ON THE RUN (EPISODE 20)

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.