ON THE RUN (EPISODE 9)

Dark, very dark, the room he was caged. Sanmi woke up to see this darkness, he had strolled out of the world the moment the gun hit his head. Seated on the floor, he groped for his pistol in his pouches, but felt nothing in them. The rebels had seized all the weapons he possessed. Some even argued, he should be stripped off his clothes to ascertain he had nothing else to attack with. ‘Nigerian soldiers are full of surprises,’ the thought that rang in their petite minds.

Quickly, Sanmi reached for his boot, hoping strongly he had meet his bayonet. He smiled, pulling it out of his left boot. He stood, then scrabbled around trying to find the door. It was too dark to see anything. Thud! He fell, bumping into a strange object on the ground. He got back up as swift as he could, ready to stab anything it could be. Eyes bulging to the unknown, ears filled with silence, a puckered face, and a heart pounding very fast, Sanmi crept backward, holding firm his bayonet.

“Who are you?” Sanmi released the breath he had held, having heard a mooing  sound, which satisfied his curiosity that he just collided with a person, a hostage.

The moo again. Sanmi kept his bayonet in his pouch, then watched his steps towards the hostage, confirming the person had his mouth sealed with tape.

Sanmi loosened the tape, giving him voice. “Thank you very much. Thank you.” The hostage breathe loudly through his mouth.

Sanmi took few steps backward, then got hold of his bayonet again. “Who are you?”

“Please, my hands are tied.”

Sanmi chuckled. “I won’t repeat my question again, otherwise count yourself dead.” Sanmi gripped the bayonet handle tighter, laying emphasis on each word. “Who are you?”

With a shaky voice, the hostage replied, “Sir, I’m Brigadier General Bassey from Nigeria.”

“Oh my God!” Sanmi mouthed, slotting his bayonet inside his boot.

“Sir, please don’t kill me. I beg you.” The General said, to fill the long silence in the room.

Sanmi voiced after deliberating for some seconds, “Sir, it’s me.”

“You, who?” The General asked, still trembling.

“Captain Sanmi, the commander of number four platoon.”

The General could draw Sanmi’s face vividly in his mind, as he could manage a smile now that he knew he was safe. Sanmi groped his way to the General, whose hands were bundled together behind him. As he brought out his bayonet to cut the rope, light rays forced its way in through the vent situated inches above the iron door, partly illuminating the room. The rebels were close, very close. Sanmi met the steady gaze of the General and knew he had to hasten up in setting him loose. With his eyes fixed on the door, Sanmi severed the rope and that second, the door opened.

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Her heart skipped a bit. Quickly, Ireti stood up, pulled up her jeans, mumbling words to herself. Dede’s mind took a tour round the space, multitasking, thinking where he’d hide Ireti and what exactly he’d tell Salewa to convince or perhaps confuse her. Dede peeked at every suitable corner in the room he could conceal Ireti, who was busy fastening her belt.

“Dede! I guess you are deaf.” Salewa growled, fuming at the click of every second. “And if you think you are not going to open this door this minute, just pack your filthy bags and leave my house.”

Dede threw his hands on his head like a footballer who lost a penalty kick. Ireti hissed, having found nowhere to hide in the room. It looked like a cell, the only difference was electricity which was not even constant. Ireti perambulated the room, with her index finger in between her teeth, pondering.

“Enter here.” Dede mouthed, pointing under the bed.

Ireti went on her knees, then took a glance at the dungeon Dede suggested. She shook her head to disagree, but Dede pleaded her cause. Ireti rolled under the bed and was immediately welcomed by cobwebs that ruled the region like forever. She held her breath as Dede opened the door.

“You must be stupid.” Salewa said, pushing Dede off the doorframe, entering fully into the room. “Will you tell me you didn't hear me knocking?”

Dede wiped off the sweats that trickled down his bare chest. “Oga madam, I didn't hear you ma. I was asleep and I no know when you come ma.”

“Sleeping in the afternoon? Imagine!” Salewa clapped her hands in contempt, then stifled a laugh. “Orisirisi, so because I didn't give you clothes to iron, you now slept off like like like what I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry ma.” Dede said softly, bowing his head to avoid eye contact.

“Sorry for yourself.” Salewa cleared her throat, scrolling through her phone. “Where is my friend?”

“Who ma?” Dede acted surprise.

“Don’t tell me you don’t know when Ireti parked her car in the garage.” She pointed to the Ireti’s car through the window.

Dede switched, acting confused.

“Oh my God! So my house is no longer safe. It’s okay, I don’t have your time now.” Salewa said, concentrating on her phone.

Dede’s eyes almost bulged out of its socket, seeing Ireti’s phone on the bed. Was Salewa about to call Ireti? He never could tell.