ON THE RUN (EPISODE 3)

Now, it took courage to remain in the same position, and an extra courage to stand up and run, knowing fully well the attack towards them was massive. The resonance of their heartbeat was deafening and one could hear every spurt of blood that ran through their arteries. At the moment, Sanmi was too confused to issue any command, plus his subordinate too decisive to obey any, not even from a General. I got no spare life, Sanmi almost said as he solely stood to his feet to retreat. He gradually tiptoed, like a boy on the verge of stealing meat from his mama’s pot, in the same direction they’d trailed. The soldier, who could not afford to be held down as a prisoner of war, immediately tailed his boss. They crawled when they should, scurried when necessary, all to conceal their visage from the rebels. God saving their souls, they escaped.

“We made the rebels run for their dear lives.” Sanmi boasted to a Captain, a colleague of his.

“You and who?”

“One lance corporal like that. Hakeem or what’s that his name sef.” He removed his beret, and unbuttoned his shirt.

“Just the two of you?”

“Yes na. I’m ever gallant.”

The soldier, who almost lost his life to the silly action Sanmi took, walked pass them, heading on to the duty room to give the situation report. His testimony would either compensate Sanmi or land his behind in hell.

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

She ignored the beam of light from the sun that hit her sleepy face, burying her head under the pillow. The residual thought of Sanmi that lingered in her subconscious, effortlessly got her out of bed. She hurried into the bathroom, still crooning about the details in the paper. Not wanting to spend the usual hours in the bathroom, quickly, she let loosed her towel, and went under the shower.

Gbam! The door slammed. She heard, despite the splashing sound of the water that filled her ears.

“Who’s that?” She raised.

There was no response, save the echo of her voice that returned to her. Her pulse skipped a beat and her head began to bang in fear. She washed off her soapy face, turned off the shower, then wrapped herself in the towel. She crept out of the bathroom, then forged on to the sitting room.

“Good morning Ma.”

She jolted. Nervous, as the greeting caught her unaware. She held unto the knot  of her towel, sternly looking at him. He couldn't hide his dimples even while he pouted. His cherry red lips complemented his fair complexion. He was quite uncomfortable with the eye-feasting and the grave-silence, so he bowed his head in respect. His curly hair instantly melted her heart towards him. She walked to him, slipped her palm over his hair, feeling its wavy texture.

She raised his head. “Dede, good morning and why are you here?”

“I came to drop that invitation card Captain Dogo’s wife brought.” He pointed to the card on the glass stool, beside the sofa.

“Okay, you can go.”

“Okay ma.”                                                                            

He took few steps towards the door and turned around, admiring her behind as it bulged out of the towel. Hoping to hear a sound from the door, she turned around, and saw Dede staring at her.

“Sorry ma.” He immediately opened the door and left.

She opened the envelope, brought out the card, and scanned through it. A get-together party. Her heart was gladdened, smiling as she returned the card into the envelope. It was a sure way to forget her problems, she thought.

The ringing of her phone hastened her steps to the room. It was Ireti.

“Omo Salewa baby, fine girl no pimples, fine girl no spot. The only girl that looks radiant without bathing. Chai!” Ireti hailed as she fastened her wristwatch, with the phone glued to her ear, thanks to her shoulder. “I missed your call. I don sleep tey tey.”

With a broad smile on her face, Salewa replied, “Yeye girl. I know you can sleep on top of water. How far jor?”

“That question is meant for you.” Ireti winked, smiling as she bent to wear her shoe. “How did it go with your houseboy? Hmm, Salewa Salewa. Give me the goss abeg.”

“Leave that one aside first, we’ll talk about it when we see.”

“What’s the matter?”

Salewa cleared her throat, reached for the fluffy blue paper, skimmed through it to be ascertain of the information she was about to release.

“Salewa?”

“Ireti, Sanmi is sterile.”

TO BE CONTINUED...