ON THE RUN (EPISODE 16)

He never saw that coming. With a red bulging eyes fixed on Ireti, and a puckered brow, Dede softly rubbed his cheeks. His brain ran wide like Google, in quest of finding an answer to the bugging question, why on earth was he slapped? He found none.

After a long pause, Ireti smiled and said, “I expected you to have eaten me up by now. And not you standing here looking at me like a stripper.”

Eaten? Literally or otherwise? Still with his palm on his cheek, Dede threw his right hand behind her waist, then yanked her closer, close enough to feel her bosom on him. Not taking further action as their gazes clash will only show how weak he was, so Dede sent his idle hand behind her neck, tilting her head a little forward, and then stuck his tongue through her lips into her mouth. Only God could tell where he learnt those tricks from. He didn't have a television to watch even the network news, far from now watching Mexican movies.

Ireti enjoyed the whole moment their mouths had close fellowship. Her hands gripped his back until her fingernails bit through the T-shirt and into his skin. Dede drove his fingers through her hair, inching her towards the bed, their tongues still hovering in their mouths. The solemn tune that played on the stereo, beside Ireti’s bed, mingled with the current affair, augmenting the burning desire in them.

“Let’s take it...”

Ireti didn't wait to hear that. She reached for the bottom of his shirt and sent it flying across the room. She held her gaze fast as their bodies touched and collided, aching and straining with a need that had yet to be met. Their weight sunk the bed, as Ireti groped for the switch-extension, dangling by the headboard, to set the lights off. Click! The light goes out and the room was set for battle. Ireti reached for Dede, grabbed him by the waist and hauled out his belt, at a drag. If he wasn't scared of sexually transmitted diseases, at least he should for unwanted pregnancy.

He quickly brought out the guard from his pocket, but Ireti restlessly knocked it out of his hand. Her lower body arched against him, begging, pleading for more. Ireti grew wild. She tugged out his jeans out his legs, then fumbled for his boxers.

“Aunty aunty e don fall.” Dede held tightly, with both hands, his pipe.

“What?” Ireti frowned at the unnecessary interruption.

“The protection.”

“What are you protecting? Headache or catarrh? Which? Cos I really don’t get. I should be the one protecting myself here.” She rushed. “God knows how many girls you have slept with...after Salewa.”

“Ha! So oga madam tell...” He sounded, shocked.

Ireti interjected. “...Yes of course. Even before her nko? You must have penetrated all those dirty barrack girls with this...this thing.”

Ireti yanked his grip off his crotch, and slowly pulled his boxers out of his legs. If that’s what she wanted, he was able and capable to the task. He hadn't meant for things to get so out of hand, so quickly, but the tempest of desire swirling inside him wouldn't be denied also. He pinned her to the bed like an angry wrestler, slipped her panties down and raised her hips to help him, anything to satisfy the aching need. Just like a penalty kick with no keeper in the goal, the ball hit the target without a thought of accuracy.

Was the night short? That, Dede couldn't answer as the beam of light from the sun forced its way through the window and hitting him on his sleepy face. He sprang out of bed, like a job hunter late for an interview. His gaze scattered around the pink wall for a clock, to be sure his head was still going to hang on his neck. 7:33 A.M. Dede grew nervous.

“Aunty! Aunty!” He called out, as he went around fetching his cloths.

No response, Ireti was not in the house. The clock ticked on. His eyes grew red, pacing around the whole house, scared, lost in thought, praying Salewa shouldn't check up on him this morning as she normally did when she had some of her cloths with him. He visited every opening that had a door; the kitchen, the toilet, the bathroom, the store, and even the wardrobe, all in search of Ireti. He sighed in weariness, and almost immediately his phone rang.

*************************************

He was tenacious all the way, protecting the General, firing at the rebels as they dashed through the forest. The General gasped and was about fainting. It was a rough run.

“I want to rest.” He cried.

“You can’t rest here sir.” Sanmi hollered, then threw his gaze at the advancing angry rebels.

“I just need to rest.”

“Sir! You rest here, you rest in peace.” Sanmi pulled the trigger at the rebels.

Pow! Pow!! They returned fire and increased their pace towards them.

“Just go. I have come to the end of the road.” He gasped again.

Sanmi slung his rifle, then pulled the General to his feet and heaved him on his shoulder. When the going gets tough, only the tough gets going. Sanmi couldn't leave his boss behind, to be killed or held captive as a prisoner of war. His strides were short, but quick, moving in a zigzag, dodging the rapid fire the rebels released. More like carrying four bags of cement, Sanmi endured the weight of the General, until he finally escaped the rebels to their camp. From afar, the military medical personnel rushed towards them and helped them to the emergency ward. They gave Sanmi and the General a fast treatment to get them back on their feet.

Now, the parade was formed and all waited for the arrival of the General. He had called for the parade to address them. Not too long did he arrive, then walked to the podium, before the microphone, to speak.

“I’m so impressed with your gallantry. You have all showed your support and commitment to me and to our country, Nigeria and to the United Nation. No doubt you all possess the spirit of brotherhood. Espirit de corps!” The General grinned. “Now, I can’t but show more gratitude to a brave officer, who risked his life to save me. He came. He saw. And he conquered. Captain Sanmi match outside.”

His face broadened with joy and a smile tugged his lips. It was a rare privilege to be called out amidst other combatant officers. He dug his heels in, squared his shoulders, chinned up, matching with pride to meet the General.

Sanmi halted, and saluted, then he remained still for the General’s next command.

“Captain Sanmi got married last month and here he is for this peace-keeping exercise. I hereby dismiss him to go home and meet with his heartthrob.” The General threw a glance at Sanmi and smiled. “You may all go back to your respective duty post or camps as the case may be.”

The General turned around and left the parade.

For him to spend another second in the camp seemed like punishment. He jumbled his belongings inside his luggage, then rushed inside the vehicle that conveyed him to the airport. It appeared like twelve hours, but it was just five hours on air that he landed Lagos. He couldn't wait to see his wife. He planned showing up without informing her, just as a form of surprise. He immediately stopped a taxi and he was driven home.

Home sweet home. He paid off the cab-man, then he stood staring at the entrance of the house, hoping Salewa had come out. He inched to the door and knocked, but he got no reply. He knocked again, and the situation was unchanged. He dropped his luggage in front of the door, then decided to check up on her in their room, through the window, from the other side of the house. He watched his steps, as he didn't want to spoil the surprise. Now at window, he stood on his toes and his bulging eyes met a surprise. Women were not to be trusted, as said by the General. The truth hit him like a thunderbolt.