ON THE RUN (EPISODE 18)

The owner of the house had returned. There was no way Dede could get the bag of money out of the house. He looked around for any opening, big enough, to shove the bag through.

The knock hit the door again.

This time, Dede packed the whole cloths on the bed and dumped them back in the bag. He dropped the bags in the wardrobe, closed its door and forged on to open the door.

“Hey, why did you bolt my door?” Ireti demanded immediately she entered.

He pointed his finger to the bedroom and couldn't say a word, as he had no answer to her question.

“What happened? Why are you pointing? Anyone inside with you?” Ireti grew curious, shuffling her gaze between his guilty face and the path to her bedroom.

Dede inched behind her. “Nobody is inside.”

She paused, almost at the bedroom, turned to him and asked again. “So why on earth did you bolt my door?”

Ireti knitted her brow, expecting a resolved answer. Then, after some seconds of proper deliberation he finally figured out what to say. “When I wake up, I find you for inside and I no see you. I fear come go find you for outside, and I no still see you. I now enter inside...”

“Hey! Please it’s okay. I needed just a simple answer, not an epistle.” Ireti interjected. “Are you ready so I may drop you off?”

“Ehm... What of the oga madam dress you wan give me?”

“It’s in the car. I rushed out to pick it up from my dry-cleaner when I realized it wasn't among my cloths.” She wiggled inside the bedroom. “You can wait for me by the car. I want to change.”

Within a blink of an eye, Ireti locked her house, hit the automatic key-lock of her car, which alerted Dede that the car-door was now opened. Though his mind never drifted away from the bag of money lying in Ireti’s wardrobe, he still could admire her, as she walked towards the car. His gaze traveled over her form-fitting grey blouse, which was buttoned to her chin but failed to hide well-rounded bosom, resting on her blue jeans. Ireti appeared casual with the face-cap, but irresistibly beautiful to the eyes that could see.

Silence filled the car. Not even a hum to the song that played on the car-stereo. Debts had been paid, promises perfectly fulfilled, therefore romantic contract was over. Like seriously? It really wasn't over for Dede. As a matter of fact, the relationship just kicked off, because that seemed to be the gateway in retrieving the money he left behind in her house. Far from what bothered Dede, all that consumed her mind was her long absence from her boutique. Ireti’s boutique was all that she relied on. Though she looked classy, both in her appearance and in act, they were all sheer packaging.

She had felt suspicious for some weeks that funds were swindled by her employees; she had two sales girls and an errand boy. That faithful day, Ireti overheard one of the sales girl discuss with the other, saying, “...this my palasa needs an upgrade. To tell the truth, Iphone five is my next target. And before the ending of this month I will get one.” How on earth would a girl within the age range of twenty to twenty-three get such money from, whose monthly salary was mere twelve thousand naira? Ireti wondered. Her ears itched, and she so wished she had hung around to eavesdrop the rest of the conversation. She just had to pay close attention to her business now, handle the record-books, sign miscellaneous drafts and monitor every kobo traveling out of the shop.

Dede cleared his throat, distorting Ireti’s rapid imagination. He twisted his head to the side and met her gaze.

“What?” Ireti asked, with a soft tone. “That’s the dress on the seat behind, if that is what you want to ask.”

“No.”

“Then what?” Ireti focused on the road ahead, changing the gear to another speed-level.

“I want to ask if I fit come greet you some other time.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“...No I mean for afternoon o.” Dede stuttered between the lines.

A smile edged the corners of Ireti’s mouth. She shrugged, and said yes to his fishy request. Dede shined a grin, as his mission had gotten an headway. Ireti sped on. They were almost at Amdala Barracks, so Ireti pulled over few meters away. Dede alighted and without delay, Ireti zoomed off. He took few steps towards the barrack gate, then he heard a someone call his name. Dede turned around and was bolted from the blue. Busted?

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

Education they say is key, apparently the key to unlock the golden door of freedom. But this lacked the rebels, having kept Sanmi and the General, both, in the same cage. The rebels actually might not be as foolish as it seemed, assigning two fully armed men to stay on guard, watching over the cell.

No more bayonet. No more pistol. No weapon sort of to aid set them loose. Even then, their hands were tied from behind. Sanmi again sprout a sense of escape. This time he was ready to confront anything, so mean and ready to die. Desperate times calls for desperate measures.

“Sir, come closer.” Sanmi whispered to the General, then returned his eye to the keyhole.

The General walked to him, minding his steps. “What are you looking at?” He asked quietly, then bent to take a look.

“Nobody is around, save these two standing here.” Sanmi excused the keyhole for the General.

The General looked keenly, scanned the horizon his eye could see, then stood erect to understand the point behind Sanmi’s idea. “What are you thinking, Captain?”

“Sir, it’s simple but risky. We would get those two inside here and get ourselves outside there. Sir, our some of soldiers are still held hostage here in this suburb. And we have to do all we can to get everybody back to camp safe and alive.”

The General reasoned along, even though his heart skipped within the second. “Okay, we need to get this ropes off first.” The General turned around, showing Sanmi his bundled hands.

“That’s no problem.” Sanmi smiled, then sent his teeth to work on the ropes.

“I love your courage, officer.”

“I love my country sir.”

“Hasten up please. I can here some footsteps.” The General muttered.