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
There was nothing Pain didn't do to get Professor Walcott's forgiveness. He became a god that Pain worshipped every now and then. Pain was getting really frustrated because Prof. Walcott was only making life difficult for him. Perplexed, Pain visited another lecturer of his - Dr. Bright Immanuel, at his residence at the west end in New York. He had told him earlier that he wanted to discuss a very important issue with him and the man was available anytime to hear his problems. Pain took a cab to his house that evening hopeful that he would be helpful in solving the problem he had with the Professor. The doctor was the only one at home that fateful day. His family had travelled for the wedding of a family friend. He couldn't go along with them because it was during the week and it was a sin to miss lectures a day for Dr. Bright so he had to be there. He was one of the most hardworking and brainy lecturers but he wasn't as strict as Professor Walcott. In fact, students liked to be ar
Pain could not thank Dr. Bright enough for his counsel. He got him some beverages and took it to his residence to show his appreciation. Dr. Bright wasn't going to accept it if not because Pain came unannounced. Eugene miraculously regained his strength and was whole again. He could now speak out more than before and he was ready to go hard and save Sarah who we had no idea where she could be. We went to the end of the road. The exact spot we stopped chasing Numbers and started into space. There was just one boat but it was without a sailor. Ashley knew could use a pedal but we couldn't find any. We had to improvise by cutting down hard sticks we could manage until we got to our destination. We had extra in the boat so in case we needed another, we won't have to start looking for it again. We were on a voyage to some unknown place again unsure of what the outcome would be. We were just going as if we had a prize for each minute we spent on the river. There was another sailor coming
We didn't care about the hotness of the sun. We just kept walking as far as our legs could take us. It wasn't too long when we arrived at the "town". It was as though we were in another country entirely. The place looked really beautiful with the degree of creativity and innovation that went into the structures and roads that led to different paths around the place. The road was really busy. It was just as busy as the former capital of the country where I used to live with the Don before we relocated. Hawkers were doing their businesses as passerbys did theirs. The place was really admirable but we didn't get distracted because we had a mission we must accomplish. "Where are we going to find Sarah?" That was the biggest question on my mind and I could also read that same question on the faces of the Dark Dragons. It was rather a very difficult thing to think about. We were just walking without direction. But we needed to get it right and know exactly where we were going but there wa
Our hopes were lost but I assured the others that we were going to find Sarah again if they had good faith. We locked ourselves in the room trying hard to come up with a brilliant idea because we couldn't just go out there and waste our time. We also needed to ensure that Charlie or any other member of Lotus didn't find us in the streets and take Sarah elsewhere. We needed to be really smart about it so we sat down in one of the rooms and begged God to come to our aid. I tried calling Phillippe on the phone again and to our greatest surprise, he picked up the call. I couldn't believe my eyes. Fire was going to do the acting because was the only one rehearsing for it. It was too sudden for me to take up the role because I was only calling without faith. I never knew it was going to go through. Fire began to talk. He was speaking with the same accent of the people that dominated that town. He told Phillippe that he found the phone in a gutter just around the market and Phillippe said
I kept on turning my neck from left to right because I wasn't convinced that there was no one left in the house yet. Fire and Eugene had the same feeling because they heard a sound but they weren't sure if it was from the house or not. I wanted to ensure that everyone was down before we left the place so our journey back home can go smoothly. I was tired of the back and forth that Lotus had caused us and we were not going to let them go scot free like that. We were going to see to it that none was left behind to cause any further trouble. Thunder was already in the car, waiting for us. He kick-started the car as he was ready to move. He hooted impatiently because we were taking much time and we had no time on our side. Sarah wasn't breathing well. She was really exhausted and she had to receive treatment as soon as possible. Ashely ran towards the car to know why Thunder was making the noise. "Don't raise any alarm, Thunder!" Ashley said. "Why are you all taking so much time in th
I ran to the other side of the compound where I had shot Charlie on the leg. The pool that he laid beside was soaked in his blood and it looked really irritating from a distance. I grasped. But it is over now. I looked at him by his legs without any pity and dragged him to the front of the building where Phillippe and Matilda hid themselves. I was so sure as hell that they were in there and I was going to sin against God one last time. I drew out the fuel in the big generator beside the security house. It had more than five litres of petrol in it and it was enough for me. Ashley was wondering what I wanted to do and he asked too many questions but I simply told him to stand and have a good look. I soaked some rags in the fuel and hung them on the windows around the building. I begged God and the Don for forgiveness in advance then I liked it. I watched the house burn and Ashley and I ran away. Thunder had already taken Fire, Eugene and Sarah to the hospital. Sarah needed oxygen badl
The doctors did all they could do to see Sarah back on her feet again. The hospital was quite expensive. They said it was one of the best in the entire town and judging by the dent in my bank account, Sarah was treated with care. This was all that I hoped for in this jungle that we came. I just wanted to see Sarah hale and healthy again and take her to her father who is already dying to see her. It was when we were set to leave the village of doom that we realised that we had only wasted our time travelling through the river. I had begun to think that there was certainly another route for Charlie to have come from all the way with his car. We met two experienced drivers who were willing to take us back to base if we would pay them well. Ivasked Trina to make necessary preparations for the burial ceremony so as soon as we arrived, we would bury the dead immediately. She did so and everything was set. She went to town to purchase two coffins and met with the security men at the state
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