Trina called everyday to check up on us and she would ask if we were all fine a thousand and one times. She was really bothered about us because we were taking longer than planned. We had planned that we were only going to spend three days in the "wilderness.” Trina complained about Maggie's constant nightmares. She always saw Malid chasing her in her dreams and then and would disturb the serenity that came with the night. Trina advised her to stop thinking about Malid because he was beginning to drive her crazy. She could no longer sleep at the visitor's room. She had to move into Trina's room but it wasn't getting any better. She would still aloud at night in fear. That morning when Trina called, the dream changed. She dreamt about Thunder and I. It was a bad dream. She saw us in a tunnel, struggling to go out of it but we didn't see light at the end of it. The dream sounded really odd to me. Maggie must be over thinking. I asked Trina to ensure she had her eyes on her and had eno
Mama's plants shot up from the soil and graced the compound with a beautiful sight. She planted different vegetables around the house so she could cut them easily and make soup for herself. She no longer cared about what her daughters, Lizzy and Uloma ate or drank. It was their business if they fed on sand or their urine. She was fed up and could not bear the burden of three any more. Lizzy and Uloma were ready for the punch from her mother. She had started to give them signs of neglect and they had to face it because according to Mama, "I have tried my best".Lizzy and Uloma couldn't deny that fact. Mama was truly there for them. Things were hard coupled with the demise of her husband. It has been a hell of a job for her to single handedly raise two female daughters in the economic backwardness of the nation. She had to make them realise that it made no sense that they eat the food made by their mother at their embarrassing ages. Mama was expecting much from Lizzy and Uloma but the
Mama had become a devil that her children feared so much. Lizzy locked herself up in the room, fearfully. Mama's reaction was really suspicious. She couldn't just think of what action Mama would take next but she was really scared that something bad was going to follow her confession. It was really weird to Uloma and she lost her peace almost immediately after Lizzy's confession. Mama didn't even wait to let Lizzy explain further. She just acted as though all that she was saying didn't make any sense to her. It was a day before the day we had all agreed to "disappear" and we were secretly packing our bags and getting set for the journey ahead of us. Sarah was still on the sick bed but with her state of health, the sick bed was no longer befitting for her. She was hale and healthy and no one could deny that fact even she herself. Infact, she wanted us to leave immediately but the native doctor was on our way and we just had to take everything slow so as to laugh last. The native doc
It was the same thing for everyone else. They didn't feel comfortable any longer and our minds knew no peace. We had to start thinking of the possible place he could have taken Sarah. It definitely couldn't be the hut because he knew we were there before he ushered us into his house. We had just even passed through the hideout and not a single soul was found there. It was Leviticus and Numbers that joined the native doctor to hatch the evil plot. They were all members of Lotus. One didn't have to be told that they were chained smokers. A direct look at their eyes and burnt mouth said it all. Numbers had a strong bike that travelled many miles. So he was by the gate with Leviticus as we were waiting for the native doctor in the backyard. He just wanted us off his way and his plan went smoothly. It was so unlike me. I mean, not to have foreseen that he was about to do something evil. I was too silent about what I felt about the man and it landed us in trouble. The native doctor knock
Malid continued to follow Maggie in her sleep but it soon became a reality. He started following her, claiming that he had something very important to say to her. She told Trina about it and Trina advised that she listened to whatever he had to say but Maggie was too adamant. She wouldn't even give him the chance because the sight of him alone irritated her. It didn't seem right to her to talk to someone who attempted to take her life and she wasn't going to see him. Malid noticed that I wasn't in town. He now had the guts to visit the company in my absence, claiming that he wanted to see Maggie but Maggie had warned the security men never to let him in. Maggie did not even try to guess what it could be. That he wanted to say. She wasn't interested in it a bit. There was nothing Malid did not do the make Maggie's heart soft so he could spend time with her. He now knew that she lived in my house and this was his greatest fear. He thought that Maggie and I were engaged already for she
She collapsed on the bed and her brains were soaked in the thoughts of Malid. The words I said to her were like straight bullets to the heart of a man. It penetrated deep into heart and she soon began to consider hearing what Malid had to say to her. But Trina must come with her if she wants her to consider her advice. Trina had no problem with that. The next time Malid called, she picked up the call and said nothing. She was waiting for Malid to speak before she said anything. Malid couldn't believe his eyes. It was so unexpected. He thought she wasn't going to pick up as usual. But she did, to his greatest surprise. He begged her not to hang up and she did so. The tone of his voice had changed. He was no longer talking like the aggressive Malid she used to know. He was really calm and collected in his words to her. He had not spoken to her like that in more than four years now. They agreed to meet somewhere very close to the house. It is an open space and public ground so there wa
The love Maggie had for Malid was so far away from her heart. It died the day she walked out of their relationship and nothing in this world was going to change her mind. Though she thought of him as she slept that night, her hatred for him was only getting renewed.When the brightness of the sun began to disturb Eugene, we took him to the hut where Sarah was kept for days. There was a small wooden bed that sat conspicuously at the left side of the small room. He laid there and we were all looking at him, pitifully. But we couldn't waste much time. We had to act really fast so we could rescue Sarah from Lotus. Numbers, Leviticus and the native doctor did not reach their destination until after about one hour and twenty-one minutes. It was so far and the road that led to the place was like a shapeless figure. They were just entering into gallops at intervals and the bike would bounce as though a basketball. Charlie was already there waiting for their arrival. He left the old woman's
The session was coming to an end and Pain was now in his final year at the university. He was really doing well in his academics and he studied as though his life depended on it. He was going to do everything to make us proud. He and his ex-girlfriend never came back together. They were just fine being apart. Pain was learning really hard to do away with women and face his studies squarely after his experience with his ex-girlfriend. He was going to fall in love with another but when it dawned on him, the numerous challenges that came with his first relationship, he withdrew himself to seeing the females around. His friends advised him because it wasn't making any sense to them that he would run away from associating with females because of just one lady. He readjusted but he still didn't fall in love because he wasn't ready for another journey to hell. It is so amazing how time flies. Pain was now preparing for his final defence. He had scaled through the days of academic struggle
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