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
Sarah couldn't wait to be home with her father and I was going to take her home finally. Just immediately after the burial. I could now call Mr. Wellington to inform him that we found Sarah and she would be home with him shortly. But Sarah asked me not to bother about that. She was just only to take him by surprise. I quickly took my bath and changed into another dress as the one I was wearing was soaked in sweats already. Sarah waited for me in the living room while I rushed to the bathroom and in another few minutes, I was out and set. She joined me in my vehicle and I drove down to her father's mansion. I was having many thoughts cross my mind as we approached Wellington's residence. I recalled the tone with which Mr. Wellington spoke to me the last time and how he must be feeling right now. The way he spoke to me, he would just have my head for dinner. But I didn't care. I pressed down the accelerator still. The security were shocked to see Sarah. They all looked at me, suspici
Mr. Wellington was really perturbed that night. He was just moving from one room to the other thinking hard of how to provide his daughter with good security. Though he was going to warn her never to leave the house without his consent, that wouldn't be enough. He had to do something to ensure that his only daughter didn't get kidnapped the second time. The thought that I burned Phillippe alive denied me of my sleep that night. I was still staring at Maggie's message but soon, it became too blurry and my face was soaked with tears. That was how tears usually flowed from my eyes whenever I stayed up late at night. Aunty Raina would say it was because of the too many cassava flakes I used to take while I was still in the cocoon of poverty. My belly rumbled. It must be hunger. I suddenly realised that food didn't pass through my mouth since morning. When others were getting something for themselves, I had lost my appetite completely. I didn't just feel like eating anything at all but n
Uloma and her family were still the same. Nothing changed for them at all. There wasn't any form of progress in their lives. They were just there at the house, living like church rats. Even church rats were better than them now. Their poverty was renewed. It was as though God poured down wretchedness upon them because that was just the best word to describe them with - wretched. Now that life was dealing with hard really hard, they went to pay John a visit pretending to congratulate him for his success at CELL. John received them warmly forgetting all that they did to him past. They begged him to kindly speak to his friend to forgive them. But John wasn't going to do that after how we barked at each other the last time. He narrated the scenerio to them again and advised that they come to the office to meet him in person. He couldn't afford to ruin his friendship with me for the sake of some useless fellows like Uloma and her family. It was a hard thing for them to do. They wanted Jo
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