ON THE RUN (EPISODE 17)

Sanmi couldn't believe what he saw. Trust is like a paper once it’s crumpled, it can’t be perfect. He stood still, gazing at the foul movement of the two, covered under the blanket. With a clenched hands, his face squeezed to a frown and his eyes glow in rage. Not having a single clue of the person under the bed with his wife raised his anger. He peeked at Dede’s room, then turned fully towards its direction. If Dede wasn't in his room, then, nothing would change Sanmi’s mind from the notion that Dede was presently under the blanket with his wife. He rushed to the door and kicked it open. It looked abandoned. He slowly walked in.

Sanmi scattered his gaze at different angles of the room, the dirty wall, the torn curtain, the edges of the ceiling ruled by cobwebs and the missing mattress on the spring bed-frame. He swiped his finger on the dusty table and walked out of the room, concluding in his heart that Dede had moved into the main house. Nobody messes around with a soldier, not even a soldier who just escaped death. Sanmi scurried back to the house, to the door, and forced his way in, cracking the bolt. Someone was going to pay a quick visit to heaven, maybe hell, as Sanmi reached for a knife in the kitchen and tiptoed to the room. Were these two so absorbed in the act that they weren't aware of his presence, or perhaps the heavy sound the door produced when it kissed the floor? He grabbed the hem of the blanket and hauled it away to reveal their shameful act. Oops! His red eyes puffed out of its socket, in surprise, seeing the person who laid with his wife.

He felt the slap on his face, but ignored its effect on his cheek. Sanmi wanted to see the end of his dream. His wife was pleading and was about explaining, when another slap landed on his cheek. This time, he couldn't resist the pain. He sprang up to his feet and was welcomed by the morning sun, which stood proud on the firmament. And most importantly, the cocking sound of the guns that greeted him ‘good morning,’ extinguished the memory of the dream he had.

“Nigerian soldier, you kill my boy and trying to run run go.” The Rebel-Leader said, hoping he communicated well in English.

Fear consumed Sanmi. The goose bumps that immediately formed on his body were as tall as mountains and his heart raced very fast, fast enough to hear it pulse. He shook his head to disagree to the fact that he killed the rebels, because explaining himself would complicate things. It definitely will.

The Rebel Leader groaned. “Nigerian soldier kill Tukur! You kill Tukur, my son. I will kill you.” He stuck his pistol under Sanmi’s jaw.

Sanmi shivered, realizing his days on earth ticked.

“Leave him alone. I did what you accused him of. If you so wish to kill him, then kill me.” The General said, with a frown on his face, ready to bear Sanmi’s cross. He still could voice his opinion, even while he was apprehended; his hands tied from behind, and with a gun pointing to his head.

The General wasn't as fearful as Sanmi had thought. He happened to be very nice and selfless. The Rebel-Leader’s attention was stolen by the General.

With his index finger in the trigger guard, he rolled his pistol and walked to the General. “Hero General! You want do die for him? You kill Tukur, but me won’t kill you until I get my dollars.” He said, in the General’s face, then, signaled them to be taken away.

Struggling, resisting to go with them, the General cried out. “You’re getting nothing! I mean nothing! No kobo! You’d better kill me.”

“General want to die quick quick. Don’t worry, I will kill you.” The Rebel-Leader muttered under his breath.

Sanmi grew uneasy, the rebel who led him on shoved him unnecessarily. He threw a peek at the rebel, and smirked. This was just a blip on the radar for him. He knew what he was capable of. And if he did it once, he could do it again.

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

He stared at the screen of his phone, wondering who the caller was. Dede hissed as he drifted his mind back to his present pickle. Since it wasn't Salewa’s number, he decided not to answer the call. Perhaps it could be Ireti, he gave it a second thought. He shrugged off, silencing the nagging voice urging him to pick up the call. He had more pressing issues and wasn't ready to add up to it by making just another mistake.

The call dropped.

Dede rushed to the window at the sound of various passing vehicles. His tearful eyes ransacked the busy street, hoping to find a green Toyota Avensis that would approach the house, with Ireti sitting behind the wheels. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

“Wetin this aunty dey do me no good o. Time don dey go now and I no even know where she commot go.” Dede grumbled, as he walked back to the bedroom, from the sitting room.

He sat on the bed,  staring forlornly at the wardrobe. An idea struck his troubled mind. She promised to give him the dress. Whether she gave him in person or he took it without her consent, the promise was fulfilled. Dede walked to the wardrobe, and flung its door open. His eyes scanned through the cloths that hung neatly on the hangers. His hands soon joined in the quest. He didn't find the cloth hanging. He had no choice than to find the cloth, else his visit was totally in vain.

He hissed. “Where she keep this cloth na?” Dede stood at akimbo, wondering where she hid her other cloths.

He caught a glimpse of a bag in the wardrobe. He bent into it and found they were two, one blue and the other black. He dragged them out, then sat to comfort on the bed. No doubt, the cloth would be in here, he said to himself as he unzipped the first. He dipped his hand in the bag, pulling out and checking the cloths one after the other. He extracted a blue gown, which marked the last piece in the bag, and was disappointed.

He tossed the blue bag away, and brought in between his legs the other. Zip! What?!

“Jesus! Holy Jesus!”

Dede couldn't believe what he saw. He dashed to the door and bolted it. For now, he needed some privacy. The thought of Salewa melted away from his mind. He grew nervous, praying Ireti never returned till he finish the task at hand. He reached for the window and ensured the curtain properly blocked any unwanted views.

Just as he was about unraveling the bag, a knock hit the door.