asked in fear.

''That is why I said it must be this weekend. I am staying with a friend but I can't stay pass weekend''

''Okay, then I will do it tomorrow. I am cooking fresh soup for the weekend - egusi soup. I will buy the things after school sef''

''Good and make sure you pack your things - everything''

Then the pair hugged and Comfort ran home without the sanitary pad.

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***
On Wednesday afternoon, Ojo came around when Mama Bukky was absent. On that day he followed Comfort around as she did her chores. Then at the end, he smacked her bottom but this time around, the young girl said nothing. She didn’t yell at him, she didn’t move away, she didn’t glance at him, she didn’t smile at him, she didn’t encourage him, she said absolutely nothing.

She continued to scrub the bottom of a pot with an iron sponge. As she scrubbed vigorously, her supple body shook in return and Ojo continued to ogle at her. To the normal man, this was a simple action and it was not done to set anyone on edge but to a man steeped in lust, it was an invitation to treat. Ojo stared at her some more then he placed a hand on her waist before walking out of the kitchen quietly.

That day, the old man was ecstatic and when Mama Bukky got back. He told her about it then she replied in a low voice ''I told you she will come around didn’t I?''

''Yes you did but why the pretence?''

''Don’t mind the yeye girl; she is no spring chicken. She has being around the block a couple of times so it's only normal to play hard to get. Besides its good for you men so you know the worth of what you are chasing. Better soup na money kill am. My people say no good thing comes easy''

''She suffer me small sha''

''Don’t you worry; good things come to those who wait''

''She is a fine girl sha''

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***
The new week was a highly anticipated one for Comfort. She had apologized to Mama Bukky and continued going to school. In addition, she had become as docile as a lamb and her benefactor was greatly pleased. Comfort had always been a quiet girl yet a stubborn one however something new had occurred.

Mama Bukky noticed she had changed for the better after her profuse apology. The young lady began to tow the straight and narrow path and for the first time since she first arrived, Mama Bukky began to freely converse with her in Yoruba and even Pidgin English!

The air in the house became lighter, Mama Bukky cracked the occasional joke and Comfort laughed in return. Whenever Comfort laughed, she would cover her mouth with her hands like a shy school girl but her heart was as hard as stone. She wanted out of Mama Bukky's house like yesterday but she was acting the script as directed by her fiancé.

Meanwhile the new found relationship continued to blossom rather quickly and Mama Bukky asked questions about Comfort's fiancé. She listened as the young girl spoke glowingly about Jide and when she was done, Mama Bukky shook her head and gave her a piece of her mind ''don’t waste your time with such a boy. You think you are suffering now but that is not true. Wait until you join yourself with poverty personified and you will spend the rest of your life biting your fingers. If you are not careful, your children will continue to call you names and question the rationale behind your choice''

''Ma, you say?''

''Your children will blame you for dashing them poverty!''

''Olorun maje! God will not allow it ma''

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***
The following day Jide was waiting for her at the designated spot but he was disappointed by what he heard. Comfort continued to weep and Jide stared on helplessly. At some point, he broke down and stared into the distance as tears ran down his face. This time around, he could not control himself so he wept before his lover. Once he was done, he announced ''where is that kind of money coming from?''

''I don’t know oh''

''How much is it again?''

''₦45,000''

''It is plenty oh. We only have like that kain ₦25,000 and it is for our future''

''My mother has killed me!'' Comfort yelled.

''Is this why mama said we should not marry so she can use you to do loan?''

''I don’t know ohhhhhhhhhhh!'' Comfort yelled back in reply.

After a while Jide asked her if she had seen her period and Comfort said no. Then he sighed deeply and said he knew what to do. He promised to be back the following Thursday then he told Comfort to start telling people her madam said she would return home the following week.

''But I'm not going to school again'' Comfort cried.

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''To go and marry abi?''

''My mother said I won't marry now but I want to go home and…''

''Your mother can't take care of you so where do you want to go? Who will take care of you this stupid child? Are you using your head at all?''

''I just want to go home ma'' then Comfort began to sob quietly. She bowed her head low and the tears began to drop on the floor.

Mama Bukky stared at her and shook her head in pity before vomiting her venom ''o ma se o! The fly that refuses to heed warning is the one that accompanies the corpse to the grave. I am tired of trying to reason with you Comfort. If you want to go home then go but not until I get my loan back from your mother''

''Ehn? Sorry ma but I don’t understand''

''Why do you think your own mother is the one using her hand to chase you back every time you run home? Omo ale jati jati! You are a useless child if you feel life is so easy. Let me tell you there is no free lunch oh! Nothing is free in this life! Your mother is owing me big money''

Then Comfort placed her hands on her head and cried out ''mo dan ran! He he he! I am finished!''

''Listen, I don’t care what you do but you will work and pay me back my money. ₦45,000 is what I gave your mother and I want it back before you leave - all of it! You are free to stop school. As a matter of fact, with immediate effect you are no longer a student''

''Ma, I don’t have that money. Please…''

''Don’t beg me oh. You want to do business abi?''

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She told Jide she had not seen her last period and since the start of that week, she had begun to feel weak on most mornings. At this stage, Jide was beyond frustrated and he advised her to be honest with her benefactor. Then he said he would be around to pick her on Sunday evening. At the end of that call, Jide did something he had not done in a long while - he wept.

Jide really liked Comfort and in their village, it was not unusual for people of their age to get married. The problem was his prospective mother-in-law wanted a lot more for her daughter. Comfort's father was not an educated man per se but he worked in the local government office which was located in Mama Bukky's hometown. He knew the importance of being educated and he wanted his children to attain such height even up to the university level.

But for now, that didn’t matter to Jide. He was worried about his fiancée. Comfort was getting desperate and he could hear the sound in her voice. It frustrated him that he could not do anything about her current situation. But as he rode back to their village, he began to think of different things he could do. He had to save Comfort. What sort of man would he be if he did nothing about it?

''He was grabbing my waist and…''

''Are you a virgin?'' Mama Bukky shrieked.

Then Comfort stared at her madam in shock and began to cry. Mama Bukky stared back at her in pure disgust before screaming out ''what is the tears for? Is it the question that is making you cry? Are you a virgin and then you are crying? Did I beat you with a stick or is the question judging your conscience? Soro niyen? Are you not the same person that says she wants to marry?''

''Yes ma''

''Is that not the reason you ran away how many times? I'm asking you question and you are looking at me like Dundee. Are you saying that is the first man that would touch your waist in this life? Would you swear that man has not slept with you in this life? As the man is sleeping with you, is he giving you anything even chewing gum? Swear you are a virgin with this your rounded hips and let the earth open and swallow you whole! Omo ale jati jati. C'mon get out of my sight!''

Then Comfort ran away from her madam's presence and continued to weep in her uncompleted room.

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Unfortunately the 'beautiful' life at Mama Bukky's house was not for the young maiden. Comfort was beyond upset but she knew how to apologize and mask her true feeling. She was the true definition of a chameleon! In addition, she didn’t like the new town, its inhabitants, the house, her new school, the chores and her new madam! Everything about life with Mama Bukky reminded her she needed to be somewhere else.

Already she had run away twice but her mother had driven her back and the second time Aunty Titi brought her back, Mama Bukky had given her a sound slap. The slap rang past her ear and registered in her brain before travelling down to her feet. Then Comfort ran to her room and began to curse the day she was born.

If she thought she had seen the worse, she had not even begun. Some days later, one of the numerous men who visited her benefactor showed up but met her absence.

The man was a constant visitor at her benefactor's house but unlike other men, Ojo seemed to have more of a casual relationship with Mama Bukky. It was more of a platonic relationship where they discussed politics and happenings in their small town. And so on that day Ojo visited, Mama Bukky was away but he decided to wait.

As Ojo waited, he began to chat with Comfort but she was not in the mood. The young girl said little, she would nod her head to his questions, give him yes or no answers but the old man was not deterred. Somewhere along the line, he began to hit on Comfort! She ignored him and went to the kitchen to continue with her chores then something strange happened.

The stranger floated in to the kitchen like a ghost and grabbed her waist! Then Comfort picked up a large knife and waved it across his face before running out of the house in fright.

That evening, Mama Bukky met her crying outside the house on barefoot. Then the useless man strolled out of the house and began to give his side of the story. At some point, Mama Bukky hissed then pulled him by the arm ''ojare tell me something else'' she yelled. Then the pair walked into the house together and continued to converse like nothing was amiss.

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