THE KING'S PEN

She had a saurian eyes and they were festering with hatred for them. This really was a bad idea. Their hearts pounded against their rib cages and their neck hairs felt like pins with the terror of it all. The nosy woman, wearing a cream hijab on a long pitch-black jalamia, shuffled her gazes between Sanmi, the General and Dinah, inching closer to them.

“Hi.” Sanmi said, to fill in the awkward gap of silence.

She squeezed her curious face to a frown, squinting her eyes at him. Even though he summoned little courage amidst the ache he felt in his bleeding thigh, Sanmi couldn't help but imagine what had be going through her mulish mind.

“We mean no harm.” He said, then limped towards her. “I swear we mean no harm.”

The General stood, with his bulbous eyes, wondering what Sanmi was up to.

“She doesn't understand English.” Dinah said in a very low tone.

Oh! That’s true, Sanmi quickly recalled his experience with the rebel that captured him to the suburb. Now, her ignorance pricked her curiosity, she needed to know what the whispering and the eye gesture was all about. And seeing that there was no way she could stop being an ignoramus at the time, she decided to flee and call for help. She never trusted them anyway.

Pow!

The sound came out from the General’s rifle and the nosy woman fell freely to the dusty ground. Confusion rent the air as the dreadful sound had called more nosy attentions. Their faces shimmered like the morning sun, but it was a marrow-freezing moment. The deed had been done, no retreat no surrender.

Snooping faces began to show up at the scene, but then Dinah and the duo had taken to their heels, heading north, towards the thick chancy bush. The wind blew danger into their nostrils and their sensitive ears could pick from afar the hue and cry of the concerned neighbours that chased after them.

Ah! It hurt.

Titian-red blood spurted from his wounded thigh. Sanmi had strained the leg and it couldn't take him any further. He crouched on the spot.

“A little more endurance soldier...A little more.” Dinah finally took off the scarf covering her head, which the plucky breeze had tried removing, then she reached for his thigh and stopped the bleeding with it. “Better now? Okay, come on get up.”

The scream became louder and closer.

“Captain! Get up now!” The General frowned. “We are in the open. Let’s at least get into the bush which would better camouflage us.”

“Just try. Yes soldier, come on.” Dinah helped Sanmi up to his feet, threw his arm around her neck and they surged forward.

The rebels had quickly been hinted by the suburbia who lacked the physical strength to chase after Dinah and her friends. They caught every second of the time to get their ammunition ready. Retrieving the traitor and the runaway prisoners was a feat they wouldn't want to fail, as they hopped into five different SUV, each holding six angry rebels. They sped on, towards the only escape route out of the desolate suburb.

“I need to rest now sir.” Sanmi hitched to a giant tree and sat on its sprouted roots. “I have lost a lot blood. I am scared.” His voice deepened and his throat swelled with tears.

She shuffled to him. “I know how you feel. You won’t die.”

Mild and soothing was her voice, not only to his ears, but also to his heart. Her pointy cute nose, the perfect lining of her eyelashes, her supple jewel red lips and her long curly hair, knitted to form two ponytails, captured Sanmi’s sense of reasoning in a jiffy, and he could do nothing than to feast on her.

“I’m a nurse back in the US and a military attache, so I know and can tell you firsthand that you won’t die.”

He smirked.

“Oh no, I mean you won’t die because of this injury. All you need is a quick medical care.” She smiled.

The General’s teeth chattered and his spine tingled with fear as he saw, far afield, the troop of radicals alighting from their vehicles. “Let’s go! They are here. Now!”

They looked and saw what he saw. Quickly, Dinah pulled Sanmi to his feet, then they scurried to catch up with the General, who paced faster ahead of them.

Bratatat! The rebels fired into the unknown. Then, they saw a fuzzy visage of them running, some meters in front. The rebels ran faster, shooting rapidly at the escaping trio.

Thud! They jumped over a 5ft wall, built as a barricade in time past by some peacekeeping soldiers. She wiped away the beads of sweat formed all over her pretty face. She threw a wink at Sanmi, who slouched behind them, urging him to hurry. Dinah amazed these two troubled military men with her unwavering tenacious spirit, they just couldn't believe how brave a woman, of her colour and gentle demeanour, could be this strong.

Yet, Sanmi limped on, still very tired. The resonance of his heartbeat was earsplitting and his bones creaked with fear. Dinah paused, waiting for him to catch up with her, but that wasn't the case of the General, he moved on.

“I don’t think I can make it. My breathing is hard and my leg is heavy.” Sanmi bent, placing his hands on his kneecaps.

She got scared this time. “Just a little more please. Okay, take this.” Dinah took off the tiny silver bracelet she wore on her left wrist, and gave it to him. “This is a reward for you... for pushing pass the pain. Chelsea will sure be glad you had it.”

“Who’s Chelsea?” He stared into her blue eyes.

“My daughter...my only child.” She said after a short pause. “She gave that to me six years ago before I left home.” Her eyes saturated with tears as her heart raced very fast.

Sanmi closed the gap between them and lent her a hug. “I know how much you miss her. You will get to see her soon...I promise.”

The least he could give a woman who was ready to give him all was a little word of encouragement. But, promises should only be made by those who could actually bring them to pass.

Dinah’s tears dropped on Sanmi’s dirty shoulder and the tepid breath from her nostril graced his neck. Sanmi thought he’d do anything to get Dinah back to the US, to reunite with her daughter. Those wishes were only strong in his heart, but they weren't strong enough to face the reality life kicked at him.

Pow!

Titian-red blood slipped down Dinah’s nostril.

ON THE RUN (EPISODE 23)

by Unknown on 00:11

She had a saurian eyes and they were festering with hatred for them. This really was a bad idea. Their hearts pounded against their rib...

Within a split second, he resolved to act a drama to save his unfortunate self. He pulled out his shirt and laid, supine, on the floor, beside the brown wooden bed, covering his eye with his hands. Ireti perceived a daunting movement in her bedroom. She walked slowly on her toes to the kitchen and grabbed a knife. Ireti had always known that the best form of defense was attack. She inched her way back to her room, still on her toes.

“Who’s in there?!” Ireti hadn't been this scared in a while. “I’m with the police. Drop your weapons and come out now.”

“Aunty Aunty...” Dede groaned, rolling on the floor.

Her racing heart halted. She rushed into the room with confidence to confirm who the pained person was. Dede? She set aside the knife she was holding, then crouched beside him.

“God! What happened? What are you doing here?” She cared about the safe eye he covered, falling for his lie.

He groaned again. “Aunty...I forget the oga madam cloth wey you give me for inside your car. So I run come back come collect am, but I no meet you for house.” He coughed.

“Sorry. So what happened? How come my house is in a mess?” Ireti relieved her thigh of the pain that signaled at her hips, grounding her behind.

“I see two big big men inside the house when I enter. The slap wey dem slap me no get explanation. Thank God sey I fit even see small.”

“Aw! I’m so sorry about that. But did you manage to see their faces in any way?” She raised her an eyebrow.

“Kai, not at all.”

Her thought ran wide like an internet search engine, pondering on the possible answers to the bugging question that gushed into her petite mind. Who exactly could these men be? And why on earth was her house chosen amongst the hundreds of houses in her estate? Or perhaps, what was in her possession that these men needed so badly? Yes! The answer came almost too quickly. Ireti threw her longing gaze at her wardrobe, whose door was ajar. She sprang to her feet like a warrior, rushed to the wardrobe and yanked it open. And almost immediately she let out a sigh of deep relief, as the black bag of money welcomed her worried eyes. She didn't bother opening it, not because she was sure that the money would still be in it, but because an intruder, Dede, was in the room.

“Aunty, wetin happen?” Dede scrambled to his feet.

Ireti looked at him and gave a fake smile. “Nothing...Nothing at all.” She grinned.

Then, it occurred to her that her bedroom was well in order, not even was her bed unkempt. She had misplaced her priority. Ireti became ascertain that those men didn't come anywhere near her bedroom. The topsy-turvy sitting room had a lot of questions to answer, she nodded, assured, shuffling on to it. The books strewn all over the floor before the flaxen little shelf at a corner of the living room stole her attention.

Gosh! The disk! Ireti rushed to the shelf, nervous, knelt before the dusty heap of journals and novels, and with her fast moving eyes and ever speedy hands, she searched for a maroon paper-back novel titled ‘The Unknown’. She had chosen to hide the CD in this novel because of its ideal title, it matched perfectly with the content of the CD – the known left unknown. Beads of sweat immediately formed on her forehead and the goose bumps that arose from her supple chocolate skin were as tall as mountains.

She sneezed. And without a second thought, Ireti flung aside books that was in sharp contrast to the color of the book in question. She mouthed some words of prayer, prayer she only uttered when she encountered a problem, a problem big enough to change her comfortable status for the worse.

“Finding this novel would definitely gladden my heart. God please help me.” She said, again.

Yes! God is merciful. Ireti had always been a special candidate of His mercies. She knew God would speedily answer her short, mundane prayer and come to her rescue just as He did the day she would had lost her virginity over a bottle of perfume. That very night, after a very sumptuous get-together party organized by the student union government of her school, Ireti visited her then-boyfriend in his hostel, after several persuasive calls from him few days after their two months relationship brutally crumbled.

“Steve, it’s late and you know it. I have been out since morning and I really need to rest.” Ireti propped her back against the head-board, staring at the mauve pack of perfume sitting on his reading-table.

“I won’t take your time.”

“Fine. Go straight to the point.” She said, almost immediately.

“I want us to get back together again.”

Just to get him off her neck, Ireti let out a phony smile and replied, “Okay, we are back.”

“Just like that?”

“Yes, as easy as that. Can I go now?”

“Aw, no not yet. If truly you’re being sincere, let’s have our first and also a make-up sex.”

Ireti laughed. “Can I have that?” She pointed at the perfume, ignoring his aching urge.

“Come on Ireti, you know I don’t bother you for it.” He said, handing over to her the body mist.

Ireti brought out the perfume from the pack and sprayed some on her peach tube top. “Steve, I’m a virgin. I’m virgin. I am a virgin!” Her eyes narrow with warning. “Now, that makes it the hundred and one time you’re hearing that.”

“See, nobody cares about virginity in this country. It went out of style in the fifties, and trust me, honey, it ain't making a comeback.” He joined Ireti on the bed, with his slender body in singlet.

“I care. If nobody cares, I do.” She loved the scent of the perfume, as she gazed longingly at the label on the pack.

“My aunty sent that to me from the UK. One hundred and twenty pounds! You like it?”

“Wow, I do. I really like it.”

“Take it.”

“Seriously? Wow, thank you darling.” She squeezed a sensation into him, hugging him like the prodigal son did his father.

He whispered, quickly, into her ear. “That’s my little way of saying sorry for the wrongs have done.”

She let go of him and stared into his beaming eyes, thinking it was time to get over with the ‘oh my virginity’ syndrome. Ireti stepped into the shoes of a pushover when Steve said, “I know you’d like to marry a rich man. Well, then, rich men don’t marry virgins for the same reason they don’t hire chauffeurs who can’t drive. They value experience.”

What a magic a perfume could do. Oh! what a magic a costly perfume could do. Ireti was about giving a sacred body in exchange for a body mist. “Come over here.” She said.

Steve grinned, like someone who posed to take a shot with the Queen of England.

God understands, Ireti convinced herself, shunning the still, small voice that convicted her. Of course, God did understand, as He sat to watch where their temporary urges would lead them. He wouldn't stay calm, Steve had been longing for this supposed opportunity for two wavering months, and now he finally got it. Just as he pounced on Ireti, his unremitting and eager hands sent the perfume shattering on the floor, which immediately smash to smithereens their romantic quest.

“That just said it all. I’m sorry Steve, I am a virgin.” She pulled up her tube top to cover her already exposed bay bra. “Thank God I found my virginity before you stole it.” She said to Steve’s pale, disappointed face, then walked out of his room.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, says the Holy Book. Just as God answered her hushed petition, then, He did likewise this very day.

She found the novel. But, the CD was still missing.

ON THE RUN (EPISODE 22)

by Unknown on 03:46

Within a split second, he resolved to act a drama to save his unfortunate self. He pulled out his shirt and laid, supine, on the floor,...

The bullet pierced deep into his thigh. He was immediately cover in sweat and the heat that burned inside of him could be compared to that of a furnace. Sanmi groaned in pain and tried getting up to his feet, but the bullet had done its work effectively, making that wish difficult to achieve. The General looked sore, this would definitely slow their pace to escape. The rebel squeezed the trigger again, now at the General, as he tried helping Sanmi to his feet. Stunned, the General was quite lucky that the bullet hit a wrong target.

“Born bastard!” The General picked up the rifle that slept on the ground, beside Sanmi, then dashed towards the rebel that shot, and then swung the iron butt of the gun to his face. “Fool! We’re trying our best to make peace, but you chose the part of war. That’s the reward for rebellion!” The General roared at the lifeless rebel, then cleaned the blood-stained butt on the rebel’s cream caftan.

“Sir, let’s get out of here fast. We never could tell if the other rebels heard the gunshots.” Sanmi struggled to stand to his feet. The General picked up the rebel’s pistol and scurried to Sanmi. And to give him support, he placed his arm around his neck and they both shuffled out of the hut.

Freedom wouldn't stroll around like a missing chicken, it’s either gotten by force or withheld for as long as the meaning remained unchanged. These two were ready, looking tough and rugged, to face any coming opposition. Even while he limped, Sanmi still got his mind aright, erasing the self-pity that rambled its way into his head. The General had proved his mettle, expunging every notion that, ‘all military officers that wore the red gorget were perpetually lazy and own a doctorate degree in swindling funds.’ They both were strong at heart to challenge anything that pose as a threat to their escape, this time around. They move briskly towards the open field, along the old clustered buildings in the suburb, which lead to the bush path to the camp.

“Hey!”

Sanmi fell to the ground as the General let go the support he gave, cocking and getting the gun on guard. Almost scared that they were caught, they threw their gazes at the direction where the alarm came from, far east against their direction. And there she was, a woman sitting by the well situated by an abandoned building.

Delilah was the sole reason Samson lost his eyes and eventually died in pain, so ignoring this Delilah by the well would do a whole lot of good, Sanmi thought wryly as the General inched to her. Nobody could have believed that this suburb could house beautiful women, like this woman by the well. Though only her face was evident to their sight, as the fluffy raven scarf covered her head plus her neck, still her beauty radiated.

“Come closer. I won’t hurt you.” She said in an American ascent.

Her intonation alone could ground the General’s rifle without any physical effort, so soft and mild. The General got closer. “So you speak English...good one at that.” He said, with a puckered brow.

“Yes I do.” She smiled. “I’m American.”

He raised an eyebrow in question, then signaled Sanmi to come closer.

“I’d love to narrate the whole story to you, but that would be another day. That’s if that day happens to come.” She looked around if nobody was watching or eavesdropping. “I want to help you out of here cos I saw when they brought you two.”

Sanmi nodded, happy, standing on his weak legs.

She fixed her eyes on him and caught a glimpse of his blood-soaked camouflage trouser. “Oh! You’re seriously bleeding.” She reached for his thigh. “You have to get this treated quickly, else you might lose this leg.”

“We have no time to do that now. We need to get out of this place immediately.” The impatient General yelled, alerting the women who sat, talking, by the other-side of the building.

“Dinah?” One of the women called, then decided to check her up.

Staying to face a nosy woman was a bad idea.

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

Cars had speed limits. And on the Saint Andrew street, where Ireti lived, cars moved with great caution because of its business; children crossing the road after school, hawkers gliding left and right the busy lane trying to sell their goods and also pedestrians who continuously walked on this path. None of these could stop Ireti from stepping on the gas as she did this day, not after been hinted that her house was under attack.

Home at last. She squinted through the black shades she wore, as she parked in front of her house. She turned off the ignition, removed and flung her shades to the back seat, then she rushed out of the car and slammed the door. Ireti was a tough woman. She had showed this trait since she was a little girl. One day, twenty two years ago, she exchanged words with the thieves that banged their door to gain entrance. The window of her room was close enough to see who was at the door. Little Ireti saw and challenged this two armed men with wit and boldness.

“Your wives and children are at home sleeping, so also are the Sobowales.” Little Ireti said, calling the attention of the men by their door.

One of the men smiled and walked to Ireti, by her window. “Hey Princess, come and open the door. We have a message for daddy.”

“I don’t have a long hair, so am not Rapunzel, nor am I looking for prince charming...so am not Princess Fiona.” She grinned. “And my father is not a King or are you looking for the palace?”

“Don’t get me angry. Come and open this door now!” He pointed his gun at her.

She giggled. “My brother has the exact type, but his own is red.”

That minute, Ireti’s mom barged into her room, when she heard her voice after the banging at the door stopped. The thieves saw her mum and fled.

Ireti was brave and feared nobody.

The bag was loaded with cash and intact as he earlier saw. Dede already had his hand on it as he headed towards the sitting room, when he heard the car-door shut. He scuttled back to the bedroom and dropped back the bag in the wardrobe.

“I’m with the police!” Ireti shouted, entering into her house. “Who is inside?!”

Dede knew he was in trouble if truly the police was involved. He couldn't turn himself in for something he knew nothing whatsoever about. He had to do something now, and fast.

ON THE RUN (EPISODE 21)

by Unknown on 16:03

The bullet pierced deep into his thigh. He was immediately cover in sweat and the heat that burned inside of him could be compared to t...

Why was she calling? Hope there wasn't any problem? He pondered for some seconds and answered her call.

“Mama good morning. This one that you called me this morning, I hope there is no wahala?” He asked, increasing his pace.

“Ututu nwa m Dede. No problem at all. We have called you earlier, but you didn't answer.”

“Called me?”

“Yes. With the Reverend’s number.”

“Oh...oh...oh, one MTN number like that. I saw it, but I no fit pick am because I was busy helping my Oga’s wife to do something.” Dede finally got to the house, staring at the main door as he walked on, hoping it didn't open this minute.

“Ok my son. Reverend Francis is sending Dike over to you in Lagos.”

“Hey Dike!” He let out, elated. “But hope no problem? Why can’t the Reverend just call me? Give him my number na.”

“No. It’s not something you can talk about on phone. Don’t worry Dike will deliver the message when he sees you.” She said in Igbo.

The squeaky sound of the door stole his attention. The door-handle depressed and the door about to be opened. Dede scurried to the BQ. “Ok mama... I will call you later.”

She cut in. “Send the address of where you live in Lagos so that...”

“Ok ok.” Dede opened his door.

“Dike is already leaving the village for the city, so send the...”

Dede didn’t wait to hear the concluding part of his mother’s message before he hung up on her. Salewa had infused fear into him, so much so that he could kill at her command. But she wasn't aware of this strange fact.

Salewa stepped out of the house. “Dede!” She shouted, then looked at the BQ.

He rushed out to meet her. “Oga madam, good morning.”

“Morning.” She frowned and pointed to her car. “Have you washed it?”

“No ma.”

“Oh, you are waiting for me to plead at your feet before you do, huh?” She walked to the car.

Dede moved closer to her. “Oga madam, make I quickly wash am now now.”

“Just get out! Can’t wait for another second here.” She opened the door and entered her car. “Lest I forget, get my gown ready before I return. I’m going out later tonight.”

Just as Dede heard that instruction, it dawned on him that he didn't remember to pick the gown from Ireti’s car. What a second chance he had. The moment Salewa zoomed out to her shop, Dede took to his heels to Ireti’s house.

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

The fourteen-seater bus whizzed down the smooth express road that lead to Lagos, the mega city. Passengers sat quiet and still, looking forward to the end of the nine hours drive. The soothing breeze blew some to sleep. While some looked out the window, feasting their eyes on the trees, in the bush, at both sides of the road.

Dike hadn't felt less elated, knowing he had see his twin after many years they’d departed. He couldn't perfectly imagine how Dede would look like at the time. Dede would be living in a mansion, with fleets of cars. He must have had a big company and a large number of employees. All these years he had left for the city, Dede definitely must have a tree that grew money in his house. Dike could not just put a stop to his fantasies. He smiled as he imagined on, staring out the window at the beautiful sight of a plantation along the highway.

The journey seemed to be moving very fast, faster than he thought. Though Dike hadn't been to Lagos and didn't know if they actually were almost approaching its boarder, he judged it all by the speed of the bus. Dede should have sent the address, he almost said as he reached for his mother’s phone in his pocket. His mother gave him her phone, so he could communicate with Dede when he arrive Lagos.

No message yet. He tried checking the balance on the phone, but access was denied because the area lacked network service. Dike grew nervous, his final destination was yet unknown. If he paid extra attention to something that really mattered, his fears would sure be saved for another day. The bolts that held firm one of the front tires loosened and fell off one after the other.

Nobody knew save the driver, but it was too late.

Clunk! The tire disengaged. The driver quickly stepped on the brake, but that couldn't stop the disaster. The vehicle tumbled and crashed into the bush.

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

Few minutes after boarding one of the city transits that headed towards Ireti’s house, Dede decided to kill two birds with a stone. His fingers ran fast over his phone keypad as he texted his residential address to his mum. His mind couldn't stop thinking that the money he had saved to get himself a nice cloth was now diverted to another course triggered by his own mistake. It was a decision he had no choice than to make.

Thank God! No traffic jam sort of on the road. Dede could not have prayed for anything less, as he alighted from the bus and walked down the busy street. He took note of every passing vehicle, especial cars colored green. Even if he looked all scruffy, he still managed to comport himself just as he came closer to the house. He reduced his pace, squinting at the guys that came out of Ireti’s house and entering into a red saloon car.

He stopped.

The car reversed, with speed, and zoomed pass him. His curiosity itched up a notch as they didn't look friendly at all, with the deadly frown they wore. Dede really wanted to know who they were and most importantly, why they visited Ireti. As he observed if nobody was watching, Dede scurried inside Ireti’s house.

The floor was wet and the room appeared scattered. The three-seater sofa inclined towards the television stand, the books on the shelf, far left of the room, were all on the floor. Dede quickly shifted his attention to the beautiful aquarium he so admired and found it on the floor, broken. His heart ached, but began to beat faster when he thought about the money in Ireti’s wardrobe.

“Aunty! Aunty Ireti!” He called out, inching towards her bedroom. “Anyone dey for house?”

He got no response. Dede was partly happy that he now had the chance to do away with the golden fortune. He entered the room, rushed to the wardrobe, flung it open and reached for the black bag.

How fast could he be before Ireti arrives the house? This was a question nobody could tell because Ireti was already at the junction of her street.