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Here we go again 🤸‍♀️

Hi,

I hope you enjoyed the last series served here titled ‘Yesterday Lives’ 😁

Did you follow through to the end? If you did, let’s share 🤗🤗

If you didn’t, it is not too late. Click Yesterday Lives in the menu and have fun reading 🤝

Another series; not entirely new to ardent followers of Olubukola’s Thoughts, starts today 💃💃and will be dropping in the next hour.

Please stay tuned and follow me on this journey. Don’t forget to use the share buttons at the end.

I would also love to hear from my readers.

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Thank you 🙏

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Yesterday Lives – Chapter 8

Madam was not home when the girls got back. They went to their beds quietly; each of them with different thoughts on their mind. Tutu watched as the two girls dispersed to their beds without a word. She wanted to know the outcome of their visit to the hospital but she could not ask as she knew Oghogho would ignore her. She decided she would ask Onome when Oghogho was away on a job or asleep.

******

“That her bobo good oh. As Oghogho dey pray that prayer, me sef dey follow am pray say make God send me person like that.”

“Ehen!! So he go marry her be that nau as she don get belle.”

“Yes nau. If he say he no want make she remove am, e mean say he wan marry her be dat. Because we don tell am say she no fit use belle do this work.”

Tutu had awakened from her sleep but remained still when she heard the conversation. She recognized the voices as that Onome and another roommate. So Kevwe was pregnant and Ayo was planning on making her keep it. Her emotions drifted between anger and jealousy. Who was Kevwe to have it all good? An uneducated prostitute. She was many times better off and she had been unable to get Ayo. She was educated; he was as well. Why would he stoop so low to someone like Kevwe? The anger in her boiled and she tightened her fist. She had to listen to everything her roommates were saying. She took her mind off Ayo for a brief moment and paid attention to what the girls were saying.

The girls kept on chatting until Tutu moved her legs. Onome noticed the movement and stopped talking. She nodded her head towards Tutu’s bed and the other girl acknowledged with a nod. They changed the topic of their discussion and started talking about what they intended to do with their future. When Tutu realized that they were no longer talking about Kevwe, she stood up from her bed and walked out of the room.

******

Kevwe drifted in and out of sleep. Ayo stayed by her side till late in the evening. At 7:00pm, he decided to go home. As he drove into Chief’s expansive compound, he saw Chief sitting in the garden reading an evening newspaper. He took a deep breath as he switched off the engine. He eased out of the car and greeted Chief.

“Good evening sir.”

Chief looked up from his newspaper. “Ayo, how are you?”

“Fine thank you sir.”

“Don’t you think you are overworking yourself young man. Your weekends should be for resting.”

“I know sir.” Ayo said looking at his feet.

“Come over here.” Chief said.

Ayo walked towards Chief.

Chief patted the chair beside him.

“I know you are trying to make money but you should not do that at the detriment of your health.”

“Yes sir.” Ayo replied as he sat down beside Chief.

“What do you think about working in my office as my technical assistant?”

Ayo raised his head to look at Chief. He stood up and prostrated. “I would appreciate it sir. Thank you very much, sir.”

“C’mon, stand up Ayo.” Chief laughed. “You have been very diligent and sincerely, I think you deserve something better.”

“Thank you sir.” Ayo said sitting down. “I appreciate all you have done for me. I am grateful, sir.”

“It is okay. You can continue your taxi runs if you wish to. It is your decision to make, if you feel you can handle it.”

“I can handle it sir.” Ayo said as he thought about his new status as a soon-to-be father.

“You can go and rest. We would draft your appointment letter on Monday, okay?”

“Okay sir.” Ayo said. He was about to stand up when he reconsidered. “Chief, can I discuss something with you?”

“Yes. What is it?”

Ayo cleared his throat. “Chief, I am….erm…my girlfriend….erm….she is…erm…she is….” He looked at his feet and scratched his head.

Chief looked at him expectantly. “She is…”

“She is….erm….pregnant.”

“What? Ayo? Your girlfriend is pregnant? What were you thinking of? What happened to protection?” Chief asked.

“I’m….I’m…I’m sorry Chief. I didn’t…mean….I mean, I didn’t know…” Ayo stuttered unable to complete his sentence.

Chief shook his head. “Ayo! Ayo! I warned you to be careful. Look at what you have gotten yourself into. Are you ready to take care of a family now?”

Ayo clasped his hands behind his back.

Chief sighed. “Let us talk about this on Monday at the office, okay?”

“Okay sir.”

Chief flicked his hand dismissively.

Ayo took the cue and walked to his apartment with his head bowed.

******

The next morning, Chief received a call about an impromptu meeting in Abuja for Monday morning. He asked Ayo to drop him off at the airport and told him he would be back on Wednesday.

“We would discuss all these pending issues when I get back. I won’t tell you that I am happy with you but well…” Chief paused. “We would talk about the way forward on Wednesday.”

Thirty minutes after Chief’s plane took off, it suffered a mechanical failure. The pilot had to do an emergency landing. There was chaos within the plane and passengers screamed, prayed and shouted. The pilot landed the plane successfully. As everyone struggled to get off the faulty plane, a woman noticed Chief slumped in his seat. She screamed, drawing the attention of the air hostesses. CPR was administered on Chief but it was too late. He had suffered a shock.

Chief’s family was contacted and his body was flown back to Lagos on Wednesday. Ayo told Ngozi, Chief’s wife not to bother going with him to the airport. He assured her that he would handle it. She was already broken and he did not want to see her breakdown totally when she saw her husband’s body.

Ayo shed a tear as he saw Chief’s body. A lot of his dreams had died with the man he was transporting to the mortuary. As he wiped the tears finding their way down his cheeks, he prayed he would be able to come out of the mess he had found himself.

 

Chief’s burial was done quickly. Tears flowed freely during his burial. Chief had touched so many lives and Ayo was shocked to see so many young people stepping out during the church service to eulogize him. Students who were on scholarship, widows Chief had helped to start off a business, market women who had been loaned money but Chief refused to accept repayment.

A day after the burial, Chief’s two brother’s came to the house with their aged mother to have a family meeting. Ngozi was told that it had been decided that Chief’s elder brother, Chidi take her as his second wife. She was told to handover all her husband’s documents for the house, his business and cars. She was also informed that since Chief was gone, there was no need wasting money on the numerous scholarships. They informed her they were going to Chief’s office the next day to introduce themselves to the staff as the new management. They told her they were only informing her out of courtesy as they really had no reason to.

Ngozi looked at her husband’s family with shock stamped on her face. Her husband had just been laid to rest and his brothers were talking about sharing of properties.

“I don’t understand what you are saying.” She said.

“What do you mean you don’t understand? Am I not speaking English or you want me to translate it to Igbo for you to understand?” Chidi snorted.

“You see, brother. I told you she won’t like this idea of being a second wife. I don’t know why you and mama don’t want her to be my wife. Ngo and I are almost age mates and I am still single and virile enough to continue Chigozie’s lineage. Let us change this agreement in the interest of everyone.” Ebuka; Chief’s younger brother said as he stood up.

“Will you shut up your mouth? Interest of who? Ngo and I are almost age mates.” Chidi mimicked Ebuka. “I have four strong sons. You don’t need an angel to come down to tell you that I can produce more. What have you produced that is giving you confidence? Sit down there.” Chidi said barking at his brother.

Ebuka sat down with a frown on his face. “Mama, mama, me I have said my own oh. Let it not be that I have not spoken my mind. I don’t know why you and brother are doing this wickedness to this poor woman.”

Tears streamed down Ngozi’s cheeks as she looked at her husband’s brothers haggling over her like a piece of meat. She bit her forefinger as she shook her head and looked to the heavens.

“Why are you crying now? Are we not trying to make your burden lighter? So what is making you cry? Chidi will take care of you and your children. This house is too big for you and the children alone.” Mama said as she swept her hand round the house.

“Besides, you are still very young and you need a man. It is normal for your husband’s elder brother to continue from where your husband stopped.” Mama continued. “Chidi and Mama Junior will pack their things and come here. You know their house is very small. All the children can play together in the very big compound.”

“Mama, you will even have a bigger room here instead of the small one in my house.” Chidi said smiling. “So Ngozi, where are the documents? Go and bring them.” He said facing his younger brother’s wife.

“Mama, Uncle Chidi, I have heard all what you have said. I will give you the documents of the house and the business, but God forbid that I marry any of you. I am shocked that you can even think about it.”

“Who are you to tell us what to do?” Chidi said getting angry. “You want the name of my brother to be wiped away just like that. You are not serious. Your place in this family can only be retained by marrying me.”

“Then I would prefer to leave then. I will not marry you.”

Ebuka coughed and all attention was drawn to him. “I am still single. I knew you would have issues with being a second wife. I can take care of you and the girls.”

Ngozi looked at Ebuka disgustingly. “Ah, Chigozie, why did you do this to me?” She soliloquized as she burst into tears.

“Bia, stop calling my son’s name in vain.” Mama said as she also burst into tears. She untied the wrapper around her waist and used it to wipe the tears streaming down her cheeks.

“You see what you have caused. It is your fault that mama is crying. Why are you so stubborn?” Chidi scolded Ngozi. “Mama, e don do. Let’s go. We would come back next week when your head don correct well well. Just make sure those documents are ready before my arrival, you hear?” He concluded as he pulled up his mother who was sobbing uncontrollably.

 

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…

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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…

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 3

Ayo had staggered into the compound at about 2:45pm. He was exhausted and starving. Ayotunde was playing a game of Suwe with her friends when she saw her father. She ran towards him and he carried her up and hugged her. Even though he was exhausted, Ayotunde always desired a hug from him. As he dropped his daughter, she held his hand. ‘Papa, Madam Nice…..’ She was saying when Ayorinde interrupted her.

‘Welcome Papa. How was work?’ He said as he looked at his father. ‘Ayotunde, go and play.’ He said to his sister. She obeyed immediately and went back to join her friends in the game.

‘Work was fine.’ Ayo said as he looked at his son. ‘What happened to Madam Something Nice?’

‘Don’t mind Ayotunde. I think she wanted to tell you that Madam Something Nice passed by here last night.’

‘Hmm…..’ Ayo said as he shook his head. ‘God will deliver that woman. I must never see her near my family.’

‘Yes Papa.’ Ayorinde replied as he walked into the room with his father.

As Ayo sat on the mattress to take off his boots, Kevwe walked in. She looked at the face of her son trying to decipher information from his face but Ayorinde’s face was blank like a plain sheet of paper.

‘My husband, welcome back.’ She said faking a smile as she looked at Ayo.

‘Thank you.’ Ayo replied unsmiling.

‘I don make pounded yam and egusi soup. Make I go bring am.’ She said as she touched her husband’s shoulders gingerly. ‘Ayorinde, get up. Make you come help me serve your papa.’

Ayorinde obeyed his mother and trudged behind her to the common kitchen shared by all the neighbours. When they were out of earshot, Kevwe pulled her son’s ears. ‘If you tell your papa anything, make you just know say you don die.’

Ayorinde looked at his mum, eyes unblinking.

‘You hear me?’ Kevwe asked.

‘I hear you.’ Ayorinde replied and turned to serve his father’s food into the bowl his mother had placed beside their stove.

Kevwe looked at her son’s back as he served the food. ‘You don dey grow wing, abi? Ehen? I go help you cut that your wing, you hear?’ She said as she scooped the pounded yam from the mortar into another bowl.

Years later, Kevwe still remained a troublesome woman and a source of concern to Ayo and his children. She complained about everything and anything. Her father had been a drunk while her mother was a prostitute. Her mother sold her to a client at the age of fifteen when she couldn’t pay up the debt she owed. Her father never bothered about her and her absence in the house was never mentioned.

At the age of fifteen, she became a prostitute as her madam was a pimp who traded girls for sex. She was sent to the houses of men who slept with her and paid directly to Madam for services rendered. She got an accommodation, clothes and food in return from Madam. She therefore had no reason to look back at the life she previously lived with her parents who never showed her love. As long as Madam took care of her needs, she was fine.

*****

She met Ayo one morning when she was coming back from a client’s house. She had been waiting to flag down a taxi when Ayo drove past in a grey Hyundai accent. He reversed the car and rolled down the window.

‘Hello beautiful, where are you going this morning?’

‘Obalende.’ She said as she used her hand to flick her weaves backward.

‘Come in. I am going that way as well.’

Kevwe opened the passenger door and eased herself into the car. She was wearing a low cut V-neck black mini gown which barely covered her bust and her thighs.

‘Thank you.’ She said as she smiled at Ayo.

‘So do you live in Obalende?’ Ayo asked as he looked at her thighs.

‘Yes.’ Kevwe replied as she threw her head back to expose her bust.

‘Hmm…..’ Ayo grunted as he looked towards the direction of her bust.

‘What about you?’ She asked as she glided her hands on her thighs.

Ayo noticed her hand movement and looked away. ‘I don’t stay in Obalende. I am actually going to the mechanic.’

‘Oh.’ Kevwe giggled. “I fit keep you company at the mechanic’s workshop nau. Abi, wetin you think?’

Ayo shrugged. ‘Okay. If it is fine by you.’

‘Of course.’ Kevwe giggled again.

In a few minutes, they were at the mechanic’s workshop. Ayo dropped the car and asked the mechanic to call him once he was done. There was a bar close by and Ayo decided to take Kevwe there while he awaited the mechanic’s call. They ordered a bottle of beer each and Kevwe gulped hers down in a hurry. Ayo teased her asking if she could handle another bottle and she asked him if he wanted to bet on it.

Ayo ordered another bottle for her and in a few minutes, she was done with the second bottle while Ayo was still on the first. After about forty minutes, the mechanic called Ayo to inform him that the car was ready. Kevwe asked Ayo if he would not mind giving her his number. He obliged as he reeled out his number to her. He drove off later while she went back to Madam’s house.

The encounter between them signaled a series of phone flashing from Kevwe. Ayo would always call back anytime she did; sometimes talking for long hours on the phone. However, Ayo never called her back during the day. He always made sure his calls to her were at night. Whenever Kevwe asked why he never called her back during the day, his response was that he was usually busy during the day. Kevwe however, would have preferred their discussions during the day as she was usually busy at night whenever Madam sent her to her clients. She was only free on the nights that she had no clients to attend to.

One night, during one their long calls, Kevwe told Ayo that she would like to visit him during the weekend. Ayo declined stating that he was travelling that weekend.

‘Okay, what about next weekend? Abi, you neva come back by that time?’

‘I will be back but I won’t be able to see you that weekend too. I have a family event to attend.’

‘You no wan invite me?’

Ayo breathed deeply. ‘It’s not that. You will visit me when the time is right, don’t worry.’

‘Okay oh. I don hear. This one wey you dey refuse make I come your house, I hope say no be say you don marry and you no wan tell me.’

Ayo guffawed. ‘Marry ke? Kevwe, abeg no make me laugh.’

‘Wetin dey funny dia? Your mates neva marry?’ Kevwe asked as she snorted.

‘I’m not married, Kevwe.’

Ayo decided to change the topic and Kevwe laughed heartily as they discussed into the night.

Four weeks later, Ayo called Kevwe one night that he was at the mechanic’s place at Obalende. He asked her if she could meet him there. Kevwe thought about where she would tell Madam she was going to. Today was her free day and she did not want to miss out on being with Ayo. She told him to give her about thirty minutes. She immediately put on a black round neck Tee-shirt on a red mini skirt and wore black ballet flats. She picked up a small handbag and ran down the stairs.

Madam was sitting in the living room watching the 7.00pm news. Kevwe coughed to catch her attention.

Madam looked up at Kevwe. ‘Where are you going? Is today not your free day?’

‘Yes ma.’ Kevwe curtsied. ‘I just wan see my friend. She wan give me something, I no go tey.’

Madam wrinkled her nose. ‘Hmm…mm, your friend.’

‘Yes ma.’

‘What time is light out?’

‘Twelve midnight ma.’ Kevwe said as she looked at her feet.

‘Make sure you are back before then.’ Madam said as she flicked her hand to dismiss her.

‘Yes ma. Thank you ma.’ Kevwe said as she curtsied again and walked out of the house.

Immediately she was out of the house, she turned into a dark corner around the building. She opened her handbag and took out a black transparent lacy blouse. She removed the Tee-shirt she was wearing quickly and put on the blouse. It hugged her bosom revealing her chest. She put the tee-shirt into her handbag and half-ran to the bus-stop to catch a bus to Obalende. As she boarded the bus, she put a call to Ayo to inform him that she was on her way.

Ayo was seated in the beer parlour opposite the mechanic’s workshop with a bottle of Gulder when Kevwe arrived there. He asked her if she would like to have a beer and she accepted. The waiter served Kevwe a bottle of cold Gulder and she took her time to drink it. Ayo smiled as he looked at her.

‘Wetin dey make you smile?’ Kewve asked.

Ayo shrugged. ‘The last time we were here, you rushed two bottles of beer. I’m wondering how come you are sipping this.’

Kevwe laughed heartily. ‘I no want make e finish on time.’

‘Well, you have to finish this on time if we are going out together.’

Kevwe’s eyes lit up. ‘You wan take me out. To where?’

‘Just finish your drink and let’s go.’ Ayo replied.

Kevwe gulped down her drink in one swig and Ayo had to laugh. He paid the waiter and they both walked out of the parlour. As Kevwe eased into his hyundai accent car, she looked at Ayo and asked again.

‘Tell me where we dey go nau.’

‘Be patient.’ Ayo replied as he switched on the engine.

‘I no be Patience.’

One thing Ayo loved about her was her sense of humour. ‘Okay, since you insist. I am going to watch a movie and I decided to take you with me.’ He smiled as he took his eyes off the road for a few seconds and looked at her.

‘Movie? For cinema?’ Kevwe asked.

‘Yes, at the cinema.’

Kevwe began to dance to an imaginary tune and Ayo laughed.

‘Why are you dancing?’ He asked as a smile played on his lips.

‘Because you dey take me go cinema nau. Nobody don take me go cinema before.’

‘Hmmm….’ Ayo hummed.

‘Yes oh. Who wan take me?’ She asked as she raised her palms up.

‘Well, we are here now.’ Ayo said as he parked his car in front of the Movieroll Cinemas. They both eased out of the car and Ayo held Kevwe by the hand when he noticed she looked a bit apprehensive. They walked to the ticket booth, paid for their tickets and got popcorn and a drink each. Ayo still held on to Kevwe’s hand as their tickets were scanned by the security. They walked into the hall and Ayo found a seat for two at the far end of the hall.

An hour and forty-five minutes later, they both walked out of the hall. Kevwe was all smiles as she eased back into Ayo’s car. Ayo noticed and laughed.

‘I can see you had fun.’ He said.

‘Ha, yes oh. I no no say na like dis inside cinema be sef.’

‘I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.’

‘Thank you Ayo.’

‘You are welcome.’ Ayo smiled as he kicked the ignition and started driving. Ten minutes later, Ayo honked in front of a enormous gate.

‘Which place be dis?’ Kevwe asked.

‘Well, you had been asking to know where I live.’ Ayo smiled as he looked at her.

‘Na your house be dis?’ Kevwe asked as her eyes grew big.

Ayo chuckled. No, this is not my house. We would get to my house soon.’

A security guard opened the gate and Ayo drove into an expansive estate. The estate had mostly duplexes and some bungalows. Some were in varied stages of construction while those that were completed were imposing structures.

Kevwe had her mouth agape as she looked around her. All the streets were well-lit and the environment had a peaceful ambience. Ayo parked his car in front of a white massive duplex. He killed the ignition and looked at Kevwe who was still looking around like a lost child.

‘Are you ready to go in?’ He asked her.

Kevwe turned to look at Ayo. ‘This na your house?’

‘No, Kevwe. It is not mine. It is my Uncle’s house but I also live here. So will you quit the questions and come inside with me?’

Ayo opened his door and stepped out of the car. Kevwe did same and walked towards him.

‘My Uncle lives in the big house. He gave me the boys’ quarters; so I stay at the back. He travelled with his family for vacation; so the house is currently empty.’ Ayo said as he retrieved a bunch of keys from his pocket. He opened the small side gate and led the way into the huge compound. Walking towards the back of the expansive building revealed another building; a bungalow also painted white.

Ayo inserted another key into the keyhole and opened the door of the bungalow. He asked Kevwe to go in while he followed behind. He touched the light button on the wall and Kevwe gasped when she saw the room interior.

‘This one na boy’s quarters?’ She asked as she walked further into the room and touched the white leather couch. It was a seven-seat settee. Kevwe looked round and was amazed. The room had grey wallpapers on the wall and there was a music system at the far end of the room. On the left, there was an en-suite room which was simply furnished. A small kitchen lay on the far right of the living room. Kevwe could not hide her astonishment as she kept looking from one room to the other while Ayo followed closely.

‘Your uncle dey very rich oh.’ She said when she eventually found her tongue.

‘Well….’ Ayo said as he walked towards the settee, picked up a remote control from the centre table and put on the TV. ‘Come over here.’ He said sitting down and patting the seat beside him.

Kevwe; still stunned kept looking around.

‘C’mon, come sit with me. I am sure you have seen bigger houses, so why are you surprised?’

Kevwe grunted. ‘Bigger houses? Guy, house get levels. If your BQ dey like this, how the main house go come dey?’

‘I’m sure you are exaggerating.’ Ayo stood up and pulled Kevwe to sit by him. ‘I want us to talk.’ He continued.

‘Okay.’ Kevwe said as she sat down and faced him.

‘I won’t pretend not to know what you do; and sincerely, I am in no position to tell you what to do and what not to do. I don’t know what pushed you into it but I just want to let you know that I don’t like it and I would be happy if you stopped.’

Kevwe took a deep breath. ‘Ayo, I know wetin you dey talk about but I no get person.’

‘You have me.’

‘You? You wey never see wetin dey under my dress.’

‘I don’t have to see it yet. The time will come; besides, is that the only way you would know that I will always be there for you?’

‘Hmmm.’ Kevwe grunted. ‘I no no wetin to talk. You know how many men don talk to me but all of them na my body dem want. After that, I no dey see them again.’

‘I’m sorry about that. I can only speak for myself.’

‘So wetin you want?’

‘I want you to stop this business you are into.’

Kevwe burst out into laughter. ‘Ayo, you no no anything oh. Business wey dey give me food chop, dey buy me cloth, give me house and everything wey I need.’

‘Is that all?’ Ayo asked her.

‘Wetin remain wey I dey find?’

Ayo sighed. ‘If I give you money monthly for your upkeep, will that be fine? Will it make you stop?’

Kevwe smiled. ‘Ayo, e no fit make me stop. The money you wan give me na to chop. Wetin I wan tell Madam wey give me house if she say make I go work?’

Ayo looked confused. ‘Madam?’

Kevwe hissed. ‘Ayo, make we leave this mata, abeg. You no go understand.’

‘But I want to. Please explain it to me. Who is Madam? You never mentioned you were staying with someone.’

‘How I go tell you?’ Kevwe queried.

‘Please tell me all about it.’ Ayo said as he took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.

Kevwe unable to hold his gaze dropped her head and sighed heavily. Over the past eight weeks, she had grown fond of Ayo and her day wasn’t complete if she had not spoken to him. He looked, dressed and talked decently and he was someone she would like to spend the rest of her life with. But she knew that wish was impossible. She knew this whirlwind romance between them would end one day as he would look for someone in his class and not a low-life like her. It hurt but she had learned to accept her fate. In times past, she wished she was not born into the family she was, but pondering over that only made her depressed. She had therefore decided to be happy and make the best use of every opportunity she had or came by.

‘I’m listening.’ Ayo said as he lifted up her chin.

Kevwe started her story right from when she was young. Her drunk father, her prostitute mother and the lack of care. She told him about how she was sold to Madam because her mother could not pay up the debt she owed. She told him about how Madam had been her sole source of help as she gave her food, clothes and accommodation. Madam told her for every help she rendered, she needed to payback by being her service girl. She had had no choice and her journey to prostitution began.

Tears spilled down Kevwe’s cheeks as she spoke. It wasn’t the kind of life she wanted but she had no choice in the situation. If she wasn’t wanted by her parents, who would want her? She was not ready to go looking for either her mum or dad’s family. As far as she was concerned, her parents and their families were all dead to her.

Ayo’s heart broke as he listened to her. What a life. He immediately felt sorry that he had judged her in his heart. He knew she had a story but he never imagined it was this bad. Kevwe tried to continue her story but she sobbed so much that she began to gasp as she spoke. Ayo pulled her closer and hugged her.

‘It is okay, darling. Please stop talking about it.’ He said as he caressed her hair. ‘I’m sorry you had to go through all this. I am here now.’

‘I….I….’ Kevwe was saying but she was hushed by Ayo.

‘Sshhh. It is okay.’ Ayo whispered and wiped her tears with his thumb. ‘I’m glad I know all this now.’ He said as he lifted her chin and kissed her lips tenderly.

Kevwe kissed him back and held on to him tightly. She caressed him as she did and Ayo’s body began to come alive. He tried to push her back but Kevwe refused to let him go as she continued to kiss him. She began to unbutton his shirt in a hurry. Ayo knowing what she wanted, stopped her as he held her back.

‘I’m not ready for this.’ He said; holding on to her hands.

‘Why?’ Kevwe asked astonished and breathing hard.

‘The time is not right.’

‘Wetin you dey talk for mouth, Ayo? Why you come bring me to your house?’

‘Kevwe, I wanted us to talk. That is why I brought you here.’

Kevwe was dumbfounded. ‘I no understand. You bring me come your house because you wan talk. Why you no talk for cinema? Why you dey ask me all these questions?’

Ayo breathed hard as he looked at Kevwe and took her face in his hands.

Kevwe slapped his hands away and stood up abruptly. ‘Come carry me go house. I no fit sleep outside if I no dey work. Madam go don dey look time for me.’

Ayo looked at his wrist watch. It was a quarter to 11p.m. ‘Don’t you think you should sleep here? It is late already.’

Kevwe burst into laughter and Ayo was confused.

She sneered. ‘Me, Kevwe? Sleep for your house? You wey dey speak English now as I touch you. You wan make I sleep for your house. You no serious. Abeg, come carry me go my house, jare. If you no fit carry me go, give me money make I go charter taxi.’

Ayo sighed and stood up. ‘If that is what you want, I will take you home.’

In a few minutes, they both eased into Ayo’s car. Kevwe was quiet all through the journey while Ayo was confused. He really liked Kevwe but he was not ready to sleep with her yet. Uppermost on his mind at the moment was getting her out of prostitution.

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 2

Ayorinde and Ayotunde ran towards the dark alley just opposite the bridge. When they got to their regular spot, Ayotunde handed over the mobile phone to Ayorinde before throwing out all the contents of the bag on the ground. She picked out the wallet and opened it. It was filled with one thousand naira notes and she whistled. Ayorinde was already taking out the sim card from the phone and fixing the back cover of the phone into its place. Ayotunde started counting the notes. She counted six notes. She nudged her brother and smiled. It was going to be a good day for them. She handed over the notes to Ayorinde who put them in the back pocket of the jeans he was wearing. He dropped his shirt which looked two sizes bigger and made sure his back pocket was well covered.

Ayotunde bent down and started rummaging through the items she had thrown on the ground. A make-up bag, some chocolates in a Ziploc bag and a hand sanitizer. She opened the wallet again and found two ATM cards. She took them out and dropped them on the ground. She was about putting the wallet back into the bag when Ayorinde stopped her.

‘Drop the wallet. You can’t take it.’

‘But why? It’s a beautiful wallet.’ Ayotunde asked.

‘It may put us in trouble. Leave it and take any other thing you want in there. I will get you a wallet if you want one.’

‘Thank you.’ Ayotunde smiled as she put back the items she had initially thrown on the ground into the bag except the wallet and the ATM cards.

She trusted her brother’s judgment and would dare not go against whatever he said.

Ayorinde turned the phone to the right and to the left. The silver lining on the phone glistered in the dark. ‘Let’s go home and eat first. We would sort this out tomorrow morning.’ He said to his sister.

She nodded her response.

He stretched out his hand and she took it as they passed through the dark alley and crossed over to the shanties behind.

As they edged closer to their abode, they heard a woman screaming. ‘You go kill me today oh. You go kill me.’

Ayorinde and Ayotunde looked at each other. Tears gathered in Ayotunde’s eyes but Ayorinde signaled a no with a wave of his fore finger and head.

She nodded as she looked at her brother with admiration. He always knew how to handle any situation.

Ayorinde took a detour and avoided the entrance of their house. He went towards the back of the house and led his sister in.

The voice of the screaming woman rose above the night breaking the peace and quiet of the environment.

Ayotunde put her hands on her ears trying to block the vulgar words spewing out of the woman’s mouth from filtering into her ears. Ayorinde noticed and hugged his sister. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. ‘I have told you not to cry. It will soon be over.’ He reassured her.

Ayotunde sniffed as she wiped the tears that were now spilling onto her cheeks. Even though she was just twelve, she understood everything that was going on around her. Her brother, who was five years older than her, was her only source of comfort in the crazy world that she lived in.

At the age of seven, she was about to be sold into prostitution but for the timely intervention of her brother, Ayorinde. He had overheard the conversation between his mother and the prospective buyer; Madam Something Nice. Everyone knew Madam Something Nice bought girls from their parents and flew them out of the country to prostitute but their mother had been indifferent. She had always told Ayotunde that she was her cheque out of poverty. She always sang it into her daughter’s ears that she was the one to take her out of the valley of wretchedness which their father had thrown them into. Ayotunde never really understood but she always nodded and smiled anytime her mother said so. At a very young age, she believed she would get her family out of poverty.

The night she was to be sold, Madam Something Nice had come knocking on the door of their room in the decrepit face to face apartment where they lived. Their father was out on night shift where he worked. Kevwe had jumped up immediately she heard the taps on the door. She had instructed Madam Something Nice to tap three times so as not to wake her children up. Kevwe opened the door quietly and stepped outside. She spoke in a whisper to Madam Something Nice asking her if she came with her bodyguard as agreed. His job was to carry her daughter while she slept. Madam Something Nice had confirmed in the affirmative. Kevwe asked for her initial deposit and Madam Something Nice had told her she needed to see her daughter first before she could make any payment.

The whispers from outside the door had roused Ayorinde from sleep and he had listened intently to the conversation. When he realized what his mother was about to do, he had woken Ayotunde up. She was still groggy and he told her she needed to go pee. She had only nodded as her brother half-carried her. As Kevwe opened the door to reveal her daughter to Madam Something Nice, she was shocked to see Ayorinde fully awake with his sister half-asleep. Ayorinde’s arms were wrapped around his sister as he dragged her up. Kevwe asked where he was taking his sister to and Ayorinde said Ayotunde woke him up saying she wanted to pee. Kevwe had no reason to doubt her son and she told him to make it quick.

Five minutes later, when Ayorinde and Ayotunde refused to emerge from the bathroom down the hall, Madam Something Nice became impatient. Kevwe pleaded with her to hold on as she would go check on them. Kevwe got to the stalls down the hall and knocked on the stall that was occupied. She called her son’s name and he answered her. She asked what was taking them so long. Ayorinde responded that his sister had decided to poo. Kevwe became edgy and asked him to get his sister to hurry with her toilet business. She walked back to Madam Something Nice to apologize to her but Madam Something Nice would have none of that. She told her she had other places to go to and if she was truly ready, she would have to bring her daughter herself. Kevwe knew this was near impossible as Madam Something Nice was hardly in the country. She only travelled home when she needed more girls.

Ayorinde came out of the stall a few minutes later to confirm if his sister’s abductors had gone. When he noticed the coast was clear, he called Ayotunde out of the stall and warned her never to go anywhere with their mother alone. He told her that going forward, they had to stick together.

Kevwe had been furious with Ayorinde when he came back from the bathroom with his sister. She slapped her son and asked him why it took him so long to make his sister use the bathroom. Out of anger, Ayorinde had spoken up. He asked his mother what Madam Something Nice was doing in front of their door at that time of the night. He asked his mother what business she had with Madam Something Nice as everyone knew her reputation. Kevwe had been shocked as Madam Something Nice had hidden in the dark and she did not realize that her son knew she had a visitor. She had been lost for words and unable to gather her thoughts together after the accusation.

She had not envisaged that she would be caught in her act. She had everything planned out or so she thought. Their father, Ayo would leave home for work where he worked as a security guard attached to a service company. He would go for the night shift at 6:00pm as usual. The kids would have dinner at 7:00pm and by 8:30pm, they would be in bed. By 11:00pm, they would be fast asleep and Madam Something Nice would come with her bodyguard, carry Ayotunde to their car while she slept and be gone before anyone noticed.

Ayo would be back at 1:00pm the next day and would ask about his daughter. She would respond that her cousin, Ejiro had arrived very early from Ghana that morning and taken Ayotunde with her so she could enroll her in school and also take care of her. Her husband would have believed her and would have been happy because even though he longed for his children to be educated, he couldn’t afford to send them to school right now.

Everything would have worked out as premeditated but all her plans had been thrown into disarray by Ayorinde. She looked at her son with anger blazing in her eyes. Ayotunde crouched behind her elder brother as he stood chin-up to his mother daring her to answer his question. When she refused to give him an answer, he took his sister’s hand and led her back into the room. He lay on the bed and hugged his sister just in case his mother tried to play a fast one on him while they were asleep.

Kewve refused to go back into the room immediately. She stood outside the door as she deliberated on the night’s event. What if Ayorinde related what had transpired to his father? No, he won’t. She thought. He wouldn’t dare. He knew what she was capable of doing. But what if he did? She sighed. It would be his words against hers. She would never own up to wanting to sell her daughter. She opened the door quietly and lay on her side of the bed. She looked at Ayorinde who was already asleep but had his arms wrapped around his sister. She turned towards the wall as she bit her lips. She wasn’t a bad mother, she just wanted the best for herself and her family; she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

———-
The story continues…

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 1

The traffic light turned red. The grey Peugeot 405 inched slowly towards the white line and waited. The time on the dashboard read 7:45pm. Aderemi tapped her feet and the steering wheel impatiently. Her father had warned her not to stay out late but she had been so engrossed in her gist with Folake that she lost track of time.

Folake was leaving for Canada in two days and her parents had decided to throw her a farewell party. They had recently graduated from the secondary school and Folake had gotten admission into a University in Canada. Even though, Aderemi was happy for her friend, she was also sad that she was leaving. She had pleaded with her father a number of times to allow her study in the United States but he had insisted that she was going to study in Nigeria. She had just been offered admission into a private university.

As she bid Folake farewell, her eyes filled with tears. She held on tightly to her friend as she hugged her. She knew her father was going to be upset with her as she had stayed beyond the agreed time but they had not even realized that time was far spent. Her father had asked Mr. Solomon, the driver to take her but Aderemi had stamped her feet as she told her father she was no longer a baby. ‘Besides, Daddy, I don’t need a chaperone. Do you want my friends to laugh at me that instead of a boyfriend, I brought a body guard?’ She had asked as she pouted her mouth. Her father had reluctantly allowed her to go alone but with a promise to leave early. ‘Well, leaving at 7:00pm was early.’ She said to herself as she considered her other friends who were still at the party. She was engrossed in her thoughts as her mind unconsciously counted down the seconds on the traffic light and waited for it to go amber.

Suddenly, she was shaken from her reverie with a bang on her wound-up window. Terrified, she turned to see a gun pointed at her face through the glass. She started shaking as she looked at the face and dropped her eyes to the gloved hand holding the gun. A finger signaled to her to look in the other direction and she saw another person standing at the passenger window with a hand movement telling her to roll down her windows. She fumbled with the power button beside her in trepidation and a gloved hand dipped its hands into her car and retrieved her handbag and her mobile phone which were lying carelessly on the passenger seat.

Just like it had happened, she was left alone and she saw the traffic light turn green before her. For a few seconds, she sat in shock with her leg still on the brake pedal. The honk from a car behind her jolted her and she sped away. What had just happened? She kept on thinking over and over.

In ten minutes, she was at the entrance of her house. She honked continuously until the gateman rolled open the gates to let her in. She parked the car, switched off the ignition and jumped out as she broke into a run towards the house.

‘I’m sorry Daddy.’ She said as she ran smack into the father who was fuming at the door.

‘Aderemi!’ Mr. Johnson called out to his daughter who was running towards her room. ‘Will you get back here?’ He shouted but he got the slam of her bedroom door as a response. ‘What is wrong with her?’ He soliloquized as he stormed towards her bedroom in anger.

Aderemi rolled into a fetal position, covered up herself with her duvet and burst into tears. She replayed the events of a few minutes ago over and over in her head. She should have listened to her father and taken Mr. Solomon with her. She should have left earlier as she had promised her father. She should have been more observant of her surroundings; her father had told her that times without number. Her father opened her bedroom door and she jumped.

‘Aderemi, what is….’ Mr. Johnson was saying and stopped short when he saw his daughter’s face. His countenance changed immediately and he walked towards her bed. He stretched out his hands and Aderemi sat up and fell into her father’s embrace. ‘Aderemi my love, my princess, the joy of my world.’ He said as he lifted up his daughter’s chin and wiped her tears with his thumb. ‘What is wrong?’

‘I was robbed Daddy.’ Aderemi said as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

‘Robbed? Where?’

‘At the traffic light at Kingsway junction.’

Mr. Johnson sighed.

‘I’m sorry I came home late Daddy. I should have listened to you and allowed Mr. Solomon to take me. I’m sorry.’ Aderemi said sobbing.

Mr. Johnson pulled his daughter closer and hugged her. ‘It is okay, my love. It is okay. I’m glad you are home and safe.’

When Aderemi ceased from her tears, her father asked her to take a hot bath and go to bed. She nodded quietly as she obeyed her father.

 

Two hours later, when Adeleke Johnson was sure his daughter was asleep, he retired to his bedroom. As he lay in bed, his mind travelled to when Aderemi was just six years old and expecting a baby sister from her mother, Grace. She had been excited as she saw her mother’s tummy grow into a big ball; as she called it. Each day, she put her head on her mother’s tummy as she talked to her baby sister. She was already in love with the unborn child and she showed it daily by kissing the big tummy. She was a precocious child and everyone including her mother marveled at her wisdom.

Grace’s labour had come in her thirty-eight week and everything had seemed normal. She put to bed a healthy baby girl and Adeleke had been filled with joy. His joy was however short-lived when Grace and the baby developed complications the next day. The doctors battled to save the life of both mother and child. Adeleke was confused. What could have happened between when he left them the night before and the next morning when he came to see them? Doctors ran from one room to the other as they struggled with each patient. After about two hours of frenzied activities, the medical director called Adeleke into his office. He had both good news and bad news.

Adeleke asked for the bad news first. They had lost Grace. The good news was his daughter had survived the ordeal and was hale and hearty; even though she was still under observation. Adeleke had bowed his head as tears streamed down his cheeks. His daughter was discharged two days later and he named his daughter after her mother.

He tossed and turned on the bed as he thought about Grace sleeping in the room next to his; separated by an interconnecting door and Aderemi in the room opposite his. After the death of their mother, Aderemi became a recluse and struggled with nightmares. Even at the tender age of six, she understood that her mother was no more. It had taken him years of constant love, care and trust to get her out of where she had hidden her emotions. He refused to send her to a boarding house for her secondary education as he wanted to be a part of her everyday life. His job as an automobile engineer allowed him time to take care of Grace and still do school runs with Aderemi every day. Over the years, the three of them formed an unbreakable bond. He steered clear of relationships as he did not want to risk breaking the bond he shared with his girls.

As he began to doze off, he prayed in his heart that the event of this night would not herald another set of nightmares for his daughter. He also prayed that she would not go back into the deep where he had had to get her out from years ago.

 

The story continues…….