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Yesterday Lives – Chapter 10

“Ayo, will you pick up the kids now?” Ngozi asked and Ayo was jolted out of his reverie.

The duvet was still in his hands and he was still looking at her bare legs.

“Yes, yes.” Ayo said as he dropped the duvet on her body and ran out of the room and out of the house.

He entered into the car and for a few minutes, he could not drive. He was shocked and embarrassed that his body was beginning to seek expression. He readjusted his trousers and tucked out his shirt. Did Ngozi notice anything? What is wrong with me? I am expecting a baby from Kevwe and I am here dreaming about my boss’s wife. He shook his head to dispel the thought and took a deep breath. He honked for Dubem who opened the gate for him and let him out.

******

Kevwe sauntered into the house. Madam was seated in the living room watching TV. She picked up the remote beside her and paused the program she was watching as she saw Kevwe.

“Ehen? So what did the doctor say?”

“Malaria ma.” Kevwe replied.

“Malaria? And you were in the hospital for over one week doing what?”

Kevwe looked at Madam, unable to utter a word.

“Do you realize that business has been going on while you were sleeping and enjoying yourself in the hospital? You would have to work to make up for the days you spent wasting time sleeping in the hospital.”

‘Madam, but you no even check me whether I don die or dey alive for hospital. And you no pay for the hospital?

Madam stood up. “Do you pay house rent here? Or is it your money that you use to feed every day? Kevwe, so you now have the effrontery to ask me questions, you ungrateful animal.”

Kevwe closed her eyes and tightened her fist. She was boiling inside but she bit her tongue from talking. It was only a matter of time and she would be out of here. She told herself.

“Get out of my sight before I get my boys to deal with you.” Madam shouted at her.

Kevwe gave Madam a cruel look and walked away.

 

 

Later that evening, Madam walked into the girls’ room with anger. The girls were surprised as she hardly came to their room. Usually, she summoned them to the living room if she had something to discuss with them.

“Kevwe!” She shouted as she entered into the room.

“Yes Madam.” Kevwe said standing up and wondering why she was suddenly being picked on.

“So you are pregnant? What are you still doing in my house? Begin to pack your things this minute before I get my boys to throw you out.” She screamed.

All the girls who had previously been chatting looked at Madam with shock. It was 9:30p.m.

Oghogho stood up from her bed. “Madam, please make you give her time nau. She go go but do sofry.”

“Will you shut up your mouth? So you are also part of this? You knew she was pregnant and you refused to let me know. Ehn, you and that other stupid girl, Onome. Where is she?” Madam continued to scream as she scanned the room looking for her.

“You don send her go work.” Oghogho sneered.

“Both of you are in trouble, better let her know. So this is what you girls have been doing? Keeping boyfriends, abi? Is that why you are here? If you are not ready to work, then get out of my house. You can’t be eating my food, sleeping in my house and be disobeying my orders. You better get it into your heads, the rest of you.” She continued in her tirade. “Kevwe, I give you fifteen minutes to pack your things out of my house.” She said as she snapped her fingers at Kevwe. She stormed out of the room slamming the door behind her.

Kevwe was shocked. Who had told her? She looked at the faces of all the girls. It was obvious it was not Oghogho or Onome.

“So who come talk nau? Who be the amebo wey we get for hia?” Oghogho asked looking at the faces of the other girls.

The girl who had had a discussion with Onome while Tutu was sleeping walked up to Oghogho and whispered something into her ears. Oghogho’s eyes grew wide and she exclaimed.

“I no dey surprised say na you Tutu.” Oghogho said.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Tutu scoffed. She looked at the other girl and asked her. “Who told you I was the one that told Madam?”

“Oghogho, you see? Sebi, I just talk am now. E don show say na she do am. Guilty conscience.” The girl said.

“Na wa oh. Na because Kevwe boyfriend no gree for you or wetin?” The girl whose phone had been used to call Ayo weeks back spoke up.

Oghogho moved closer to Tutu and faced her. “If no be you, na who? Ehn? Who go tell Madam?”

“You people should leave me alone if you don’t want to get into trouble.” Tutu said.

“Trouble? We don dey trouble already.” Oghogho said as she continued to close the space between them.

“Oghogho, move back please.” Tutu said. The other girls closed in on her as well, while Kevwe stood aside and looked on.

“Kevwe, talk to them to leave me alone. I wasn’t the one that told Madam. They are lying.” Tutu said stepping back until her back touched the wall.

One of the girls reached out from Oghogho’s back and gave Tutu a slap on the face. As if on cue, all the girls began to beat Tutu. Tutu began to scream and kick back. Oghogho picked up a wrapper from a bed and stuffed it into her mouth while they all continued to beat her.

After a few minutes, Kevwe walked up to the scene and tapped Oghogho.

“E don do. Make una leave her.” She said.

The girls began to step back one by one while a few still gave her departing slaps. Tutu used her hands to cover her face as she sat on the floor crying.

“If you like, make your mouth go dey do cho-cho-cho again.” Oghogho said as she put her right hand to her mouth in gesticulation. “If no be Kevwe wey save you this night, we for give you mark for body wey you go use remember this night.”

Oghogho looked at Kevwe. “Wetin go happen? You go call your boyfriend?”

Kevwe sighed. “I no even know. His oga don die and e say im oga family don dey behave one kain.”

“Eeehh….sorry oh. Wetin kill the man?”

“Something for im heart sha. I no no.”

Oghogho put her hands on her head. “Osanobua! Hmm…..this life.”

“Ayo don dey look for place wey we go stay. If no be say that stupid girl go talk…” Kevwe was saying when she heard Madam screaming her name from the living room.

“Kevwe, call your boyfriend. Make Madam no go bring her boys. Those ones wey no dey hear come. Na only go dem dey hear.”

Kevwe picked up her phone and quickly called Ayo.

 

Ayo was lying down on his bed and was already dozing off when the call came in. He picked up on the third ring.

“Hello.” He said groggily.

“Ayo, na Kevwe.”

Ayo’s eyes cleared immediately he heard her voice and he sat up. “What’s wrong, Kevwe? Are you okay? Is the baby fine?”

“Nothing do the baby, Ayo.”

“Okay, thank God.” Ayo said heaving a sigh of relief.

“Madam don hear. Na Tutu tell her. She don say make I pack my things comot this night. If not, she go bring her boys make dem come beat me.”

“Ahn…ahn, what is the meaning of this? And this same Tutu again?”

Kevwe sighed. “Na so I see am oh. Abeg, come carry me.”

“Oh goodness.” Ayo sighed. “I’m coming.”

 

As Ayo got dressed, he began to think of where he was going to put Kevwe for the night. A cheap hotel would have made sense but that was cash meant to be saved towards securing an apartment. He couldn’t bring her home without Ngozi’s approval. He was in this state of confusion when he walked out of the boy’s quarters.

He passed by the main house to the car port and saw Ngozi sitting down on Chief’s chair staring into space. He looked at his wristwatch. It was almost 10:00p.m. He sighed as he half-jogged towards her.

“Ngozi, don’t you think you should go inside now? It is late.”

Ngozi looked at him. There were tears in her eyes threatening to spill. “I will go.” She said as she looked away.

“Ngozi.” Ayo called as he held her hand and pulled her up from the chair.

Ngozi fell into his embrace and the tears which were threatening to spill came down.

“It is okay.” Ayo said as he hugged her.

A gentle breeze blew through the garden and Ngozi shivered. She smelt like fresh flowers and the scent assaulted Ayo’s senses. He breathed deeply inhaling her fragrance.

“They called me on the phone. They are moving here in two weeks’ time.” Ngozi said as she sobbed into Ayo’s chest.

Ayo pulled her back and gave her a confused look. “Who is moving in?”

“Uncle Chidi and his family. They said I am going to marry him and have sons to continue my husband’s lineage.”

“What? Is that what you were discussing with Ebuka earlier on today?”

Ngozi nodded.

“Oh my!” Ayo said as he pulled Ngozi into his arms. “I’m so sorry.”

“I don’t know what to do. I’m so confused.”

“What about your parents?” Ayo asked.

“I’m an orphan. My only sister is abroad. She couldn’t even make it for the burial.”

Ayo blew air through his mouth. Ayo’s phone began to ring in his pocket. He took it out and saw it was Kevwe calling. He refused to answer the call.

“We would have to work something out, okay. Can we talk about this tomorrow? He asked quickly.

Ngozi nodded sadly.

“But I need you to go into the house, go to bed and rest. You have cried enough for the day.” He continued. His phone began to ring again and he looked at it.

Ngozi noticed and asked. “Do you have a client to pick up?”

“Erm…not exactly. It is my girlfriend.”

“Okay.” Ngozi said as Ayo held her hand and led her towards the house.

“Can I ask for a favour?” He asked.

Ngozi looked at him and nodded.

“My girlfriend is stranded. She has been kicked out of her house by her landlady. I just need her to hang out in my place for a few days while I get her another place to stay.”

“Okay.” Ngozi said.

They got to the door and Ayo opened it to let her in. He entered into the house walking behind her; her hand still in his. As Ngozi dropped his hand to let go, Ayo held her back and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “Please take care of yourself and you know you can call me if you need to talk.”

Ngozi nodded and sighed.

Ayo opened the door to go out and Ngozi called out to him.

“Ayo.”

Ayo looked back at her, his hand still on the door.

“Thank you very much.”

Ayo took a deep breath and nodded.

 

The story continues…

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Yesterday Lives – Chapter 7

Kevwe smiled as she walked into her room later that night. She was sure of what Ayo felt for her and she was happy. The only thing she needed to do now was to try and save up some money so she could move out. She had not thought of what else she could do. She had no skills and no education. She lay on her bed contemplating on her next line of action when Tutu walked in.

“Madam, where you go since?”

Kevwe ignored her and faced the wall.

“Madam Kevwe, no be you I dey talk to? Abi, you don dey big since you don get driver boyfriend?” Tutu sneered spoiling for a fight.

Kevwe turned back to look at her. “Tutu, abeg, no vex me this night oh. Na beg I dey beg you.”

“What will you do? Tell me, what? Madam driver boyfriend.” Tutu said as she clapped her hands at Kevwe.

Kevwe ignored her, lay back on her bed and turned to face the wall.

Tutu’s claps and raised voice drew the attention of the other girls who were sleeping. Some woke up and watched the two of them while a few ignored them and went back to sleep.

“Talk nau, Madam driver boyfriend. Wetin you go do if I vex you?”

“Tutu, leave her nau.” One of the girls said.

“Aunty gbeborun, face your front. No be you I dey talk to.”

“Who you come dey talk to?” Oghogho said standing up. She was six feet tall and had a muscular build. She stood and towered above Tutu. “I say who you dey talk to. Look me well well. I look like Kevwe?”

Tutu turned away from her and walked towards her bed.

“Nonsense.” Oghogho said. “Why you no go look for your own boyfriend? Abi, if her boyfriend na driver, how that one take consine you?”

“No mind am oh. E be like say she wan steal the bobo for Kevwe hand cos she use my phone call one man one day like that. She no no say I dey hear as she dey beg the man. E fit be say na Kevwe bobo cos I know say she no get boyfriend.” Another girl said.

“Ehen, so na another person boyfriend she dey steal. Na wa oh. And she go come dey behave as if she beta pass all of us. Shior!” Another girl, Onome who had been lying down on her bed all along said.

Tutu was quiet all through. She stood up and walked towards the door when she couldn’t stand the taunts of her roommates any more.

“Eh, she dey go out. She no fit siddon hear again.” Oghogho laughed.

The other girls burst into laughter as they mocked her. Tutu, angry that she was being ridiculed slammed the door as she walked out of the room.

Ayo and Kevwe continued to see each other. Ayo reckoned that the earlier he got an apartment for Kevwe, the better for them. He scouted around looking for a decent single room where she could stay but all the rooms he saw were pricey and beyond his budget. He could not afford such right now. He however refused to relent as he continued his search.

******

Ten weeks later, on a Saturday morning, Kevwe woke up with a pounding headache and a high fever. Her roommates rallied round her as her breathing became labored and her body temperature rose.

“Sorry oh Kevwe. Make we carry you go hospital?”

Kevwe shook her head.

“But you don weak nau. E go beta make you go hospital.” Onome said.

Oghogho and one of her roommates sat on her bed as they tried to convince her.

“E go beta if you go hospital oh, Kevwe. You wey no dey sick normally.” Oghogho said.

“I no even know as my body dey do me sef. I just weak.” Kevwe replied.

“Abi, make I help you call your boyfriend make e come carry you go hospital?”

“Ah, you wan make Madam kill me finish if she see am?”

“How she go see am? You jus leave that one for me. Sebi na me go tell Madam say I dey take you go hospital.” Oghogho said.

Kevwe nodded; unable to utter another word. She handed her phone to Oghogho and asked her to look for Ayo’s number.

Oghogho placed the call to Ayo and he picked up on one ring.

“Hey beautiful.” Ayo said.

Oghogho coughed to clear her throat. “Sorry, no be Kevwe be this. Na her friend, Oghogho. Abeg, come help us take her go hospital. She dey very sick. She no even fit waka well. If you dey come, no reach here oh. Just tanda for the corner wey dey beside our house, I go bring her come meet you for dia.” Oghogho spoke very fast.

“Okay. Just take it easy. You said Kevwe is very sick and I should come pick her up to the hospital, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m coming right away. I will call you when I am close to your place. Please keep the phone close to you.”

“Okay.” Oghogho replied.

Ayo cut the call and walked into the main house. He saw Chief’s kids watching a movie and asked about their father.

“Daddy is upstairs.” They chorused.

“Okay. Tell daddy that I stepped out briefly.”

“Okay, Mr. Ayo.” The kids said.

Ayo jumped into the car and drove in a hurry to Kevwe’s house. When he was about to round the bend beside the house, he called Kevwe’s number. Oghogho picked up the call.

“Hello, I am outside; just behind your house.” Ayo said.

“Okay, I dey come.”

Oghogho dragged Kevwe up from the bed. “Oya, make we dey go hospital.”

Onome helped Kevwe up and the trio walked out of the room. Madam was sitting in the living room watching a TV programme. She looked up and was surprised.

“Madam, Kevwe no well. We wan carry her go hospital.” Oghogho said.

“Okay. Make sure they run enough tests on her. I don’t want my clients complaining about any form of sickness or disease, understand?”

“Yes ma.” Oghogho rolled her eyes.

As the three girls walked out of the house, Oghogho hissed. “So na customer Madam dey think about? Ah, we don suffer for this life.”

Onome sighed and shook her head.

Ayo eased out of the car and half-jogged towards them immediately he spotted them. He swept Kevwe off her feet and dropped her carefully in the back seat of the car. Onome eased into the backseat while Oghogho decided to ride shotgun.

******

The doctor walked into the waiting room and called for Ayo. Oghogho stood up to walk towards the doctor but he raised his hand to stop her.

“Are you the patient’s sister?”

“No sir.” Oghogho replied.

“Okay. I will like to see him only. Thank you.”

Oghogho shrugged and turned back to sit beside Onome.

The doctor led Ayo into his office and offered him a seat.

“Doctor, what is wrong with her?”

The doctor sat down carefully and pulled out a sheet of paper from a brown file in front of him.

“We ran some tests on her. The result shows that she has malaria and she has to be properly monitored so that it doesn’t affect her baby in any way.”

Ayo gave the doctor a confused look. “Her baby? I don’t understand.”

The doctor raised his head and looked at Ayo. “You don’t know she is pregnant?”

Ayo’s jaw dropped. “Pregnant? Kevwe is pregnant?”

“Yes, she is. And she is almost concluding her first trimester.” The doctor said matter-of-factly.

Ayo could not believe what he had just heard. He was not sure whether to be happy or sad. There was no doubt in his heart about his love for her but he was unsure of what the future held for him and Kevwe. Could he handle having her for the rest of their lives? Besides, fatherhood was not a responsibility he was ready to shoulder at this time.

He sighed deeply. “Thank you doctor. So where is she now?”

“She has been placed on admission. She is in the general ward. You can speak with the matron if you need to see her.”

“Thank you sir.” Ayo said as he stood up and walked out of the doctor’s office with slumped shoulders.

Oghogho stood up when she saw Ayo’s countenance. “Wetin happen?”

Ayo sighed. The doctor said she has malaria.

“Ordinary malaria. So why your face come strong like this?”

“He said she is pregnant too.”

“Osanobua!” Oghogho exclaimed as she put her two hands on her head.

“Chai! Chai!” Onome lamented. “Wetin we go do now?”

Ayo looked at both of them but his mind was faraway. He had no house of his own, he was still trying to gather enough money to rent a room for Kevwe. How was he going to fend for her and a child? He sighed deeply as he walked towards the nurse’s station. He asked to see Kevwe and he was directed towards the general ward.

He spotted her immediately he entered the ward. He walked towards her and sat on the plastic chair by her bed. She was sleeping peacefully and he felt bad that he had to wake her up.

“Kevwe.” He whispered.

“Hmmm….” Kevwe answered groggily as she opened her eyes.

“How are you feeling now?”

“I no even understand the way I dey feel.” She said in a very low voice.

“It’s okay. You will be fine.”

Kevwe nodded gently as she drifted off to sleep again.

Ayo took a deep breath as he stood up and left the ward.

******

Oghogho and Onome were still seated in the waiting room.

“How she dey now?” Oghogho asked Ayo as he walked towards them.

“She is still very weak. She is sleeping now.”

“You tell her?”

Ayo shook his head.

“E good as you no tell her now. Make she get strength first. Wetin you wan do? Nobody must get belle for our house oh. Na because Madam no want belle, be the reason why she say we no fit get boyfriend.”

Ayo blew air through his mouth. “I don’t know. I will think of what to do.”

“Guy, think quick quick so that doctor go remove am before Kevwe sef know as you neva tell her.” Onome said indifferently.

“Remove what?” Ayo asked; shock clearly written on his face.

“Remove the belle nau. Ahn….ahn…” Onome said.

Oghogho studied Ayo’s face carefully. “You no wan remove am?”

“Why would I do that? She’s carrying my child.”

Oghogho shook her head and followed it with a nod. “You be good man. But if she keep the belle, she no go fit continue this work.”

“I know that and I was trying to get her out of this….” Ayo spread his hands with a disgusted look on his face but stopped when he realized what he was about to say would seem insensitive to Kevwe’s friends.

Oghogho smiled. “No worry. I understand. All of us don tire. We jus no dey lucky like Kevwe wey get fine man like you.”

“Thank you.” Ayo said with a sad face. “Let me drop you at your place. I will come back and wait here till she wakes up.”

As Oghogho and Onome eased out of the car behind the house they lived in, Oghogho looked to the heavens. “Osanobua, make you send me good man like this wey go carry me comot from this house.”

——

The story continues…

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 5

Tutu got home tired at 6:00a.m the next morning. As she entered into the house, Madam was seated in the living room waiting.

‘Welcome Tutu.’ Madam said as she stretched her hand.

Tutu opened her bag and gave Madam a pack of five hundred naira notes. Madam collected it and placed it on the stool beside her.

‘The others?’ Madam asked.

Tutu looked at Madam confused. ‘Ma?’

‘I said bring out the others from where you kept them.’ Madam replied; looking at Tutu straight in the face.

‘That is everything ma.’

‘Remove everything you are wearing.’ Madam said snapping her fingers.

‘Ma?’

‘When did you start having hearing problems? Or you want me to strip you myself?’

Tutu sighed as she dropped her bag on the floor and began to undress. As she removed her dress, Madam signaled to her to remove her undies. Tutu removed her bra and some one thousand naira notes fell out. Madam pointed to her panties and Tutu looked down with shame. She removed her panties and some more notes in a pack fell out.

‘Pick them up and drop them here.’ Madam patted the stool where she had placed the money she collected earlier.

Tutu did her bidding, picked up her clothes and bra from the floor and walked into her room with her head bowed. Kevwe was lying down on her bed when Tutu walked in. She sat up immediately she saw Tutu in her panties only.

‘Tutu, wetin happen?’

Tutu refused to respond to her as she lay on her bed sobbing.

Kevwe stood up from her bed and walked towards Tutu. ‘Wetin happen nau?’ She asked her roommate. When she realized Tutu was not going to respond to her, she sat beside her and patted her back. When Tutu’s body stopped heaving from her sobs, Kevwe asked again; ‘Something happen for the party wey you go?’

Tutu sat up and looked at Kevwe. ‘I don tire for this job. See the way Madam made me strip because of money.’ She said shaking her head.

‘But you sef, you know say….’ Kevwe was saying; then stopped all of a sudden. She stood up, opened the door and looked left and right before closing it. She sat down again beside Tutu. ‘You know say Madam get thing wey dey chop for her head most times. Why you come dey cry because of ordinary remove cloth?’ She continued.

Tutu looked at Kevwe with disdain. ‘I don’t blame you Kevwe. Do you realize I went to school and that what she did is belittling? Is it because I came to hustle with low-lifers like you in Lagos?’

‘Wetin I talk nau wey make you dey insult me?’ Kevwe asked in confusion.

‘Don’t even talk to me. I will work my way out of this place very soon.’

‘Okay. No vex. Na my fault say I dey tell you sorry.’

‘Keep your sorry.’ Tutu said as she lay down to face the wall. ‘By the way.’ She said turning back to look at Kevwe. ‘I saw your boyfriend at the party yesterday. Do you know he is a driver?’

Kevwe who had stood up from Tutu’s bed, walked back. ‘Driver?’

‘Oh, so he did not tell you he is a driver. A common driver.’ Tutu said hissing. ‘He was even trying to play a fast one sef. Your bobo dey look for osho free. I tell am say nothing nothing if he no drop. I gave him my number sha when he dey disturb me. He wants us to hook up later.’

Kevwe was astonished as she stood still looking at Tutu.

‘E no possible. Ayo no be driver.’

Tutu burst out laughing. ‘Ayo no be driver.’ She imitated Kevwe. ‘Siddon there, you hear.’ She took out her phone from her bag and scrolled to her missed calls. She showed the phone to Kevwe. ‘No be your Ayo number be this?’ She asked.

Kevwe was about to collect the phone from her but Tutu snatched her hand away. Kevwe unable to utter a word went to lie down on her bed. She wondered why Ayo never told her he was a driver. And to think he wanted to sleep with Tutu. How many times had she offered herself to Ayo and he bluntly refused? After the first incident when she had forced herself on him, she noticed he had been more careful around her. So he also patronized prostitutes. Why was he then trying to get her out of the business? She felt worthless thinking about it. She knew she was never going to be up to par with Ayo’s expectations but maybe she just imagined something would happen between them.

She turned her back on Tutu as she lay on her bed. Deep down, she was hurt. Many men had hurt her in the past but it was nothing compared to the pain she felt right now.

******

Later that evening, Madam sent Kevwe to one of her clients. Kevwe got dressed and was walking out of her house towards the bus-stop when her phone rang. She took out her phone from her bag, looked at the caller ID and hissed. She allowed her phone to ring out. It rang again and she reduced the volume of the ringtone; letting it ring out again. A minute later, she received a text message.

Hi Kevwe, how are you doing? I have been thinking about you all day. I even spoke about you to my Uncle last night. Let me know when you are free to talk.

Kevwe read the text message and hissed. ‘Uncle ko, Aunty ni.’ On second thoughts, she scrolled through the contact list and placed a call to Ayo.

‘Hey darling.’ Ayo said as he picked up the call.

‘Abeg, no darling me. Who be your darling?’ Kevwe spat.

‘Kevwe?’

‘Ehen? Wetin? Abi na my friend wey you wan do osho free with yesterday night you think dey talk to you?’

‘Kevwe, hold on. Are you okay?’ Ayo asked confused.

‘No, I no dey okay. You hear. I don dey mad.’

‘I don’t understand all what you are saying. Who is your friend?’

‘Sebi, she see you yesterday night for party. Ayo, you no fit even tell me say you be driver. Which kain game you dey play with me. My body go dey burn, you no go allow me touch you but you wan chop my friend. Make I comot business I dey do, meanwhile, you too dey patronize ashewo.’ Kevwe ranted continuously.

Ayo sighed. ‘Kevwe, I am sure there is a misunderstanding somewhere. Please let us see this night.’

‘I no dey see you for anything. Just forget about me, abeg. Go look for babes wey fit you. We no be the same level.’

‘Kevwe, don’t say this, please. I want to see you.’

Kevwe hissed. ‘Abeg, abeg, abeg, na by force. I get job jare. Make I go make money.’ She shouted as she dropped the call.

Ayo looked at his phone confused. What is she talking about? He sighed. He knew he should have told her what he did for a living but he felt he would at the right time. Two years after graduation from the university, he was yet to get a job. He couldn’t continue living off his parents, so he decided to come to Lagos. His parents had thought his decision was crazy as he knew no one in Lagos but he was ashamed that they were still giving him stipends at his age. He would rather struggle in Lagos than be a burden to them.

He arrived Lagos at 5:30a.m on one of the cheap night buses with only a knapsack. He felt it was better to travel light so that his movement around would not be hindered. He slept in the park till it became bright enough for him to move around. He had printed copies of his CV before coming to Lagos and they were all neatly arranged in a transparent jacket in his knapsack.

The first day, he walked the length and breadth of Victoria Island dropping his CV in various banks and organizations. By 4:00p.m, he was tired and he retired back to the park and pleaded with one of the ticket boys to allow him sleep on a bench in the ticketing office. His second and third day were not different from the first. The week went quickly and Ayo knew he had to get a job on time; if he wasn’t going to beg.

On his second week in Lagos, he walked into Royalty Dry cleaners. As he dropped his CV, he spoke to the customer service lady behind the counter.

‘Please is there any vacancy here?’

‘No.’ She replied.

‘I need a job. Any job, please.’

‘There are no vacancies for now; I have told you. The only thing I know is that my oga is looking for a driver.’ She said as she put the CV into a drawer beside her.

‘A driver?’ Ayo sighed as he thought about it. He didn’t want to go back to his parents. He had no one in Lagos. He was desperate. ‘Can I apply for the job now?’

The lady took out the CV from the drawer and scanned through it. She looked up at Ayo and there was shock written on her face.

Ayo understood her shock. ‘Please don’t look at that. I can drive. Can I see your boss to apply for the job? Please, I need a job badly.’ He pleaded.

The lady took a deep breath. ‘Okay. Take this piece of paper.’ She said handing him an A4 sheet and a pen. ‘Write your application. I will take it to his P.A.’

Ayo was full of thanks as he collected the paper and the pen. He immediately wrote a short application for the post of a personal driver. He attached another copy of his resume and asked the lady for a stapler so he could attach his passport photograph. He handed it to her and she disappeared into an inner office. Ayo sat down and prayed silently that this would be the end of his search in Lagos.

A few minutes later, the lady walked out of the office. ‘Ahn ahn, you are still here?’

‘Yes, I thought I could start immediately if he is satisfied with my documents.’

‘Na wa for you oh. Please don’t let my oga come and meet you here. I will call you once they give me a go-ahead.’

Ayo stood up reluctantly. ‘I…..I just thought…’ He was saying when Chief walked into the reception lounge.

‘Good afternoon sir.’ Ayo greeted.

‘Good afternoon.’ Chief replied. ‘Is he the one with this CV?’ Chief asked; looking at the lady.

‘Yes sir. He is the one sir.’

‘Hmm. Come to my office.’ Chief said as he turned back.

Ayo picked up his knapsack and followed after Chief.

Chief’s office was massive but modest with a grey leather couch on one corner and a giant sized TV facing a mahogany desk.

He offered Ayo a seat. Ayo sat gingerly on the chair in front of the desk. Chief walked towards his desk as he looked at the CV.

‘Young man, I can see from your CV that you are a graduate. Why are you applying for the job of a personal driver?’

Ayo cleared his throat. ‘Sir, I came to Lagos last week and I need to start a job urgently so that I don’t go hungry. I can drive sir. I worked as a part-time driver while I was in the university.’

‘Okay. So where do you stay?’

‘I…erm…I…’ Ayo stuttered.

Chief looked up at him expecting a response.

‘I….I don’t have a place sir. I sleep in the park.’

‘You what?’ Chief asked astonished.

‘I don’t know anyone in Lagos sir.’

‘So why did you come to Lagos then?’

Ayo looked down at his fingers. ‘I did not want to remain a burden to my parent’s sir. That is the reason I came to Lagos.’

Chief sighed. ‘It’s okay. You will stay in my boys’ quarters.’

Ayo raised his head in shock and stood up. He prostrated before Chief. ‘Thank you sir. I am very grateful sir. God bless you sir.’

‘Hey, it is okay. Get up. You are learning what it means to be a man, okay?’

‘Okay sir.’ Ayo nodded as he lifted himself from the floor.

‘Sit down.’ Chief ordered.

Ayo did as he was instructed.

‘I will ask my P.A to give you a letter of appointment. You will be paid fifty thousand naira monthly. Submit your driver’s license to her.’

Chief took Ayo home and introduced him to his family; a wife and two young girls aged seven and five. Chief’s wife, Ngozi was young and beautiful. Her skin was caramel coloured and without blemish. She looked like a model who walked out of the page of a magazine. She had gotten married to Chief while she was still a student in a beauty school. Chief had however, ensured that she finished her education. Ngozi graduated with a degree in cosmetology. Chief went ahead to open a spa plus salon for her. It was obvious that Chief was many years older than his wife and Ayo wondered what the attraction was. He was sure Ngozi and himself would be about the same age or a few years apart.

Chief furnished the boys’ quarters and Ayo had no reason to lack. The only thing he spent money on was his feeding. He began to send money home to his parents and they were overjoyed when they found out he had started working. He however refused to tell them that he was a driver. He did not want his father to be disappointed.

******

Six months after working with Chief, Ayo started thinking of a way to make an extra income. Chief had three cars. One for Chief, one for Chief’s wife which she used to take her kids to school and a third one which was permanently parked in the house. Ayo broached the topic with Chief one evening on their way back home. He asked Chief if he could use the third car as an evening taxi. Chief left the office at 4:00pm every day and in an hour, they were usually home. Ayo felt he could use the rest of the day to make that extra income. He proposed that he would remit the evening profits to Chief. He only wanted Chief to pay him something he could put in the bank as savings.

Chief thought long and hard about it. ‘Is the money I am paying you not enough, Ayo?’

‘No sir. Yes sir. Please sir, that is not what I meant by bringing this up.’ Ayo tried to explain.

‘Okay, so what is it then?’

‘I don’t intend to offend you Chief.’

Chief took a deep breath. ‘I am not offended Ayo. I am just wondering where this idea came from.’

‘I’m sorry sir.’

‘Why are you sorry, Ayo?’

Ayo was confused.

‘You know that car has been parked for over a year. I got tired of taking it to the mechanic and just abandoned it. You know, you just gave me an idea of how we can make extra money from the supposed abandoned car.’ Chief said smiling.

‘Okay sir.’

‘I have a mechanic at Obalende. I will give you his number and his address. Take the car there tomorrow and let him run a check on it to make sure it is fit for the road. Once that is done, you can start your taxi business.’ Chief concluded.

Ayo began the evening taxi runs from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. He took home whatever he made for the evening and Chief asked him to always split the profits into two and give half to his wife. Ayo opened a savings account and began saving his half-portion of the profits.

******

As he put his phone back into his pocket, he replayed Kevwe’s conversation in his mind. ‘Who was she referring to as her friend that accused him of trying to sleep with her? He remembered she mentioned something about the party yesterday. He was alone in the car all through till Chief came out. Suddenly, it dawned on him. The lady. The lady who had tried to seduce him. His mouth was agape as he thought about it. The lady was probably one of Kevwe’s colleagues. But did that mean she was also at the party frolicking and doing her business as usual. His shock turned to anger and disappointment. After everything he had done for her and trying to cajole her to leave the business, she was bent on continuing in it. If she wanted to be left alone, then so be it.

******

The story continues…

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 4

Kevwe asked Ayo to drop her off a few metres away from her house but he refused. He told her he wanted to be sure she got back home safely. Kevwe told him Madam would be upset that a man was dropping her off but Ayo was adamant. If Madam decided to get upset, then so be it. He did not want her in the business any longer; so she could as well start planning her exit.

When Kevwe noticed that Ayo was not going to heed to her pleas, she took out the tee-shirt she had put in her bag when she was leaving home. She unhooked her seat belt and began to remove the transparent blouse she was wearing. Ayo was too shocked to speak. He stopped, parked the car off the road but left the engine running. Kevwe was unfazed by his look. She held on to the tee-shirt and refused to put it on. The underwear she was wearing barely covered her bust. She locked eyes with Ayo and held his gaze. She stretched her left hand and placed it on his laps. She noticed how his body responded instantly to her touch and she glided her hand to and fro his laps teasing his senses.

Ayo shivered as he struggled to control his body. He held Kevwe’s hand to stop her but his body had taken a mind of its own. ‘Kevwe.’ He called; almost in a whisper. He closed his eyes as his mind fought against his body; the excitement it felt increasing as Kevwe continued to tease him. Kevwe unzipped his trousers and her hand on his bare skin made him shiver again. ‘Ke…..’ He tried to call her name again but it came out as a moan. Kevwe knew it was time. She stretched her hand over him, pulled the lever of the driver’s seat and dragged it backward. Before Ayo could understand what was going on, she had swung her legs over him. Her bare skin on his caused him to take a deep breath as he realized she was not wearing any underwear. Kevwe took control of his body and mind as she gripped him and locked her legs around him. Ayo’s excitement reached a crescendo and he gave himself wholly to her. Kevwe took over showing her dexterity in what she was paid to do daily.

When they both stilled from their throes of passion, Kevwe lifted the driver’s seat which she had laid down during the heat of the moment. She swung her legs skillfully and sat back in the passenger’s seat. She wore the tee-shirt she had abandoned earlier and looked at Ayo.

He had a look of confusion on his face.

‘Wetin?’ She asked him nonchalantly.

Ayo shook his head. ‘Do you sleep with your clients without using protection?’

Kevwe shrugged. ‘No. If person no get rubber, na no show be dat.’

‘So why did you….’ Ayo was asking before Kevwe raised her left hand to stop him.

‘You like to dey ask queshon oh. My house no far from hia. If you wan see me enter my house, come waka with me, no carry moto, abeg.’ She said as she opened the passenger door to let herself out.

Madam was already asleep by the time Kevwe walked into the house and she thanked her stars. She only hoped she would not be queried on what time she got in. As she lay on her bed that night, she reminisced on her encounter with Ayo. She had longed for this and his initial rejection had upset her. She was therefore bent on having her way when she had a second opportunity. She smiled as she remembered the look on Ayo’s face when she removed her blouse. He had been captivated by what he saw and she knew then that that was the opportunity she had been waiting for. He had moaned and shivered under her touch and held her tightly like someone who had been starved. She knew she was supposed to have used protection but she had made up her mind long before now that her relationship with Ayo was not a business transaction. She wanted to have him for keeps. She thought about the possibility of getting pregnant for him and shrugged it off immediately. E no fit happen.

Ayo drove home entranced. He thought he had been able to keep his guards up when Kevwe was in his apartment. He did not understand how he had fallen so cheaply. And more confusing was the fact that Kevwe had not asked him or used any form of protection. He sighed as he thought about her. What exactly was he doing with her? He wasn’t sure he had an idea but one thing he knew was that he liked her a lot. Keeping her was still a long shot for him.

******

Ayo and Kevwe became more attached to each other as the days went by. No day or night passed without them talking to each other. They shared text messages when calls were impossible to be placed. Ayo opened a bank account for Kevwe and began to put in a monthly stipend for her. He told her it was for her upkeep and that he trusted her judgment not to spend the money recklessly. Kevwe smiled as Ayo gave her the ATM card attached to the account. ‘Ayo, why you dey do all these things for me?’ She asked.

Ayo sighed. He loved her but he was scared of telling her. She had told him a number of times that she was not worthy of his love and attention. He wasn’t even sure what he wanted from her. He just knew that his heart skipped a beat anytime he heard her voice or saw her.

‘Ayo?’ Kevwe called him again.

‘Hmmm.’ He said coming out of his reverie.

‘I dey ask wetin you want.’

Ayo smiled. ‘I don’t want anything Kevwe.’

‘E no possible nau. You go dey credit my phone every time. You dey give me money anytime we see. Now, you open bank account for me and you dey tell me you no want anything?’

‘Kevwe, it is possible to do all these for you without wanting anything. Why do you believe every man wants something for money spent?’

‘You neva hear Shina Peters song?’ Kevwe sneered.

Ayo laughed. ‘Which song is that and what has he got to do with this?’

‘He sing money for hand, back for ground.’ Kevwe sang as she demonstrated with her fingers.

‘I know the song Kevwe but I don’t believe this relationship is based on that.’ Ayo said getting serious.

‘I hear you oh.’ She shrugged as she put the ATM card into an old wallet in her bag.

Ayo had decided to take her to the cinema again to watch a movie. It was becoming a norm for him to take her out on her off days. As he was about to drop her at the end of her street, he switched off the ignition and looked at her.

‘When are you going to drop this business?’

‘Ayo, na every time we go out you go dey ask me this queshon? You no dey tire?’

‘I care about you, Kevwe. Don’t you understand?’ Ayo asked, breathing hard.

‘I don hear. I go dey think about it.’

‘Thank you.’ Ayo said as he leaned in to give her a peck on her cheek.

Kevwe anticipating his action turned her face to him and kissed him fully on his lips as she held on to him.

When Ayo eased away from her, Kevwe smiled.

‘You should go home now. It’s getting late.’ He said as he looked at the time on the dashboard. It read 10.30pm.

Kevwe nodded as she eased out of the car. She waved goodbye and started walking towards her house, while Ayo drove away.

A few metres away from the house, Kevwe was startled by someone who walked out of the dark corner beside the house.

‘Tutu, wetin be dis nau?’ She shouted as she placed her hand on her chest trying to still her heartbeat.

‘Who be dat bobo wey you dey go meet every time?’ Tutu, her housemate asked.

Kevwe hissed. ‘How that one take consine you?’

‘How e no go consine me? Madam don dey ask where you dey go anytime you dey off. She say you no dey siddon for house.’ Tutu lied.

Kevwe’s eyes grew big. ‘Ehen, she don dey ask?’

‘Yes nau. She dey ask me last week and I don see you with that bobo before but I just no wan tell Madam the truth.’

‘Abeg, no tell Madam anything. Na my boyfriend.’

‘Hmm.’ Tutu wrinkled her nose. ‘You no say Madam say we no fit get boyfriend.’

‘I know. Abeg, Tutu, no tell Madam anything, abeg.’ Kevwe pleaded.

‘Ehn, no wahala. I no go talk but you suppose drop something for me every week when you dey see your bobo. You no nau, so that if Madam ask again, I fit look for lie tell her.’ Tutu shrugged.

‘So you wan dey collect money from me every week be dat?’

Tutu looked at her in fake astonishment. ‘No be you wan make I keep quiet. Na for free you wan make I no talk?’

Kevwe sighed. She dipped her hand into her bag and handed Tutu a five hundred naira note.

‘Ehen, na now you dey talk. He no give you something chop too? Wey my own?’

Kevwe hissed as she ignored her and walked into the house.

******

Three weeks later, Madam received a call from an old friend that girls were needed for a party. She picked about five of her girls and prepared them for the party. She gave them a stern warning to make sure they gave returns of everything they were given. She threatened them that they knew she had friends in high places and whoever lied about her returns would spend three nights in the police station.

Tutu was amongst the girls chosen and she told Kevwe excitedly. ‘Me, I dey look for opportunity to comot this business.’ She whispered to Kevwe. ‘If I see one fine sugar daddy, I go give am well well and psyche am make im comot me from dis house. If I get luck sef, e fit make me second or third wife. This work don tire me. Na Madam just dey chop all the money. Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.’

Kevwe was quiet. She also wished she was amongst the girls chosen. She was also tired of the job but she had no real source of income. She couldn’t afford an apartment of her own. Even if she did, she had no form of education and could not get a job.

‘Wetin you dey think?’ Tutu tapped her. ‘You don get bobo nau.’ She said loudly.

Kevwe hushed her as she looked around. ‘Why you dey do like dis? You wan make other girls hear?’

Tutu faked a shiver. ‘Ah, no vex abeg.’ She replied in a whisper.

******

The party was organized by one of the top government officials in the country. It was held in Kings City Hotel in Banana Island. Drinks, food and music flowed freely. A chaperone received Madam’s girls and assigned them immediately. The girls went ahead and straight away attached themselves to the pot-bellied men who held on to them indecently. The night wore on and soon some men began to make room reservations. The man Tutu was assigned asked to be excused in order to receive a business call. He asked her to hang around while he attended to the call. Tutu waited for the man to finish his call as she watched others. Her colleagues had already gone to the rooms with their men and she was beginning to get bored. She noticed the man had walked into another hall as the conversation on the phone became serious. She decided to go outside to get some fresh air. She stood outside looking around when unexpectedly, she saw Ayo sit up in a black Toyota Land cruiser. She looked closely to be sure he was the one.

Tutu looked back to confirm she wasn’t being watched before walking towards the Land cruiser. She quickly opened her purse, took out a pack of chewing gum and popped one into her mouth. As she got to the car, she smiled. ‘Hey Handsome.’

‘Hi.’ Ayo replied as he gave her a quizzical look.

‘I noticed you were sitting all alone and I decided to come keep you company.’ She said as she rested her arms on the door. The dress she was wearing had a deep cut and her bust became exposed as she bent down slightly.

Ayo looked at her bust and looked away. ‘How may I help you? I am fine and I don’t need company.’

‘Oh c’mon. A handsome young man always needs company.’ Tutu said as she glided her right hand on Ayo’s face.

Ayo looked at her as he removed her hand gently. ‘No, thank you.’ He replied as he made an attempt to open the door of the car.

‘You don’t have to get out of the car because of me.’ Tutu said as she tried to stop him from getting out.

‘I need some air.’ Ayo stepped out of the car and started walking towards the hotel lobby.

Tutu, seeing that Ayo’s attention had been drawn away from her, picked up the phone which was lying on the passenger seat. She punched her number on it and dialed it in a jiffy. Just then, a man walked out of the hotel. He was a short man with a slight pot-belly. He was wearing a white buba and sokoto and was about placing his mobile phone to his ears when he saw Ayo.

‘Let’s go Ayo. I was about to call you. I need to go home and rest.’

‘Okay sir.’ Ayo replied.

Tutu quickly threw the phone into the car as Ayo turned towards the car. Tutu stood a few metres away from the car as she saw Ayo get into the driver’s seat while the man walked towards the back seat. ‘Good evening sir.’ She smiled at him.

‘Good evening.’ The man replied as he kept a straight face.

Ayo started the car and was about driving away when the man Tutu had been assigned to walked out of the hotel lobby. ‘Oh, I have been looking for you.’ He said as he looked at Tutu.

Tutu smiled at him. ‘I decided to get some fresh air since you were on the phone.’

‘Ah Chief, you are leaving so soon?’ The man asked when he noticed Ayo driving away.

‘Yes, I need some rest.’

‘But that’s why the ladies are here.’ The man laughed as he tapped and squeezed Tutu’s bum.

Tutu giggled.

Ayo had stopped driving and he looked back at Tutu with a blank stare.

‘Thanks Ugo. I would rather go home to rest.’ Chief said as he looked at Tutu and Ugo who was touching her indecently. ‘Let’s go Ayo.’ Chief continued.

Ayo shook his head and he began to drive.

‘Why are you shaking your head, Ayo?’ Chief asked.

‘Chief, you won’t believe that this same lady came here to meet me and was trying to seduce me just now.’

‘Just now?’ Chief asked.

‘Yes, before you came. That’s why you met me outside. I had to come out of the car when she was touching me.’

‘Ehen? Do you know her?’

‘Know her ke? For where?’

‘You too for do quick one with her nau.’ Chief laughed.

‘Ahn ahn, Chief. You know I am not like that nau. Besides, not when I am on duty.’

‘So what if I give you the night off?’

Ayo looked at Chief in the rear-view mirror and smiled.

‘Is that smile a yes?’ Chief asked as he smiled back.

‘It is a No. I am not interested in her.’

‘Hmmm, but that smile means you are interested in someone else?’

Ayo grinned. ‘Yes Chief.’

‘Ayo, Ayo, so you don dey cut show behind my back and you no tell me?’

‘Chief, it is not what you think oh. I have not cut any shows. I am still trying to get her out of her business but she keeps resisting.’

‘Her business? What does she do?’

Ayo sighed.

‘This one wey you dey breathe like person wey run. She be thief abi she be runs girl?’

Ayo looked at Chief in the rear-view mirror again and looked away.

‘Ayo?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Is she a prostitute?’

‘Chief, I…I…I don’t know….’ Ayo stammered.

‘It is okay, Ayo. You know the ultimate decision is yours. Just be careful; you are a graduate and I know you did not go to school for nothing. That’s all I can say.’ Chief said as he picked up the Ipad beside him.

Ayo took a deep breath. ‘Yes sir.’

——

The story continues…