ON THE RUN (EPISODE 5)

He glided pass every officer, who sternly gazed at him like he did what Hitler didn't do. Though scared, Sanmi girded up his loins, walked valiantly to the Colonel, ready to carry out any task given.

He saluted. “Here I’m Sir!”

“You solely attacked the rebels without sending any signal to the OC Operations. You partly cleared the threat and now you've opened our cover. The Commander is with them and they’re demanding for ransom.”

“I and my men will charge through and...”

“Shut up!” The battalion commander interrupted, stamping his right foot, then pointed at him. “You’re too forward. Just don’t know what’s the problem with you young officers of nowadays.”

“Sorry Sir.”

“You better wake up, else I’ll lock you up.” He cleared his throat. “You’ll tactically advance with some troops to the rebels camp, spy them well, then send their strength to us.”

“Okay Sir!” Sanmi saluted. “Permission to carry on Sir?”

“Right away.”

Sanmi, with a frown on his face, called out some soldiers from the parade. They scuttled out of their ranks without a second thought. Ten of the soldiers stood before him, with their rifles slung behind their back.

“We’re going on a spy mission around Nyala towards Zamzam, the rebels’ most suspected hideout. The commander was captured this morning or perhaps yesterday night. So we’re going to find out the exact situation of things. So, how’s the moral?!”

“High!” They resounded, unslung their guns, raising it in the air.

“Are you good to go?”

“Good to go! Good to go! Good to go!” They cheered up aloud, severally hitting the magazine of their AK-47.

Sanmi could manage a smile, knowing he had able men who not only willing to die for a cause, but also happy to. He turned around, threw a glimpse at the battalion commander, who still kept his gaze at him, knitting his brow.

Sanmi matched on the soldiers through a carved path in the forest. They advanced in a single file, synchronizing their steps after Sanmi’s. After covering a distance of about seventeen kilometers, their legs became heavy to carry, and their khaki drenched with sweat. While some sucked the nub of their bottle, controlling the flow of water into their mouth, some chewed the sugar cane they’d kept in smaller chunks in their pouches. Still, they paced on as fast as they could.

He raised his fist. They halted. Sanmi ordered them to get on their knees, concealing their aspect from been seen from afar, then he signaled one of his men to come.

“Look at that tree. Not sure if it’s a mango tree.” Sanmi pointed, narrowing the perspective of the soldier.

“Seen sir.”

“Go ahead and check if the area is clear.”

“Ok sir.”

Sanmi patted the scout’s back as he zigzagged ahead of them. Sanmi instructed the soldiers, who saw the wait as an opportunity to rest, to remain on guard until the scout returns. They were all on the look out when they heard a gunshot from afar.

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

She wondered why Salewa got the very best of the men around her. The one who had enough money to spend on her and a good look to compliment her. She also got an extra service-machine, actively assisting her husband while he’s away. Ireti lost in thought as she sat, patiently, in the traffic jam. The song that aired from the radio reminded her of Ronald’s Lounge. The very place she had lost her dream man to her friend. She still couldn't let go of Sanmi after that night. Sanmi walked into the lounge, looking dapper, fondling with his keys as he approached the bar. Ireti quickly drew Salewa’s attention to him.

“Babes, this bobo set o.” Salewa said, sipping her juice.

“I swear. This is exactly what I begged God for. Exact same.” Ireti glued her eyes on him.

With a glass of Irish whiskey, Sanmi nodded his head to the music that played, inching towards them.

“Don’t pose so cheap o.” Ireti whispered, looking down her cleavage, adjusted her gown, then held her glass of cappuccino.

Salewa smiled a bit, crossing her legs. She again grinned at him as he asked to join them on the table, which they gladly agreed. From behind his dark shades, Sanmi couldn't deny seeing how endowed Ireti was with a well inflated chest.

“I’m Sanmi.” He stretched forth his hand towards Ireti.

“Ireti.” She locked her palm in his.

Salewa immediately excused them, went to bar to sit.

“You look so...”

“Hey, please don’t start.” Ireti cut in. “I've heard those lines for like forever, so please change it and besides I’m not interested.”

She could read the disappointment on his face, wishing she could take back her words. Yet, she proved tough, ignoring it. The music changed and Sanmi thought it was better to try another move. He stood to his feet, took a sip of his whiskey, then he asked Ireti to dance with him. Without hesitation, she declined his request. He walked away to Salewa, tendering to her the same request. Never for once has Salewa missed an opportunity to dance when she could, far from now dancing with a man she’d loved to be hers. She hung to it. It all played like an Indian movie before her, Ireti watched Sanmi dance to solemn rhythm of the music, holding Salewa by her waist.

“I won’t let you go, baby. I pray to hold you forever and ever and ever. Cos you’re my princess, the very air I breath...” Ireti read meanings to the music that played like it was composed for the two folks wiggling under the chandeliers.

She couldn't bear the wordings of the music again, plus what she saw pierced her heart, so she walked out to the lounge.

The traffic jam had disappeared, but Ireti didn't move. The LASTMA officials from afar, wondered what went wrong. A knock hit her window, it jolted her back to life. She tried accelerating, but was stopped by the LASTMA official and ushered to their office for interrogation.