Gold kept on talking. He made Pain reason with him. It wasn't his joy that Pain had to end up in a relationship with someone who didn't have mutual feelings for him. But Gold could possibly be correct. Pain thought of many more reasons why Sophie had changed so suddenly. He now agreed to what Gold had said. He took it in as a man would bear pains. He was heartbroken but he didn't let it bother him too much. It wasn't worth taking a poison for. He only wondered why Sophie treated him so badly after the love and care that he showered upon her. The phrase "That is the ways of women" that Gold had earlier said kept on ringing in his mind. He asked himself so many questions he couldn't provide an answer to. Gold and Pain departed that evening. It was getting late.The room was dark but suddenly, there was power supply and it beamed with illumination. Pain looked at his mirror to see how worried he looked. He needed to chill. But Sophie was stocked in his head. "So man can be this evil?"
I placed him on my laps and began to sing lullabies for him. That was what I saw Aunty Raina do whenever she wanted to force Bret to bed. His younger brother, Gabriel, was fast asleep already. The tired boy snored without caring if we slept or not. He sounded like Uncle Ben's old generator. He was really comfortable on the cushion he was laid on. George seem really adamant. His eyes were still widely opened and his cheerfulness did not reduce a bit. He still wanted to play more games."Let's play" He said."No... George. It's late in the night already. We shall play tomorrow. I promise." I said. He probably did not believe me. He still insisted. Then I took a hand fan and began to blow some air to him even if the living room was cool enough to make anyone sleep off at any time. My eyes were clapping gradually already. I just wanted the child to sleep so I could sneak out. Lyda said that he usually go to bed after his dinner. Aunty Raina used to say something like that too. It was a
He heaved a heavy sigh. Emeka stopped thinking about his former wives. They couldn't have done any evil against him either. They were both guilty. It wasn't all his fault after all. But Uloma may not have left his house if not for his promiscuousness. Allen, who advised him to throw Uloma away and bring Lois in as her replacement, was now planning to get married. He wanted to settle down after all the evils he had done here and there. Allen, of course, did not tell Emeka about it. But the news flew at every corner in the office. He would be getting married to the daughter of his father's most respected friend. His father was the matchmaker. But he didn't force it on him. He just fell in love. Emeka sat at the verandah looking very worrisome. The compound looked very rough. All his staff were no longer there to assist with maintenance. They were tired of working without getting paid at the end of the month. It was now exactly two weeks to the deadline of payment and Emeka was stil
I was still very much baffled about what I had just seen. As we rode back home, I saw him again at the tarmac. I quickly tapped Trina who was riding her bicycle just beside me. Trina called him a "prisoner". He appeared like one that was locked in jail for many years. I was glad Trina saw him herself. All doubts were cleared now. She too wondered what could have gone wrong with him. It was one of the most surprising things she has ever seen.Paula's parents called her again and her father especially took it more personally this time. He said all sorts of things to Paula. He said she wasn't setting a good pace for her younger ones to follow. She was just taking her life very seriously. Paula pleaded with him. But he would not let her speak. He was just shouting on the phone like the frustrated father he was now. Her mother wasn't helping matters. In fact, she fanned the flames of Paula's father - her husband. Paula was unhappy. She hated it whenever her parents were both against her
I was still laughing. I tried to avoid Trina's talk about this marriage thing. She knew how to get at me whenever she wanted to. she gulped the bottle of water in front of her. The food she made was really peppery. Then she was about to talk but she coughed instead. "Easy... easy... you better take it easy on yourself" I said , teasing her again. she ignored me then started to talk as usual. "As I was saying to Tony, you need to take it very seriously. you are no longer a young adult. look around you. you are old enough to bore three children! Paula herself is not getting any younger. please, think." she said. she hissed, obliviously tired of talking sense into me. her words pierced into my heart like a sword. She was really making a lot of sense but I was so unsure about the whole thing. she saw that i was all wrapped in my thoughts. Then she joined me at the two-sitters couch where I sat and patted me on my shoulder."What are you waiting for?" she asked again. I had to confes
My journey to the land of dreams was a smooth one. There were no gallops at all. I slept like all the problems of my life were gone. I snored too. The night came with heavy rain. there was no way i could remember that i had a message to reply. my sleep had taken me far away already even though i tried to. Paula on the other hand could not sleep a wink. her siblings were now disturbing her with calls already and here was the "love of her heart" wasting time to take actions, she wept. She wanted to be patient with me but it was taking too long. she thought that perhaps my love for her was not genuine or perhaps, it faded already. She couldn't just understand why I was running from seeing her parents. but she was quite sure that i wasn't a coward. I didn't just want to do it for reasons best known to god cos even I couldn't understand any longer.I woke up to the messages again. I yawned and my mouth would tear apart if not for my hands that covered its nakedness. I quickly said my mor
The heavens opened and it rained insight on Pastor Goodnews. He sat still and refused to open his eyes after the prayers. I wondered what was happening. He was muttering. I strained my ears to hear what he was saying but I was only wasting my time. I couldn't hear a thing. I closed my eyes too. Praying...The Lotus Group were all on a round table. They had a new member who appeared to be smarter than Phillippe and Charlie. It was Mr. Maxwell who brought him into the group. But he didn't make him lord over Charlie and Phillippe. He only needed his wisdom and smartness to overcome us - The Dark Dragons. They welcomed Douglas, the new member, to the "family". Charlie read out their rules and regulations to him. They warned that the failure to comply with the aforementioned rules came with a grievous consequence. Douglas was ready for the tasks ahead. He showed much interest in the kind of job they were into. Charlie told him about the Dark Dragons and how powerful we were. He shared e
But I picked it up now. "Hello, hello. Tony, is that you?" He asked in whispers. I responded positively. He exhaled."Where are you?"' He asked again. "At the G.R.A. Any trouble?" I asked. I knew there was trouble with the way he sounded on the phone."A big trouble, Tony! Trina has been kidnapped!" He said."What?" I exclaimed. Pastor Goodnews and his wife looked at me in shock. Pastor Goodnews held me in my arms trying to know what I had just heard. "What is the matter, Mr. Tony?" The First Lady asked."Nothing to worry about ma'am. Just an emergency I need to attend quickly to" I said as I drove off with speed. Thunder was looking for something to confirm Trina's kidnap. But the mission of the Lotus went so smoothly. There were no traces like the last time. Douglas was such a smart guy with good tactics and vigor. He was now their saviour. They didn't take Trina to the usual spot any longer. They knew for sure that I would come there and have their balls given to the dogs f
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