repogirl: Americannah, by chimamanda Adichie. Dunno the page as its audio but I think I'm in chapter 19.

Afta u plz (sec sch tinz)

Nice one man. Dat Iyana Ipaja stuff reminds mi of ma last visit to Lagos. Kip rytin bro and pay attention 2 corrections spotted out.

I just came bak 4rm a function and i guess am kinda high so if der is any error i 'll modify it by mornin

Rayson complex stood firmly at the middle of the town. The buildings in the compound were mostly storey buildings. Some were renovated and were identical to each other while few were stil looking old. Hundreds of shops and offices were in the compound and people twice the number of the shops trooped into the compound every hour.

Some were buying or selling while others rendered services of diverse nature. One of the newly renovated storey buildings housed the office of Barrister Doris.

Susan walked slowly behind her brother. She was a young lady and she needed to take her time to maintain her girlish steps. On a normal place and time, Benson would have matched on without noticing her lagging behind but he couldn't imagine those "Rayson boys" dragging his sister in a pretense of helping her get what she obviously doesn't need. He turned and waited for Susan to walk up to him before they both entered the compound. He walked so close to her in a fashion in which only a guy walking with his new girlfriend would.

One nice thing about the complex was despite the rowdy atmosphere, the numbering system was not far from being perfect and as such within few minutes they were at the door of the right office.

Benson introduced himself to the receptionist who later ushered them into an office to Doris. The inner office was demarcated from the main room where the receptionist was by a ply board. The room was painted white and had few cheap decorations. The SMC ceiling fan was rotating vigorously to help ventilate the room. Benson didn't need a soothsayer to tell him that the young Barrister was a low life person.

"You can sit down" she said in a soft voice, dropping the pen she
was holding on the desk.

"Thanks" they replied as the sit to hear what she had to say.

"I don't know your schedule so i wouldn't want to waste any of your time." she paused and looked at Susan then Benson before she continued. "He has been charged with illegal possession of fire arm, that actually is not the very big deal but he also refuse to disclose any information about his movement on the day he was arrested. He only said he was with a friend whose name he didn't mention, I suspect he is hiding something, do you know what that could be?"

Susan shrugged on her chair. She knew certainly that Patrick wasn't telling the Lawyer everything she wanted to know and she knew the reason.

"I don't think he his hiding anything ma'am. Patrick owns no guns and I can vouch for him" Susan replied.

"So can you explain why he hasn't said a word about the friend he was meeting at the Palm Groove?" The room remained quiet for a while until Benson spoke.

"I really can't place things now Barrister but I 'll try my best in convincing him to discuss with you if you can stage a platform for us to discuss." His words where like an arrow from a Trojan Archer. It had gone straight into her heart.

"Well that was the exact reason why I called you, he wants to see you and erm... Ok I 'll go with you." The lawyer said. She picked up a few things she needed and replaced her identity card in her bag.

"Every information is necessary if we are to record a success in this care" Doris pointed out as the walked out of the office. She signalled the receptionist with her left hand with which she was held her car keys that she would be back. Benson was so absent mined to hear the receptionist reply "Yes Madam." as he shut the main office door behind him.
***** **** ****

gandyluv: dnt worry,,,tek ur tym

lolz... I 'll dear

I tink dat library tread is rada 2 lengthy, if HBG can come up wid a more concise or shud I say simplified version solely 4 d sake of dis award it 'll be appreciated. Dat 'll make voters knw wer 2 place or send deir nominations... Tnks ma'am

Watchin...

Mynd_44: I will be naming the third organiser soon and coming forward with a format of how this awards will be held

Very well Sir Mynd. Lets assume we av d organisers (5) it 'll not be ideal 2 wait 4 stories 2 be completed. Am sayin so cuz its neva possible 2 have dis section devoid of uncompleted stories and if we kip givin tym, I fear we won't be able 2 do any tangible tin and dis wonderful idea may just fade off.
Therefore I suggest dat all stories completed or not shud be included. If possible only threads which av been opened for a specified period of tym(say 2 months ...) wud be eligible for d award.
Just a suggestion anyway.

Check if u can change dat "truth" to smtin else say environment. Den the key disappeared from not into, u get? Den continue...

gandyluv: hp u ll stil up date

I don't knw 4 now dear... I 'll if i can. Tnks

The late July morning was quiet and cold. Although it was suppose to be the peak of the rainy season, the rains had refused to fall. The previous night had been gloomy and threatening to rain but the rain didn't touch the ground. The morning was bright and showing no signs of rain. Perhaps there was indeed a climate change.

Benson woke up from his sleep on the camp bed on the floor which he shared with his friend, Henry. Susan alone had the big bed in the room to her self. One thing Benson enjoyed most in his friends place was the serenity of the area. Unlike their own compound in which one could hardly differentiate night from morning due the ever disturbing noise by the neighbours.

He picked up his phone besides the television on the small glass shelf. He saw three missed calls and he quickly clicked to know the caller. He didn't know the person as the number wasn't saved as a contact in his phone.

He looked at the time of the call, it was way past eleven in the night. He was definitely sleeping by then. He shot a glance at the white wall clock hanging on the loosely at a corner of the room. The time was 8:09am.

"Is it too early to know who this person is?" he asked him self. He pressed the green key and lifted the phone to his ear.

"Your account is too low for this call please load a rech... " The reply always annoyed him but this time he knew better how his airtime had gone. Moreover he was to curious to know who had called him late last night than getting angry over a situation which he could only change by loading a recharge card like the automated response had advised.

He picked his wallet from the corner and adjusted the buckle of his belt. Wearing just a white singlet and the jean he had slept with, he stepped into the street to get airtime.

"Yeah this is Benson, and who am I speaking with?" Benson said over the phone. "Barrister wh...?" the word Barrister brought him to his full consciousness. His brother was in police net and a Barrister was calling him, he quickly drew the lines.They had charged his brother to court.

"How do I meet with you Ma'am?" Benson asked. "Rayson complex, block 13b room 6" he let out a soft sign after repeating the address given by the Barrister. Rayson was one place he never love but he had no choice.

"Ok ma'am. I'll be there by 10am. Thanks." he dropped the call and quickened his strides back to the house. He needed to meet with the Lawyer but most importantly he wanted to see his brother.

I've been missin d hell out... Ur work a splitin up lyk d normal Nairaland way. I just saw dis post... Wow "you dey ryt!"

beyonDskygirl: ok. Hope u'll update today?

Hopefully...

I was almost scared b4 i discovered it was a dream... welcom bak

I guess dis is "tribalistic"... No harm anyway

Sowi pals dat I failed 2 update yesterday. I was outta town.

SPLENDIDFLOZZY: Missed ur update so much buh tank God am bk.... Waitin 4 more update soon.

welcom bak dear, I'll update hopefully dis evenin...

underage: Nice.....kip it up

tnks ma'am...

RealJenny:
Or u could help a sista out by taking 5 seconds of your time to click nd continue reading..huh?

I did and evn commented but smhow can locate ma way round ur blog

Doris walked towards the small red car which she parked under a dying mango tree in the cloistered compound. As she walked, most of the police men couldn't take their eyes off her. She had a beautiful face and maintain a hypnotizing smile. She reached into her bag for her car keys and slowly drove off.

She steered the car through the gate into the black asphalt, while her hand scrolled through her phone. In her mind, she tried to recall her discussion with Patrick and every word he had said. His words "I guess i'm being framed up." rang in her head and she was scared to imagine how the court proceeding would be like.

Somehow she knew the outcome. It couldn't be different from the others and she doesn't know if she wished for a change. She clutched down and shifted the gear. She had apparently forgotten the reason why she brought out her phone. Perhaps she intended calling some one but she couldn't remember as her thought lingered on her upcoming case.

As a lawyer, Doris was used to defeat. She had devoted her time to lost causes with high hopes but yet to receive any success. Majority of her former clients were still behind bars, while some had been executed.

Deep down she knew that those people were innocent and that was the only rational reason why she had chosen to defend them. She possibly could have won those cases if only her clients had adequate proves which they never possessed. At other times the evidence against them were strong enough to convince a daft pig.

She had turned deaf ears to advice from both her family and friends to abandon "lost battles" and settle for something more profitable.

This was another opportunity to prove herself she thought when she was contacted with Patrick's case. Maybe they had contacted her because she had a long standing record of failure but she was determined to make a change.

"Things are going to be different this time." she said to herself assuringly. Patrick's case was going to be the purported break through case she had been anticipating.

I'll av 2 drop smtin short dis mornin but hopefully a longer 1 lata... Gud mornin pals, hope u slept well.

sommyqueen: I feel lyk crying. Anyway nice write up

Eya... Tnks dear

ibkaye:

I see u ma'am...

The beautiful lady before him will be his attorney. He didn't believe his ears. Some how there was a blob of joy within him as the agony of being in cell for no known reason was coming to an end.

"Barrister Doris?" he said softly as if he was testing the name in his lips. These people were charging him to court on for what offence? He thought.

"Yes?"

"No... Nothing" He replied. He didn't mean to call her but some how the name had escaped through his lips.

She brought out a file from the large black leather bag resting on the wooden table and flipped it open.

"What have I been charged with?" he asked with curiousity glaring on his face.

"I was about to read it to you Mr Patrick." she replied sharply. He relaxed a bit on his chair to ease the tension which could erupt from within him if she wasted any unnecessary second.

"You were arrested on the 12th right?" she asked.

"yeah you are right. Madam." Patrick said nodding his head to corroborate his reply.

"Well from what i have here, you were in illegal possession of fire arm when you were arrested."

Patrick's jaws dropped. He couldn't understand a thing happening. He was in no possession of any fire arm what so ever. In fact he hadn't contacted her to be his attorney and that made him furious.

On the other hand he was surprised he wasn't being charged for drugs or maybe fraud because of the money he had then. That confirmed his initial assumption that he was being framed up.

"I wasn't in possession of any fire arm or gun or what ever you call it" Patrick said raising his tone a bit higher than normal.

"I understand how you feel right now Mr Patrick but as your attorney you need to tell me the truth so I know how to present my case in court."

"There is no other truth to tell Barrister, by the way who contacted you?"

"Constitutionally, You have a right to be defended in court and since you apparently don't have a lawyer the State has provided one for you and that is Me." she raised up her brows.

"I see, then i need to contact my family, at least let them know the position of things." Patrick replied.

"That 'll be ok, how do I contact them?"

Doris brought out a clean sheet of paper from her paper and a pen with which she wrote down the address and phone number Patrick called to her. She neatly attached it to the file and placed it into her bag.

"You 'll be appearing in court next wednesday Mr Patrick." she continued. "So we actually have few days to go. Is there anything you are not telling me?"

"No, nothing ma'am."

"So where were you coming from when you were arrested?" she asked. Her gaze piercing through him like a sword of a British Knight. Patrick had never felt so het up before. He had always been feisty but this time his courage failed him.

"erm... I went to Palm Groove that fateful day." he managed to say.

"To do what?" was the next question that followed. This person was suppose to be his attorney and not a Chief interrogator of the FBI he thought. He contemplated telling her the truth but something advised him against it. One thing was that he didn't know her too well and again he would be somehow implicating his siblings. He would rather die a thousand times over than put them in harms way he concluded audaciously.

"To meet with an old buddy" he replied firmly.

"And that buddy of yours gave you the guns?" she asked. The question sounded stupid to him but the seriousness in her face and her voice restricted him from laughing. She looked prettier when she was serious he noticed.

His mind couldn't settle on her beauty when something of such magnitude was at stake he cautioned him self.

"Nothing like that happened. We only had a few drinks, chatted and left."

"I don't have to tell you the implication of lying to me again, but for the sake of posterity i 'll inform you that any lie said to your attorney 'll impede the easy flow of things in court. You get that?"

"I do and I swear, am not lying to you. I guess am being framed up here."

"Why should i believe you? Wait, why would any one want to frame you up? Do you have a reason?"

"No." was the only audible words Patrick could mutter. He certainly couldn't say more. At least until he knew who to trust. Life indeed wasn't fair especially to him.

The Barrister stood up, picked up her bag and her suit which all these while had been hanging on back rest of the chair. She called the officer in and informed him that she was through with her client and he could take him back to the cell. The officer was leading Patrick back to his cell when she called after them.

"Think things through Mr Patrick, I'll see you on Monday. Mean while if am able to contact your family, they may see you before then." She turned and walked out.
Patrick did not reply, he just responded to the gentle push of the officer before it becomes violent.

Fame-G:
just started reading it nd I enjoyed every beat. Gd work.

Am so glad u did enjoy it. Tnks....

veave: hmmmn... i like... keep it up me dear...

Tnks mi Lady...

Patrick woke up with a sharp pain in his lower abdomen. The objectionable odour of the cell found a way into his nostrils and he was tempted to spit, vomit was more like the best option but he possibly couldn't throw up anything when is stomach was apparently empty.

He stood up from the floor and walked to the wrough steel protector which confined him and other inmates like animals in zoo. He wanted the fresh morning air blowing through the passage could get down his lungs since food was forbidden in their cage.

His siblings probably didn't know he was there and he only wished they were safe where ever they were. As he remembered the days he had spent with them, the days they had little or nothing to eat and the days the had plenty he felt a sharp pain in his heart.

The pain slowly melted away as the thought of being free some day to reunite with them made him smile and forget about the excruciating hunger tearing him apart.

Few minutes later, other inmates started waking up with series of prolong yawning and exchange of mouth odour that was far from pleasant. It was another day for them to starve while some expecting their friends or relatives to come and bail them, others like Patrick remained hopeless, waiting for what ever fate had in store for them.

The time was few minutes past Ten when an officer walked towards the cell.

"Patrick!" he yelled, tossing a bunch of key from his right to left hand in a dopey fashion.

Patrick didn't not reply, he took few steps away from the gate and gave the officer a stare which said "Am Patrick and so what?"
"you are Patrick right? " the officer asked pointing towards him.
Patrick nodded. The officer opened the gate with a long key.

They both walked into an office which looked like interrogation office. There was a lady in white long sleeves and black trouser sitting on a chair. Her gaze and interest was fixed on the magazine she was holding.

She adjusted her glasses as she stole a quick glance at intruders who had entered the room.

"Here he is ma'am" the officer said.

"That's ok Officer." the man replied waving his hand towards the officer dismissing him that he wished to be alone with her client.

Patrick maintained his distance from the table. He wore only his brief and a white inner shirt which was at the verge of being called brown or perhaps black.

"Sit down young man" she said in a lovely voice but her tone sounded more like an order.

Patrick obliged. He drew the chair a bit backward to prevent his pungent smell of sweat from days without bath and mouth wash from hitting the beautiful lady across the table. He had an ill grown beard and had shed enough weight which was obvious to anyone who knew him before his detention.

"Am Barrister Doris and I'll be presenting you in Court." the lady said with a warm smile.

sandyylove: Great and Congrats on the job.

tnks ma'am

frank3.16:
Ok, still keepin my fingers crossed.

copy dat sir

gandyluv: kudos

I see u...