I looked at the happy young lady. She was genuinely proud of me. "Thank you for everything, Trina" I said. "Don't thank me, Tony. We are one blood" She replied. Trina gave me a heartwarming hug and dragged me to dance to the song she played from the speaker. We danced. I danced away my days of frustration. It was the beginning of a new dawn. Paula was happy too. Joy beamed in her face. She was happy that I finally took the bold step. It wasn't so difficult to adapt to the new lifestyle. My friendship with Paula strengthened our romantic relationship. We understood our differences and things were going really well. Paula's parent at the time were on her neck already. They couldn't wait to see her bring a man home. Paula being the first child and yet unmarried was a disturbing thing for them. They would sit her down to tell her sermons about marriage. They were really tired of her too many "soon". Paula's father called and he will not take it likely with her today. "When are you br
Mrs. Jacobs was made the president because she was the brain behind the movement. Even before the brouhaha in the community started, she showed massive concern to others who were downrodden. Donald, the Don of Dark Dragons, was only eleven years old when he loosed his mother to death. It was all in the course of fighting for justice when the tragedy strucked. Donald was fatherless so he now became an orphan. Life was hell for the young boy. There was nobody to cater for him. His relatives had fled with the properties of his parents. They kept everything to themselves leaving the poor boy to suffer and having nothing to claim. It became a trauma that knocked him down. It was a dark Saturday at the community. It was only two days after the peaceful protest in town when it happened. Mrs. Jacobs was all set and ready to leave the house for the market. She was running out of time and Donald was frustrating her with his wailing. He didn't want her to go anywhere that day. It was his birthd
Donald's childhood days was a rough one for him. He lived in one house to the other until maturity found him. One weird thing was that Donald never had the intension to fight back the killers of his mother. He just wanted to make things right - like his mother, Mrs. Jacobs. He brought his friends together. Those who were raised in abusive homes and assaulted in different forms. He wanted them to shine their lights upon the younger generation and make sense in a society consumed by corruption and injustice. This is how Dark Dragon began. Donald was the boss before the accident that caused my memory loss. He was also there at the mission that day. He didn't let us go on any mission without him. He was a cheerleader with the might of a thousand soldiers. Salute to the Don! He shared the story of his life countless times with us. My story is similar to his and this made us very close. He called me brother and I wondered why God didn't make us blood brothers. He had a heart of gold and e
I exclaimed. Even though I disliked him. I wasn’t much of a wicked person. My mood changed. I felt a bit scared and unsecured. Death is truly unfriendly. No one would think that Uncle Ben would die so soon. He lived as if he had life in his pocket. He had an air of pride whenever talked. He treated many badly and they will not forgive him. He always wanted to be the boss. I feared that my death may come soon. After all, my life is in God’s hands. I shared the news to Maggie. She recalled that he visited our company some months ago. She felt really bad to hear about his death. I pated her by the shoulder. He wasn’t one to cry for. Uncle Franklin sent me a message requesting for my presence at the family house. Aunty Raina needs me. “But what could she need me for? Doesn’t she have children? Huh?” I thought again. Bret cried a river. The exit of his father was a rude shock to him. He couldn’t even try to throw away his emotions and man up. He cried even more than his mother. I mocked
I left the burial ground with a heavy heart. The mourners were all walking out of the cemetery looking back at Uncle Ben's grave. I couldn't stop thinking about death and its power to take anyone at will. It was a thing of surprise to me as tears dropped down from my innocent eyes. The neighborhood sat at the outskirt of the town. It was like an estate with all houses painted in army green and brown colour. It was the biggest barracks in the whole town. The government were gracious to them - the soldiers and their families. They were given free houses to live as a way to urge them to be diligent in the military world. Uncle Ben put his mind and soul into it. He was a military fanatic. Uncle Franklin said that was his dream profession right from his primary school days and he was so focused to live his dreams. There were many awards at the gallery. They were all presented to him in the course of his service. It was the first room before the living room. That evening when I moved in to
All was not well with Sarah. She woke up to a headache every morning after spending hours thinking about the "public disgrace". Mr. Wellington refused to talk to her. They became like two strangers living under the same roof. Mr. Wellington was so ashamed of his daughter. But he had a hand in it. The only good thing he did was provide Sarah with all of the things she needed but it wasn't enough. She needed his time too rather than money. Money was many things but not everything for Sarah. Sometimes, she had somethings bothering her but her father was never there to listen. He was just jumping from one business trip to the other, neglecting the young lady. He gave her words of encouragement anytime he could but Sarah was already dead inside. Myles did not feel bad that the video went viral. He was just upset to not have made a dime from it. It was his handwork that someone blew away like that without any reasoning. "Damn! This nigga is a motherfucker!" He exclaimed as he watched th
"Matilda would suffer for this!" He said again. He was filled with fury and was determined to see her end. He punched the wall until he started to bleed in a short while. He wished he had entered the room a little earlier that day. Perhaps, Matilda wouldn't have seen the video. He was careless but she would still pay for exposing his little secret for free. Sarah wanted to talk to me. She was love sick. I wasn't committed to checking her up everyday again. Paula had taken her place in my life. Now, I admit that I was so jobless all the while. Being with Paula in a romantic relationship was more than a job already. She loved my presence and did not ever get tired of talking to me. Even if there was nothing to talk about. Sometimes, we would just stare at each other unsure of what to say. The love we shared was second to none. I was with Paula that afternoon when Sarah called. She was talking as if she swallowed her voice. She was so calm and peaceful from the sound of her voice. I r
It was as if Sarah knew I was at the door already. She was there at the entrance to open the door and she closed it back immediately. She didn't want any sort of disturbance or distraction. The way the security men were looking at her provoked her but she didn't have any right to push them away. Her father would break her if she fails to cooperate with them. I was wearing a smile that day. She was on a fine hairdo and her body glittered like gold. I greeted and she responded positively for the first time after many weeks. She was glad to receive me. She gave me a warm hug and planted a kiss on my forehead. Everything happening was weird to me. "What is she up to?" I thought. I wasn't really feeling comfortable anymore. "So, why did you call?" I asked. "Because I miss you, Tony" She replied. I sighed. I thought of the distance from my house to their residence. "So I drove all the way from my place to be told something that could be said on the phone?" I asked myself. "Oh, I mis
I wanted to save his face the disgrace of his past life. I asked him to walk to the cafeteria while I follow him behind and he did as I commanded him. The cafeteria is a big one with so many serving tables here and there. Some of the costumers were eating some Kenyan delicacies and you needed to see how they were devouring the "sumptuous" meal. It had a good aroma that would cause anyone that is famished to salivate but this wasn't the time to try their food. Douglas and I had something important to discuss. We sat at the nearest serving table as I signaled the waiter to get us soft drinks. My kindness caused Douglas to fear the more. He thought I was doing him a favour that he would pay back in a thousand folds. But this wasn't so. He wasn't thinking well enough. I wanted to hear his story. Everything about him. The waiter had served us the drinks. It was enough to calm my nerves down. I gulped it as I was thirsty. Douglas felt very reluctant to take his drink. But I asked him to tak
I wasn't too sure if the idea of naming the child George was a good one. How will John and his wife take it? Will they be happy about it? Will I be mocking them with the name? I hope my son will not die prematurely like the late George? My mind was preoccupied with these thoughts so I had to relax for a while. When there wasn't any other name that my heart desired, we named the child George. Sometimes, our fears only threatens us but if we shun the threat, we would be heading for success. The christening was a success and to my greatest surprise, John and his wife were happy about it. The way they snuggled the child in their arms read a million meanings. Lyda said that he looked like George during his days as a toddler. She smiled and hoped that he lived long. Thank Goodness I didn't change the name. After another week or so, I travelled for a leadership conference at Nairobi - the capital of Kenya. It was hosted by one of the most accomplished business man in the world and it was hel
Maggie and I were having all the fun in this world. It was just she and I. No disturbance. I kept the news of Mama's death at the back of my memory. I wouldn't let it interfere with the nice time I was having with the love of my life. The wailing was for Uloma and Lizzy to do. I wailed enough while she was alive. Even in her wickedness, I loved her. I hope that her soul find rest in heaven or wherever! It's God's choice not mine. It was the first time Maggie had a sexual experience. She was a virgin. No one would believe she was because she was a full grown up lady. All through her years with Malid, they maintained "sexual distancing". Malid must have his own good sides too. Waiting till after marriage before such an experience must have come with a lot of patience. But maybe he wasn't patient enough so he loose his girl and not only his girl, but now, his life. I wonder what explanation he was going to give his creator for taking the life that was given to him on a platter of gold. I
In as much as we all enjoy peace, no one desires an eternal peace or say rest. But this wasn't the case for Mama - Uloma's mother. She desired death even though her children rebuked her severally. "Mama, don't say that!" "Mama, stop!!!" They cautioned. They warn her on a daily basis about her pessimism but she turned deaf to everything they ever said to her. She wanted a ticket to hell or wherever because life was teaching her hard lessons. She suffered from chronic fever, an illness one would consider "minor" or "ordinary" but it was getting worse by the day. There wasn't any kind of treatment Mama didn't receive. They did one thing or the other to ensure they meet up with the bills. They sold some of their properties and even their bodies for money to take good care of Mama. They went out of their comfort and did some menial jobs and secured something profitable for themselves. There was virtually nothing they didn't do. But their efforts were not amounting to any positive result.
I danced David's dance at the reception of my wedding. We were so elated and fulfilled. I now had a woman I could call mine with confidence. Friends and family joined in our dance. The bridal train were not left out too. The songs were so melodious. I mean, it was remedy for any broken heart. The musical instruments synchronized without any flop and we were just taking different steps - from left to right. We heard of the tragedy. It was as though we didn't hear the right thing. But it was true. Zero lies. It was so pathetic - the untimely death of Malid. No one could have thought that he would kick the bucket so quickly with the life of wealth he lived in. It was no news that he killed himself with poison right inside his room. He just wasted his life for nothing. He threw his poor family into mourning and complete bitterness. They hearts were heavier than the stone that was used to cover Jesus' tomb. The rumor was all around the place. It was everywhere that the founder of El-Tech c
Nobody would believe that I "snatched" Maggie from him. After all, I didn't do that. She simply got too tired of him so she "kicked" him out of her life and will not allow him back. Thank God for Thunder who stopped him right at the gate perhaps he would have done something worst. He was such an animal. I think God assigned some angels to create him and that day, they were too tired to add a pitch of calmness in him. He just liked to burn everywhere he is found. But the fire from a lantern is not same as the one that erupts from a cooking gas. Thunder's punches were enough lessons for him and a warning never to thread the path of lions like us. Malid got home badly injured. He collapsed on his couch in tears. He had sacked all his staff and some of them resigned because they could no longer be patient with him. He was acting like a demigod and they wouldn't let another man trample on them like a snake Malid hates to see. He was growing more wild by the day so they all had to leave him
I think Maggie is truly the divine woman made for me because for the first time in my entire life, I felt truly loved by a woman. I was betrothed to Uloma by her father who considered me a responsible man. He was sure that I was going to take good care of his daughter because of the traits I displayed during my stay at his house. I felt like I was marrying my step sister even though we were not in anyway related by blood. This was his death wish so I decided to honour the poor man. But one of the lessons I have learnt in life is never to marry a man or a woman in pity. I had compassion for Uloma and her family especially after the demise of their lovely father. So I married her but I regretted it quite too early. I wonder how Uloma, Lizzy and Mama coped with a man whose spirit provoked their demons. He was just one of a kind. A complete father and an epitome of love. I mean, he took me in without knowing a thing about me. Just assumptions and the fact that I was a human being as him.
Now I had to tell Maggie the story of my life to clear the air. She kept asking too many questions and I couldn't deny her the right answers because she was now very dear to my heart. I mean, can one withhold the truth about the colour of one's skin from one's buttocks? That would be eating beans with the eyes. Maggie was pensive when we got home. It was as though she had just finished watching a Hollywood movie but this time, she didn't watch it on screen but on set! She was amazed to see me take them down, one by one, as if I had prepared for the attack. I didn't prepare for anything but that sharp thought that flashed through my mind was enough to sense something. I usually had such a feeling when something goes wrong. My demons were never asleep. They kept on knocking the door of my heart until it dawn on me that there was something wrong about the route we were taking. I told Maggie about the Dark Dragons something I never mentioned to Uloma. Paula knew about it of course, because
It is true that once a soldier, always a soldier. But I also think once a fool is always a fool or maybe... Once a culprit, is always a culprit! Malid was at it again. His usual display of foolishness. I called it "foolishness" because he thinks he can play smart and get me tied to his trap. Me? What a dream! Malid couldn't sleep well. Of course, he wouldn't have. He was dreaming of the impossible. So how possible was it for him to find sleep? Sweet sleep are for those who have laboured in truth. Not some evildoers like Malid! I sensed it from the smile, the handshake, the gestures, uneasiness, friendliness, useless talks... everything! I knew he was surely up to something. Can I ever forget Aunty Raina? Even if she belongs to the family of evil-doers with Malid as the head. She would say; "a rat does not run in daylight for nothing. He must have seen a cat or something." Malid is the rat here but instead of staying clear, the idiot remains adamant, like a forgotten morsel of pounded