Episode 1
See all episodes here » HELLO
DEAR READERS, IT’S BEEN A WHILE. THIS TIME, I DECIDED TO WRITE A NOVEL, THOUGH
IT WILL BE VERY SHORT. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COMMENTS, LIKES AND RATINGS AS
USUAL. THANK YOU mwahh. COME IN BEFORE THE TRAVELLING BUS GETS FULL hehe, ALSO
INFORM YOUR FRIENDS. LET’S GET THIS BUS MOVING, SHALL WE? Knock knock. Knock
knock . Knock knock “God, who exactly is it at this time of the day?” Maddy
rolled on her bed, ignoring the knocks from the door. Knock knock. Knock knock.
Knock knock “Now, this is crazy. Who disturbs other people at this hour? It may
be that persistent loser. I won’t open the door for him.” she concluded in her
mind. She finally opened her eyes after ten minutes of serious disturbance from
that inhumane person at her door, as she thought. She rolled over to put on the
light from the lampstand. She picked her phone and put it on, still
half-sleepy. She sprung up from her bed immediately when she saw the time. “Oh
My God! It’s 6:20 already? God, what happened to the alarm?” She threw the
phone away “It couldn’t even wake me.” She face palmed. “Everything’s just
going bad for me, even my alarm betrayed me” She thought. “Great, my eyes are
red. Now, everyone at work will think I drank a carton of beer last night .
Stupid, stupid me”. She said while she brushed her teeth, washed her face,
changed from her nightdress into a sweat pant and sweater and then headed for
the door while she slightly shook. She opened the door and her eyes widened
“Nancy, so it was you? I didn’t know, so sorry. Come on in!” She took her best
friend by the arm and entered the room back. Nancy was shaking like jellyfish
and her body was very cold. Maddy put the heater on, went to the kitchen, made
some tea, poured into two mugs and brought them to the living room. “I’m sorry,
Nancy. Do you feel better now?” she asked. Nancy looked at her, took three sips
from the tea and put the mug down. She took her muffler off her body and walked
up to her. “One, two, three” Maddy counted in her mind. At the count of three,
Nancy hit her and she yelped. “Why on earth did you refuse to open your door?
I’ve been at your door for nothing less than twenty minutes. You want me to
finally freeze so you can put me here” she walked over to where she pointed to.
“So you want to put me here like a statue so when people enter, they comment
‘what a beautiful statue!’ then you say ‘ooh that’s my bestie. I love her so
much, I got her freezed outside my door in the harmattan so now I feel guilty
and I want her where I am’ Bullsh-t! What type of bestie are you?” Maddy had
laughed so much at her drama because she kept demonstrating and it was so
funny. “I’m sorry, Miss Drama Queen”. She kept laughing and Nancy joined in the
laughter. “You know it’s Ken who named me drama queen” she suddenly frowned. “I
don’t want to hear that name, Nan, I don’t. It’s over” Maddy said, as a matter
of fact and left the living room. Nancy followed her and they entered her room.
“Okay okay. Is it more than what he told me? Cos I don’t think that is enough
to call off your wedding” Nancy sat on the bed. “Ookay, it isn’t? I should have
him cheat on me forever while I get hooked in a ‘What God Has Joined Together’
thing?” Maddy said, demonstrating with her hands. “Sorry, but I can’t do that”
she left her there, changed into a towel and headed for the bathroom. Turning
back, she said “I’ll be back in a jiffy but call Nurse Prexious and tell her
I’ll be a bit late. By the way, why are you going to work?” “Alright. Tyler is
getting discharged today, both father and son want me to be there” “Hun hun
hun” Maddy said, suggestively “Ma-di-son, come back here, it’s not what you
think” Nancy said in a sing-song “Tsk. Whatever! So boring an individual” Maddy
said under her breath. “Anyway, that’s an honorable cause for going out on
one’s day off” she said and Nancy smiled. “Na you sabi o. But seriously…” Nan
started and she ran off to the bathroom.
Episode 2
NANCY God, she’s just so adamant and stubborn. To think I left my house so early to talk to her. I stood up and paced her room a bit as I heard the shower running in the bathroom. I’m definite she brushed her teeth before coming to open the door. I don’t even know if it’s only because of mouth odor because it’s already a sacrifice. Maddy won’t speak to anyone until she brushes her teeth. My phone vibrated in my jeans so I checked the caller and picked it up. “Hello Ken, yes I’m there, no she’s not, she’s taking her bath, probably not on, not yet, she says it’s over, calm down, you don’t worry, continue with the plans, I’ll speak to her, come on, I give you my word, you’re welcome, you too, amen bless you too, bye”. I put my phone back in my jeans. Some people just don’t appreciate what they have until they’ve lost it. She entered and started dressing up. “I threw the water away Nan, I was just so fast”. “Hype yourself. It’s okay because I won’t” I replied. “Wicked soul” she said and made faces at me” I think I heard your voice. Did you call someone?” “Nah, Ken called” “Oohhkayy, I see” she drawled showing she’s totally uninterested in the discussion. I ignored her attitude and continued “He wanted to talk to you. He said he couldn’t get across to you. I told him your phone is probably not on. Well, Maddy, you and I both know your phone is on. Did you block his number?” “Well” she shrugged and started applying her make-up. “You blocked him?” I stood, my voice higher than normal. “Yes, I did” she said and faced me “What will I do with a cheater’s number? I don’t keep things that are of no benefit to me” “Ooh come on” I sat back. “What evidence do you have that he cheated on you? Don’t be silly, you’re just dancing to Rita’s tune. This is exactly what she wants and she must be loving it right now. After being in a relationship for over two years, have you no trust in your man?” “Oh damn trust Nancy! The same trust I had in Jimmy that turned me into a fool. He impregnated another woman. Kennie had two buttons on his shirt undone, his hands were on the door knob and Rita was behind him almost undressed when I walked in. He was probably going to lock the door so the act could begin but I spoilt their show. You should’ve seen his face Nancy, like a child caught stealing meat red-handed” “That was Jimmy, girl, this is Ken. You don’t bring the past into the present, it spoils issues. Did you give him any chance to explain himself? Plus, Jimmy was not God’s plan for you, you just went ahead to hurt yourself but you were so sure, even confirmations came from outside that Ken is the one. I don’t think he can ever do that to you. At least, hear him out” I said and took a deep breath. I’m not one who talks fast and much at once, unlike Maddy. “Don’t stress yourself. Men,” she scoffed “they are all the same. Their erection dictates their action. I knew this would happen, I was just waiting for it. He even shook Rita the other day before yesterday, in my presence. See, I’m no longer interested in men, they can go to hell for…” “Come on, keep mute.” I interrupted her. “Yan yan yan yan” I mimicked her “Are you talking sensibly at all? They can go to hell? At this rate, you may have to lead them there. You are too insecure. It’s even good this is happening before the wedding or you might make him fill a divorce paper. If not, become his prayer point. Just because Rita is his ex, he can’t shake her. Who knew Rita would actually do that rubbish? Plus, you said you were waiting for it? For the sake of all that’s holy and just, while some women are busy building hedges round their men, you are waiting for yours to fall into error? Better grow sense quick and keep your man before…” “Wait Nancy, are you advising me right now? You’re seriously teaching me how to keep a man? You of all people?” she clapped her hands and moved in front of me. “Great teacher” she bowed “why haven’t you applied it for yourself? No no, just show me the man you have kept. Oops” she said like she forgot something “you can’t keep any because they don’t even come. All the guys have friend-zoned you. So, why do you think I should take to your advice, oh teacher? State your theories ma’am” she sat on the bed “I’m listening, go on” I put my hand on my face, tears threatening to come out. “You don’t know how bad it hurts me that he cheated on me. Just don’t advise me, please” she said, looking a bit sober. I stared at her with my glassy eyes in astonishment and she face palmed herself. She probably just discovered she had said too much. Well, the deed is done already. I went to the sitting room and she followed me. Picking up my bag, I faced her. “I’m leaving. Don’t be late for work” “Wait…” “To do what? Who am I to talk to you? I’m not experienced in the relationship field, dear” I smiled bitterly “I just hope you deal with your issues before it becomes too late”. She got transfixed at a point and I left the house. I looked back to see she isn’t following me. Well, not like I expected her to anyway. I know her well, she didn’t mean most of what she said. Still, in every lie, there is a hint of truth. But then, Maddy just can’t insult… Oh my God. The tears that lurked at the corner of my eyes fell freely. I walked on, turned a corner and cried my heart out to God.
Episode 3
MADDY Aish, what is this? I just got my best friend upset. I don’t think I’ve seen that face she gave me before. But then, what was her business with my affair? She’ll come around and we’ll settle it, she always does whenever we fight. I checked my watch. It’s been thirty minutes since Nancy left and I’ve been restlessly pacing the room. Such a waste of time, I thought to myself. I went into my room and perfected my make-up. I had prepared for work since yesterday so I just carried my bag, adjusted my skirt, put off all the lights and left for work. I was contemplating whether or not to take a bike when a bike man stopped in front of me. “Where to?” he asked. “Gretins Hospital” I said. “Na #100 e be o” the man said “Haba! #100 for wetin? Na #50 e be. If no be say I don late sef, na trek I go trek am”. “Oya make am #70, so you go get to work fast” “Na #50 e be . Abeg shift let me commot. You no wan get passenger ni” I don’t even feel like taking bike, just that I want to get to work on time. “Haba! Aunty, u don vex. Oya come take am #50” the bike man finally accepted. I waited expectantly and he stared at me “Aunty, let us go na. Wetin u dey wait for?” “You no get helmet?” I asked “Aah, helmet? I no get o” “Why you no get am? E dey necessary for protection na. Wait sef, you yourself no get, how you get give me make I use?” “Na the economy cause am o. How much I dey earn wey I go use am buy two helmets and helmet sef don become expensive now. I go remove from today’s money pay the bike owner, buy something to eat and to take home for Iya Risi or else she go kill me last last and say…” “Ohh Lordd, everything is wrong!” I muttered to myself “Wetin dey wrong? Nothing dey wrong o, abeg get on make we dey go. Na God go dey continue to watch us” “Okay,” I said and mounted the bike and off we went. I should be at the hospital soon and I’ll see Nancy. What am I going to do? Aah, such headache early in the morning. We’ll just avoid each other, I guess. But people will notice and ask us questions. Busybodies are many in this world o. How will I even tell people I’m no longer getting married? I’ve shared invitation cards… The man swerved swiftly and I shouted “Baba, abeg small small na” “No vex, na that driver dey craze” the man shouted back “Okay, sha be careful” This time yesterday, I was in the seventh heaven, babbling to Nancy over the phone about my date with Kennie; my soon-to-be husband. I was all over the place the last week, so excited about the wedding. Who knew? Just who knew it would never hold? I feel like waking up from this horrible… A loud horn broke the train of my thoughts and the bike got hit from the back. Before I could say Jim, I felt myself thrown in the air and in a whiff, my body made contact with the floor. I felt intense pain all over and I tried to open my eyes only to see different faces hovering over me and people talking at the same time. I felt something seeping out of my body and couldn’t even make out most of what the people were saying. “What just happened? Am I dying?” Different thoughts flooded my mind as I tried to move my body a bit but it hurt a lot. I felt hands on my body, probably trying to stop the flow of blood. My vision started blurring and I started batting my lashes so I don’t get unconscious before help comes but gradually, I got drained of all strength and in the end, I gave in to the overwhelming darkness. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TO MADDY BAYII? WHAT WILL NANCY DO WHEN SHE FINDS OUT? THIS IS GBONGAUN O. LEMME HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION AS USUAL. I LOVE YA ALL. SHH, DON’T TELL ANYONE, BUH TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY. SHH, DON’T TELL JOOR hehehe.
Episode 4
Ensure he uses his medications. I’ve written the usage on them” Nancy said and gave the package to Mr. Hamilton. “Thank you” the man replied. “Tyler,” she faced the young boy sitting on a chair “go play with your friends. I want to have a talk with daddy. Don’t take too many sweets okay?” “Okay mummy Nancy” the boy replied and she smiled at him as he ran away, looking very happy. She led him outside the building and towards two seats under a tree. She took a seat and signaled to the man to take the other. She then heaved a sigh and faced Mr. Hamilton who was scrutinizing her face. “What?” she asked him. “Your eyes are a bit swollen” he said. “That’s because I worked a lot yesterday” “Hunn” he said distractedly and leaned closer. She gulped hard because of the close proximity and sighed “Mr . Hamilton…” “You don’t look too happy either” he interrupted “How will you know if I’m happy or not?” she asked, tilting her head and folding her hands “Well, you don’t sigh frequently but I’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve sighed today” he said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs. Thank goodness, she heaved a sigh of relief “You see,” he said like he won a jackpot “you just sighed again” “No, you caused that…” she cut the sentence short and he raised a brow “Oops sorry” she said with an apologetic smile “I mean work caused that. It’s so overwhelming so I’m just tired. The joy of the Lord…” “Is your strength” he said together with her. “Ehm” he cleared his throat “you wanted to tell me something” “Yeahh” she stuttered. God, what’s this man doing to me? I’ve even forgotten what I wanted to say. All his gestures are strangely affecting me. Lord, what’s this? She groaned inwardly. “So, Mr Hamilton…” “Call me Brent, please” “No, that isn’t official sir. I shouldn’t call my patient’s…” “I insist, please” he appealed to her. Her heart skipped a beat. “He actually has a strong jawline and… wait! Jesus! Am I normal like this? I think I have a psychological disorder” she thought “Okay Brent” she finally succumbed and he smiled “Thank God Tyler is better now. You should monitor him and ensure he takes his medications as and when due. He is just five, still very young. Losing his mum was a very traumatic experience to him. You should cater for his psychological needs as a father and also as a mother. Travelling around and leaving him with his grandma won’t work now. He isn’t too acquainted with her and that must be why he worried more. It seems he was closer to his mum than you, right?” “Yes” he answered, pursed his lips and took a deep breath. “So sorry, Mr.…” he looked up and she corrected herself “Sorry Brent”. He gave her a small smile. “Anyway,” she continued “you have to deliberately make time for him so he does not worry so much. He got insomnia because of the pain from the loss of his mom and it got chronic because of his medical condition. It is not a big deal, you can see he’s already sleeping well and very agile during the day now. Who knows, he may even receive his healing” she said with a little smile and he gave her a big one. “Yes nurse, I believe” he paused a little bit “Thanks Nancy. I really appreciate you, more than you can ever know” She gulped hard. “What is wrong with me? Why do I have strange feelings whenever I’m with him? Something is definitely wrong with me” she thought to herself. “You’re welcome, Brent” He stared at her for some time and then looked away, fiddling with his fingers. “What’s wrong?” she asked him in a concerned tone. She moved close to him and put her hand on his shoulder but in a swift move, he took her hands away from his shoulder. WHAT DO YOU THINK BRENT IS DOING? ORRR WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? LET’S MEET AS USUAL IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. LOVE YA PLENTY!
Episode 5
NANCY “What have I done? Now he’ll think…” I thought in my mind as he removed my hand from his shoulders only to put it in his hands. It came so sudden to me that I stared at my hand encircled by his . He held my hands tightly as if I might suddenly let go. “Nancy,” he called and I looked up to meet his eyes staring deep into mine “the day I came rushing here to see my son, panting and sweating and you smiled at me, telling me Tyler is doing very well, I got attracted towards you.” I swallowed and he took my second hand “the other time you asked me for Tyler’s hobbies, I felt even more attracted. When I later saw you reading to Tyler and other children during your recess, my heart melted completely” My toes curled and my stomach turned as he spoke. I pursed my lips and started thinking “Is he going to ask me out? Lord, what will I say? Ohh myy, this is the time Maddy’s help will have been most appreciated.” I was shaken out of my thoughts when he took my right hand from his. He faced down and killed an insect on my leg, then faced me back . Our eyes met and I looked down, then he gave a little laugh and held my hand again. “Sorry I took your hand from mine, I wanted to…” he paused abruptly and I looked up, then he said “yes, I wanted you to look at me or better still, I wanted to look into your eyes.” I blushed and heat crept into my cheeks. “Brent, you are just too… is this how you woo ladies with your sweet mouth?” He looked at me for a while that I felt weird “Uhmm, did I say something wrong?” I asked. “No, I was just thinking of how I can get minimally and still seriously hurt so I will be admitted here but still be able to do fun things with you. That way, I won’t have to travel and I’ll have time to be with you and with Tyler. He sees you as his mummy already.” “My God, Brent, you must be crazy. Get injured and I won’t attend to you well. I’ll make your shots very painful and tell Dr. Tomie, the physiotherapist to make all your exercises painful.” “Hahahahaha” he laughed, still not letting my hand go “so far I’m with you darling, I’m fine” he said and I smiled, shaking my head. I think I like this man. His laughter makes me laugh too. “I love your smile” he said, intertwining my right hand with his “You’re so beautiful in all you do, even giving wicked shots” he said with a grin. “Any man will be lucky to have you, but make me the luckiest and happiest in the world. Give me, us, a chance, Nancy” I went mute and but alarms kept going off in my head “Oh My God, he’s asking me out!” I would blow up inside but very cool on the outside. “Okayyyy” I said, stretching the word. “You mean okay as in yes?” he asked, his eyes lighting up like fireworks. “No” I suddenly answered. He looked very disappointed and I immediately added “Not no as in no,” he looked up and I continued “I mean no as in no to the former question” he looked at me with an uncertain look and then broke into a smile. “Okay, you mean no as in not yes?” “Yes” I bit my lower lip and then added “Sorry for the confusion. I just want to pray about it first. You know the first line of action for any believer…” “Is to pray” he said, alongside me, turning my hands in his “How did you know I would say that?” I asked with a look of surprise on my face. “Well, you’ve said it before, on the first day we met. You made me worry less and pray more. I’m very grateful to God I met you that day.” “Oh wow, I don’t even remember” I said with a small smile. He fiddled with my fingers and said “So you will get back to me when you get an answer, right?” “Definitely” I answered and he finally let go of my hands. “Oh my, your hands aren’t soft at all” he said with a teasing smile. “I never told you they were. Didn’t you see the sign ‘Hold at your own risk’?” I responded and he snickered. “Very good. Can I hold again?” “No way! Mr. Hamilton, go pick up Tyler and we shall meet at the reception.” “Yes, madam” he replied. I shook my head and walked away. I was on my way to greet some of the other patients when I saw Dr. Bunmi Davies. She and Dr. Doris Hepkins are two of the most skilled doctors in the hospital and even among other doctors from other hospitals. Our doctors here are very good though. She is married and has a kid. We exchanged pleasantries and she asked after Maddy. “Humm, she said she will be late though but she should be here soon” I replied but she didn’t look too convinced. The whole hospital knows we are very close so if I were her, I wouldn’t be too convinced either. Just as she was about to talk, Nurse Precious, but Prexious as we all call her, interrupted our discussion. “Sorry to interrupt your discussion mas, but we got an emergency call. I was asked to inform you that two patients are being brought in an ambulance.” “Alright, thank you.” Dr. Bunmi said to the nurse and she left. Turning to me, she said “Don’t go yet, I may need your help. In fact, come with me.” We walked past the reception and I saw Tyler run to me. “Hey honey” I ruffled his hair “Mommy’s got to work to do. Leave with daddy. I’ll come visiting later” he pouted his lips and I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled and I watched him bounce to Brent who’s now staring at me. I gave him a brief smile and I left to catch up with Dr. Bunmi outside. The ambulance approached and I thought in my mind just who the unfortunate one is today. I hope whatever it is ends up a success.
Episode 6
KENNIE “Just shut up! Shut your trap! And listen well now, remove the wool in your ears. I, Kenneth Bryon will never be yours again. Put that in your thick skull” I dropped the phone and put my two hands on my face. “Lord, Maddy, make her listen, make her understand. We have gone too far, Lord” I prayed before my phone rang again. I picked up without checking the screen, thinking it was Rita and wanted to scream into it before I heard a different voice. “Good Morning, Ken. This is Tessie” the person on the other end said. I breathed out, scared already. Maddy had promised to stop our wedding plans and now, this is Tess, our wedding planner calling. “Hey Tess. Morning. What’s up?” I said, trying to sound neutral. “I’m good. I tried your number severally but it didn’t go through” “Oh, sorry for that. The phone was probably off already” I replied, trying to calm myself. “Maddy called last night. She told me to cancel all wedding plans.” I huffed. “She was even so serious about it that she said she will compensate me for my stress.” I sighed again. “It’s just two months to your wedding. Let me make it more realistic. You have eight weeks between being single and being married. What in the heavens is wrong with you two?” she shouted and I took the phone away from my ears a bit. Tess is a friend to both Maddy and me. She was my very close friend in secondary school. In fact, most people thought we would date but we weren’t romantically inclined. She was the fellowship president and I was the assistant in our last year but we lost contact after then and got separated. It happened that she, Maddy and Nancy met in the university and became friends. She is much closer to Nancy than to Maddy though. When I later met Nancy, I met her too. I even met those two before Maddy. The thing is, Tess carries the problems of her friends like they are hers. She behaves like a mummy and now she is practically scolding me. Aarghh! “I don’t even know what to do. The thing is…” I sighed and fell silent. “Is what? Better spill right now, Kenneth Bryon!” she shouted again. “You see, Tess” I sighed again and mustered the courage to speak. “You remember Rita?” I asked. “That devil of a girl you dated briefly in SS1 that I clearly remember I warned you not to date?” There she goes. She told me then she will clearly remind me when I start regretting it that she told me not to date her. She should’ve just become a lawyer. She has a very good memory, just that it’s being used against me right now. “Yes, what happened to her?” she asked when I fell silent. “Did she…” she hesitated “Did she cause any ruckus?” “Yes, she did” I replied. “Spill” “While you travelled to the US, I met her again. She was the agent sent by a company we had deals with to our office. She no longer looked like the old Rita and she even told me she was engaged to be married. I was sincerely happy for her and we exchanged numbers. Later on, I told Maddy about her and we all got along well. She later introduced me to Abigail, her fiancé’s younger sister. Abby and Maddy had good relations.” I said and fell silent again. “Continue” Tess urged. “She and I met often and Maddy started getting worried but I calmed her that we were only working together for some time, so after a while, we won’t have to meet so frequently any longer. She got calm, but after a while, Maddy got incessantly troublesome. I told Nancy and she promised to talk to her” “Okay” “So yesterday, Maddy and I were meant to have a date so I planned to leave work early. Rita dropped by my office unexpectedly so I wanted to dismiss her fast. I was checking the documents she brought but when I was done and raised my head up, Rita was almost totally undressed before me. She was in just underwear and…” “Ohh myyy” Tessie drawled. “So, what happened? Don’t tell me you…” “No I didn’t” I interrupted her. She took a deep breath in relief. “Thanks bro. I love the God in you” I smiled a little. That’s Tess’s way of saying ‘I love you’ to every hooked guy. She says her hair doesn’t grow fast, she can’t afford to have all uprooted by any ‘high’ lady. She cracks me up most times with that. “This is now the real problem. You know of this saying ‘When temptation calls you on the phone…’” “…don’t argue with it, just hang up” Tess said with me. “You’re very right. So, what did you do?” “I didn’t even wear my shoe, I just fled to the door but as I wanted to turn the door knob, it opened and Maddy walked in” “Oops. Aish! Bad, very very bad” “Exactly. Maddy didn’t even wait, she just stormed away. She didn’t open the door for me so I turned back after a while. I’ve been unable to reach her since then. I called Nancy and she went to her house early this morning. I called her too but she said she said she’s still speaking to her. You also know Maddy can be very stubborn when it comes to issues like this. I just don’t know, Maddy wasn’t meant to be at the office. I planned to pick her up at home and…” “Wait!” Tess said suddenly and I flinched. Her voice is really loud. “You say Maddy wasn’t meant to be at the office. Don’t you think this was a set-up? I don’t think all of it is a coincidence. By the way, what did Rita do?” “Hmm. I just told my secretary to lock the office whenever Rita came out and to ensure she doesn’t leave with anything in the office. Rita kept apologizing that she didn’t mean it and it’s because her boyfriend left her blabla. She’s just the devil’s accomplice sent to destroy me” “Silly person. If not because Ray has been kicking sense into me, I would call her stupid. I have the urge to say ‘I told you then’ but I won’t” “You already have, lady” “Whatever” “What are the things Maddy said out of annoyance?” she asked again. “She was very angry. She was shouting at me and crying at the same time. She said she would call the cops on me. She said she couldn’t believe it until she saw it with…” I trailed off. Oh My! “I told ya!” Tess said like she won a jackpot. “I was set up. Wait!” I shouted and even I flinched. I never knew I could shout like that. “What?” Tess shouted back. That girl ehnn. “My secretary was trying to tell me about some other woman.” “Haha!” Tess shouted again. Ray will really have to get earmuffs to live healthily with her after their marriage. “Maybe she’s Rita’s accomplice who brought Maddy.” “Thanks Tess. You are a darling” I said into the phone as I went to pick my sandals. “You mean the God in me?” she asked, laughing. “Toor, all of you combined jare” I said, joining in the laughter. “I’ve got to get my wife back. She should be at the hospital. Wish me well” I picked up my car keys. “God’s best and journey mercies.” I cut the call and went out, praying in my mind that Maddy listens to me and gets convinced I’m innocent in all this mess.
Episode 7
LET ME FIRSTLY DISH THIS ONE BEFORE I TALK. Kennie put his phone on speaker in his car and dialed his secretary’s number. She picked up after the third beep “Hello Jenny, good morning” “Good morning sir. How do you do?” “How do you do?” he replied. “Uhh Jenny, sorry I was a bit harsh yesterday. Hope you are not too offended” “Not at all sir. I understand. Hope the disagreement has been settled” she asked in a concerned tone. “Not yet. That is the main reason I’m calling. I need your help” “I will love to render. How can I help sir?” “You were telling me about a woman that came with my fiancée yesterday” “Yes sir. A woman came with her but didn’t finally come with her to my desk” “How did you now see them?” “Actually sir, your fiancée has been around for some minutes before she finally came in. I saw her outside with a woman talking. She seemed restless. It looked like the woman was keeping her from coming. It was when I went to get tea from the nearby shop that I saw them but they didn’t see me, maybe because I entered with the crowd” “Waohh” he said as he turned a corner. “Okay Jen. Do you recognize the woman? Or can you at least describe her?” “Not really sir. She wore a scarf but let me try with the description. She’s fair, not as tall as Miss Maddy but almost as tall. She’s plump too” Ken sighed. He couldn’t tell who the lady was from the vague description but at least he has a hint. “Thanks Jen. You’ve really helped out a lot. You’re the best” “And you are also the best sir. Thank God. Please settle the issue on time, I’m craving party jollof o” she replied with laughter. “Abi. Prepare for it. Ooh and cancel all my appointments for the day. Attend to the ones you can, like the one with Miss Bridget” “Okay sir, no problem. God help you sir. Have a lovely day” “Amen. And you too” he replied and cut the call. Plump, moderately tall, fair, should be an accomplice of Rita. He thought over and over in his mind. Could it be…Abigail? Abigail is plump, moderately tall and fair. But what would be Abigail’s motive? She is Rita’s in-law and Maddy’s friend. “This is so twisted!” he said, confusion evident in his voice. He parked and dialed Nancy’s number, put the phone on speaker and continued to drive. Nancy picked up after the first beep. “Hey Nancy, how are you?” “Ken. I’m good. You?” “Same. Did Maddy listen to you?” “Not at all. I left after she insulted me plenty o. I was even thinking you may be with her. She’s not yet at the hospital” “Waohh, this situation is getting uglier. I’m not with her o. I’ve even passed her house now” he said, looking out the window. “There’s traffic obstruction here o and I’m close to the hospital” “That’s strange” Nancy replied. “Anyway, do you know who Maddy was with yesterday morning before the incident? I’m thinking…” he was interrupted by a knock on his glass. “Well, I don’t really know but I heard her mention…” “Sorry, Nancy. I’ll call you later. Don’t be annoyed” he said as he wind down his glass. “Okay, it’s cool” Nancy said and he hung up. He turned to the man knocking on the glass pane. “Please help us sir” the man said, pointing forward with his left hand. Ken looked confused. “We need a car, we can’t get the ambulance and people aren’t willing to help. Please help us sir” “Okay, let me see” Ken said and got down from his car. He followed the man and pushed through the multitude of people standing at the scene of the accident. He finally got to the scene and the sight made him gasp. “Maddy?!” he shouted and knelt beside the unconscious lady. “You know her?” the man asked “Yes, she’s my fiancée. I was on my way to see her at the hospital. Oh My God!” his voice shook as tears rolled down his cheeks. “What a small world” the man said in disbelief. “Oya carry her” he said to Ken while he and another man carried the bike man, then the car driver into Kennie’s car. God, don’t let Maddy die Kennie prayed over and over in his mind as he stepped on the accelerator.
Episode 8
NANCY “The patient has been taken to the mortuary” I told Dr. Doris. “Her properties?” “They’ve been given to Nurse Prexious. She already called the numbers on the phone found in her bag. One person picked and she is already on her way” my phone beeped in my pocket again. After receiving Ken’s call, I put it on vibration. “Okay,” she sighed. “You’ve done well” she said and left. The patient gave up the ghost just few minutes after the ambulance dropped them while the second patient is being attended to by Dr. Bunmi. I felt a prick when she did but that’s just life. Plus, I am kind of used to it. No one sees people dying more than hospital workers; especially doctors and nurses. I picked my phone from my pocket, only to see I have missed three calls from Ken. What could be wrong? I muttered to myself. Just as I was about dialing his number, his call came in again and I picked up. “Hello Ken, what’s up?” I heard a voice shout ‘she has picked up’ and then some shuffling. “Hello Nancy” Ken said. He sounds quite shaken. “What is it? Why are you…?” “We are almost at the hospital” he interrupted. “Please come with out with the doctor. Maddy was involved in an accident” he said and I gasped. “Okay, you’ll meet me” I replied and hanged up. I was transfixed at a point, trying to absorb and process the information when I heard someone call my name. “Nancy, what is it?” I looked up to see Brent looking at me worriedly. That was when my brain finished processing the information. “Dr. Bunmi” I said “No, Dr. Doris. I have to get Dr. Doris” I repeated and ran for her office, leaving Brent confused. *** Kennie’s car pulled in in front of the hospital; some nurses and Dr. Pelumi came with three stretchers. Maddy, the bike man and the driver were carried with the stretcher into the Emergency Room. Kennie thanked the two men who in turn left him words of prayer and left. He afterwards sighted Nancy and went to meet her. “How did it happen?” Nancy asked with a shaky voice. “I don’t know. Those two men that just left witnessed the accident though” he replied and they both got silent. Nancy sat down on a seat while Ken stood and paced about. After some minutes, Dr. Doris came out of the ER and approached them. Nancy sprung up from her feet and she and Ken drew closer. “Doctor” “Ken, what happened?” “I wasn’t there but the men who were there said that the car hit them from behind.” “Okay, we have been able to stabilize her breathing and stop the bleeding. She’ll need a CT scan to determine how severe her injuries are” “See Doctor, do anything, I consent. So far it will make her get better” Ken said in despair. “Okay, thanks” Dr. Doris said and called Nancy aside. “I didn’t want to say this in the presence of her fiancé but she has lost a lot of blood. She was also terribly injured. Do you know her blood group?” “Oh My God” Nancy said under her breath. “Yes, she’s AB” “Are you sure? You know we cannot afford to make mistakes or should we check her chart? Just that it will…” “I’m definite, Doctor” Nancy interrupted. “Okay, that’s good” she turned to leave but Nancy called her back. “What about the bike man and the driver?” “Luckily, the bike man only had some fractures, though not minor but it wasn’t at the thigh muscle so he is still okay. He fainted due to the shock but he’s being resuscitated. He’ll be good.” Nancy nodded. “The driver?” “He is in a coma. I’ve told Nurse Prexious to try the numbers found on his phone so we can get across to his relations” “Wow” she said distractedly. “What about Maddy?” “After the tests, we’ll know for sure but I think…” she hesitated. “What do you think, doctor?” Nancy asked, fear written all over her. “I think she has a severe head injury, just let us do the scan first to know which it is” Nancy took a deep breath and swallowed audibly. “So she will definitely need a surgery. Just let me help whenever” “No, you can’t. Your adrenaline level is very high right now. Plus, who will stay with her fiancé?” “Okayy” Nancy drawled. Dr. Doris gave a tight smile, held her shoulder tight briefly and left.
Episode 9
What did the doctor say?” Ken asked “She asked for her blood group” “That’s all?” “No. she told me the bike man had some fractures but thankfully, it’s not so bad but the driver is in a coma” He gasped and pressed his lips together. “What about Maddy?” “They can’t tell till the test results are out but she will be fine.” “Okay, I believe so. How long will that take?” “Nothing less than thirty minutes” Nancy said and went to sit. “It may be over thirty minutes”. Patting her side, she said “Come and sit down. Your standing won’t do anything. We have to be strong for her” Ken hesitated a bit, then sat down. “The only profitable thing we can do now is to pray Ken, not worry” “Yes” he breathed in. “Thanks Nancy” he said and gave a small smile. *** A lady walked out of a beautiful house, put off her shoes at the door and started to walk barefooted. She met a man at the door who followed her as she walked on. She hit her foot against a stone and yelped. “Won’t you say sorry?” she asked, not waiting “That you put off your beautiful shoes?” he asked “It’s none of your business” “Well, you wanted me to interfere by saying sorry” She hissed and kept walking. After few minutes of silence, “Where am I going?” she asked, facing the man beside her. “Why are you facing me? You asked yourself the question though” the man said “But I don’t know, I’m just going” she said in a confused manner “Well, you don’t but you do” “That’s the silliest answer I’ve heard in a while” “Your question is also the silliest I’ve heard in a while” “Pfft” she said and walked on briskly *** IN THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE, AFTER FIFTY MINUTES Ken put his hands on his face as tears trickled down his fingers while Nancy put her hands on her knees, rocking back to and fro on the chair. “Since it’s been discovered early, the morbidity rate has been reduced” Dr . Doris said and continued “Thank God Dr. Henry is available”. Facing Ken, she said “He’s the best Neurosurgeon we have here” “Okay, you can carry on with the surgery” Nancy said. “He will sign the document” she added. Dr. Doris brought out the document and gave it to Ken. He took the biro on her table and signed it. “Doctor,” Ken said “Please do your best to make this surgery a success” “I will do all that I can do, I pray God does only what He can do” she said “Amen” Ken replied and they all left the office. “Nancy,” Ken called as they walked “What is the depressed skull fracture about? And the Intra-whatever?” “Depressed fracture” she said and they sat down. “It’s a severe head injury. It means some part of her skull is crushed inwards because of the fall from the motorcycle. According to the result shown from the CT scan, it’s the frontal lobe” “Okay, what about the intra-thing?” “Intracranial hematoma?” she asked and he nodded “Intra-thing indeed” she said and they both smiled a bit. “Well,” she continued “it is accumulation of blood within the brain. Here, I think it’s epidural hematoma. Now, before you ask, it’s just a type of Intracranial hematoma” “Okay, I wasn’t going to ask though” he said and she gave him a look. “So, what will the doctors do during the surgery?” “They drain the accumulated blood, remove the pieces of bone pressed inward and return the skull to its original position maybe with mesh or metal wire.” “It sounds easy but I know it’s a lot of work. How do you people even do these things?” he said . Nancy smiled “I pray the surgery goes straight. May there be no complications” “Amen”
Episode 10
“I don’t know where I’m going, I don’t know where I am, I don’t know who I am with” she ranted on as she walked. She saw a wooden house, walked towards it and opened the door. Not waiting for the man, she closed it, locked it with a padlock and held the key . The man waited by the door, holding a small scroll. She walked into the house, looked around like she was searching for something. After a while, she walked back towards the door. “I can’t find anyone” she said “Because you are the only one there” the man replied “Why? Why isn’t anyone here?” “Why? Why did you leave where everyone was?” the man asked in reply The lady breathed in but kept silent. After a while, she talked “Why aren’t you even coming in?” “Because you locked me outside, Madison” *** MADDY I don’t understand. Why isn’t Nancy here? We only fought, is she now taking it personally? “So where is Nancy?” I asked the man “In the beautiful house you left for here” This doesn’t make any sense “Why am I here then? It’s not as beautiful as there” I complained “Because you choose to be” he said “But I don’t want to be here” “Then, choose not to be” I took the key and unlocked the door . Then I tried to open it but it didn’t open. I hit it with my hand, with my body, but it didn’t budge. “The door is not opening” I said “It’s not just about saying it, you have to purpose in your heart. You only want to leave here because it’s not beautiful, not because of any other thing.” “Wait, will Kennie be there?” “Sure” the man answered “I’m not going then” I said and sat at the door. *** Tess alighted from her car and walked to the reception. As she walked, a woman suddenly hit her from behind and she almost fell, if not for a man that held her from falling. The woman barely mumbled a sorry before she continued her race. “Are you okay?” the man asked her “Yes” she replied. Putting herself together, she got out of his arms. “Thank you very much. I appreciate it sir” “You’re welcome. I’m Brent” “Tess” she replied. ‘Nice to meet you” “Same here. See you sometimes and thanks for the help” he smiled and they both went their way. Tess looked around a while and when she couldn’t find very familiar faces, she picked up her phone and dialed Ken’s number. “Oh boy, I’m at the hospital. Where are you?” she said all at once the moment he picked up. “I’m also at the hospital. You just wait at the reception, I’ll be there now” “Okay, I’m waiting” she hung up and put her phone in her bag. “The hospital seems very lively, only God knows how many people will die or live. Hospitals drive me insane. If not for Maddy, I won’t be here at all. She will get a handful of words from me for bringing me here, really” Tess thought within herself as she patiently waited for Ken. *** SOME MINUTES AFTER KENNIE “Eii Jesus!” Tess shouted “Shh shh” I put a finger over my lips and smiled apologetically at the people who turned to face our direction because of the living microphone before me. “Okay okay,” she said, bringing her voice low “you mean our Maddy is in the OR right now?” “Yeah” “No wonder you look distraught, disorganized, terrible and all sweaty” she shook her head and hung it low. “Do you ever pass a chance to insult me?” I smiled a bit, looking ‘even more terrible’ in her language “Never” she replied, looking up. “Now you look more terrible. I like it” she said, smiling back. After smiling for a while, we continued walking in small strides. I must admit, smiling right now felt good. Even though I hardly tell her, she’s awesome the way she is. We have a bond deeper than that of besties, though we never admit it. “Are her injuries fatal?” “Yeah, the doctor said she has depressed skull fracture accompanied by Intracranial hematoma” “Meaning?” she asked confusedly. “Some part of her…” I was cut off by a sudden hit from behind me.
Episode 11
BRENT I feel so uneasy, like I should go back to the hospital. But then, I just left and won’t I seem like a pest to her? But I really want to go back. I looked at my son walking beside me with his right hand stylishly in his pocket. He’s made friends with all the female patients in the hospital. How exactly did Anna raise him that he’s so…? I rolled my eyes inwardly. “Tyler” “Yes daddy” “Will you go to Aunt Meredith’s today? I’ll come pick you up in the evening” “Uhmm” he rolled his head rightwards and leftwards, then his face suddenly brightened up. “Will Julie and Judith be there?” “Yes, they should be. So, is that a yes?” “Nope” he replied popping the P “What now?” “Why do you want to drop me off at Aunt Meredith’s?” Oh, this boy! Why exactly is he so smart? I looked at him to see him batting his long lashes at me. “Because… because I have something to do with Nurse Nancy. Satisfied?” I gave him my winning smile. “Nope” he replied again, pursing his lips. “Ooh, Tyler, what do you want?” I rest my back against the car. “Ice Cream?” “Nah” “Chocolate?” “Nah” “What then?” I asked, exasperatedly “Bring Mommy Nancy when you are coming” he said, flashing his gap-toothed teeth and dimples. Now, can I resist that? No . Even if I have to drag Nancy, we must both go pick him up. Plus, it’s an advantage on my side. Ooh, God bless Tyler. “Consider it done” I said and he jumped up. “Good. Now, let’s go.” He said, like he’ll be driving us. I shook my head with a small smile playing on my lips. Ooh, how I love my son, very delightful. I turned on the ignition and inserted the USB. Music started to play and I drove off. After few minutes, Tyler called and I reduced the volume of the music. “Daddy” “Yes, son?” “Are you really finally making Mommy Nancy my mommy?” I’m so done! *** After explaining in simple terms how I plan to make Mommy Nancy his mommy, Tyler finally got it and promised to help out. I know he’s wonderful, can just sometimes be a handsome thorn in my beautiful flesh. I dropped him off at my sister’s and finally left after explaining the reason I had to drop Tyler off with her and her troublesome twins. He’s just +1 trouble, why was she almost collapsing? I dared not say that in her presence though. I got down from the car and headed into the hospital before I caught a lady who was just about to fall. I got to know her name is Tess. Well, I got to find Nancy fast, I can’t find her where she is… “There she is” I said in my mind and my face brightened. She looks really tired and weary. She looked that way in the morning but not this bad. I slid in beside her and she looked confused for a moment “Weren’t you gone…” she demonstrated with her right hand “with Tyler?” “Yes, I dropped him off at his aunt’s” I said absent-mindedly, staring deep into her eyes. “Stop that” she scolded like a mum and turned away, drinking the water she held in her hands. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Something is certainly wrong” “Everything is fine” she said and disposed the bottle of water as we walked on. “Don’t lie to me, it’s written all over your face.” “I’m not lying to you” we turned a corner “I’m declaring by faith” “Okay okay, I get it. Now, tell me, what is up then?” I asked and she fell silent. “You can trust me, I have sealed lips” She sat down, still not responding. I sat beside her “I can’t bear seeing you like this, at least let me share in your…” “Maddy is there right now” she interrupted and pointed to a room before us. I looked at the room she pointed to. My eyes widened and I turned to look at her. *** MADDY It’s like these people just don’t get it. What type of business should I have with Kennie? What type? If he’ll be there, I’ll rather stay here. It’s getting darker here and I’m a bit scared, though I don’t want to admit it. “Hey” I called out. “Are you still there?” “Yeah. Anything the matter?” “Is it threatening to rain out there? It’s getting dark here and I hear thunder.” “Not at all. Everywhere is as clear as crystal here” “Then why is it dark and turbulent here?” “Because it’s not where you’re meant to be” “Then, why am I here?” “Humm, well, you see, you should know why” he answered and I slumped into the darkness evolving.
Episode 12
SO LET’S CHOOSE BRENCY. EHN, I HAVE A SPECIAL LIKING FOR BRENCY. THIS IS FOR ALL YOU SILENT READERS, I LOVE YOU SMALL (sticking my tongue out hehehe) OYA LET’S GO OOO. ENTER THE BUS! “What happened?” Brent asked Nancy who kept shaking her head, tears running down her face. He placed his hands on her shoulder, facing her. “Talk to me, I’m here” he said, staring into her eyes. She calmed down a bit and began to talk. “You were right, I wasn’t really myself this morning” . She used her left hand to wipe her face. Brent offered her his handkerchief and she took it. “Thank you” she mumbled. “Continue” he urged her. “We had a fight this morning. She and Ken had a disagreement so Ken called me last night but it was very late so I went to her house early this morning” “Ken, her fiancé, right?” Brent asked “Yeah” she answered and continued. “As per Ken’s wishes I tried to talk to her but she insisted on calling off the wedding” “Ah ah, is it that serious?” Brent interrupted, a surprised look on his face. “It is o. Maddy strongly believes that Ken cheated on her and did not even give him any chance to explain himself.” “Waoh, it really is serious . But from what I’ve heard about that guy, I don’t think he could do that sha” “Exactly” Nancy said in an almost-shout. “The guy explained everything to me. I know that he didn’t, but his fiancée says she is done with him. Funny thing, she said she was expecting it.” “Wow! Sorry to say, but I think she is very insecure” Brent said, putting his hand on his chin. “Don’t be sorry, she is” Nancy said with a sigh. “Were you now able to persuade her?” “Well, that was my ambition for going there but I wasn’t able to do that. Maddy insulted me that I am in no place to advise her because I’ve never been in any serious relationship with a man.” “Oh My God!” Brent exclaimed. “Now, that’s really not fair. Aren’t you two best friends? Even if you weren’t, it’s really insulting” Nancy snorted “We kuku are o. she usually playfully jokes with it and it never disturbed me but today, I felt like she mocked me and it so hurt me that I just carried my bag and left her house” “And that’s when you came to the hospital?” “Yes” Nancy answered “No wonder” Brent said, almost in a whisper “No wonder what?” Nancy asked “No wonder you looked unhappy” Brent replied and silence fell between them for a while. “Ken brought her injured in his car” she continued. “He said he was on his way here when a man compelled him in a traffic obstruction to pick up the injured people and one of the three turned out to be Maddy” “Wow, three?” He asked “Yes” she answered. “She was involved in a motorcycle accident, so she, the bike man and the car driver were all rushed in” Brent sighed. “I just wish I hadn’t left her home. I wished I had stayed back and withstood her insults. Maybe I would’ve convinced her to let us trek or take a cab. Maybe she wouldn’t have been involved in the accident. Maybe…” Brent interrupted her rant by enveloping her in a hug. She hugged him back and cried on his shoulder. He hugged her more tightly. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Forget about the assumptions. There is absolutely nothing you could’ve done about it. Let’s trust God to do the best and pray He preserves her life so she can apologise to you and end the misunderstanding with Ken” “You look beautiful all the time, even when you cry but my dear, I don’t like the sight” Brent added and elicited a little smile from her. He rubbed her back soothingly and she relaxed on his shoulder. They both stayed like that for a while before they were scattered by the voice of someone panting. *** MADDY Why am I here? The question reverberated in my mind. Why am I really here? “Everyone I meet seem to hurt me in one way or the other. None of them really make happiness last a long time” I told the man, still seated on the floor. “Happiness can’t last a long time without joy.” The man said exasperatedly “So I am not happy because I am not joyful?” “Exactly” “You don’t sound joyful either. You sound tired and weary” “Your misery doesn’t make me happy” he said, almost immediately. “What’s your business with me by the way? Plus, I’m not in misery” I said defensively. “Are you not?” he asked in a more tired tone. “Am I?” I asked and before I could receive any reply, the darkness got even thicker.
Episode 13
“Ah-ah” Ken said as he regained his balance. “Na wa for some people o” “Wait, that is the same woman that hit me some moments ago” Tess said beside me. “Really?” “Yeah, thanks to one Brent that saved me. This,” she pointed at her face “that you’re crushing on could’ve been badly crushed” “Ugh, who is crushing on that your—” Ken was interrupted by Tess. “Shush shhhhh” she said, putting a finger to her mouth “Just thank God it wasn’t damaged” “Thank God” Ken said exaggeratedly. “Good boy” Tess patted him on the back. *** “Hello” a woman said and moved closer to the now scattered duo. “Hi” Brent replied while Nancy just stared at the woman. “Are you relatives of a woman who was rushed in a while ago with a bike man and a driver?” the woman asked Brent and Nancy exchanged glances then Nancy answered “Yes, how may we help you?” “Oh, ehmm” the woman shifted her stance a couple times. “I’m…” she hesitated a bit. “I’m the wife of the driver who hit your relative” she finally said. *** “Allow me make I see him na, no be my husband?” a woman clad in a wrapper shouted in frustration. “Please calm down, you’ll see him, not just yet” a nurse said to her. “Eeh, hope e no be like say my husband don die and you dey fool me for here?” The nurse smiled “No, not at all. The traffic in the hospital today is serious . Do you even know the number of people that were rushed in with your husband?” “No, dem plenty?” she asked “Two people were rushed in with him. You should be thankful to God because he is the least injured” the nurse replied. “Aaah, Baba Risi pami ooo” she shouted. “Huh?” the nurse stared in confusion. “You no understand?” she asked “No” the nurse said and shook her head in the negative. “Haa okay. I don dey tell am say make he no carry two for back again, the road no good for that. I definite say na two he carry and na so the accident happen” “Ooh” the nurse said “that’s actually not what happened” “Ehnehn, wetin happen?” “The bike was hit from the back by a car. The driver, your husband and his passenger were all rushed in” “Aaah” Another nurse walked in “You may now come in, ma’am” she said and left. “Eeh thank you o” the woman said to the nurse. “I pray him speedy recovery ma” the nurse said “Amen oo” the woman said and the nurse smiled a bit as she left. *** “So, what were you saying about the depression?” Tessie asked “Not depression,” Ken sighed in frustration “It’s depressed skull…” “Whatever whatever” Tessie dismissed the talk with a wave of her hand. “None of it is alright anyway. So, what is it about?” she asked “Some part of her skull is crushed inwards and…” “Ewww, say no more!” Tessie exclaimed “Oh My Father, this is frustrating” Kennie said and sighed. “It’s sha better than you being expressionless and looking like a faithless creature” “Well…, let’s go o. I left only Nancy there” Kennie said and started walking. “See, you can’t argue it” Tessie said and ran to catch up with him. They walked on for few minutes and could already see Nancy from some distance. “How come there are three people there now?” Kennie muttered. “Well, a supernatural increase” she said and gasped “Could they be angels that have come to save Maddy?” “Hunhun. An angel in black jeans and a female angel in Ankara top?” Kennie replied and she hissed. “Did the angels in the Bible come naked?” she asked him. “See, na you sabi. I have heard you” As they walked closer, Tessie faced Ken. “Oh! That man looks like the man I said saved me”
Episode 14
NANCY “You’re who?” I heard Brent ask the woman before us. “I’m the wife of the driver that hit your relative. I’m really very sorry for the havoc he wrecked” she replied with a remorseful look. I blinked once, then twice. “Have you heard anything about your husband? Have you seen the doctor?” I finally opened my mouth to speak and Brent looked at me. The woman, in blue jeans and Ankara jacket, was about to speak but was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. We all moved our heads towards the direction of the sound, and I saw Ken and Tessie, intently gazing. “Aren’t you the man who saved me some moments ago?” Tessie asked Brent and I turned to look at him. “I am” Brent replied “It’s nice to see you again” “Yes, it is” she replied. “Nancy, hope you’re not mad I left you all alone . You know what it’s like being with Tess” Ken said and sat down exhaustedly. “No jare, better person . Sebi Tessie no fit greet again” I said. “Did I just hear Nancy’s voice?” Tessie asked, pretending to look around. She finally looked in my direction. “There you are” she said “how come I never noticed you?” I shook my head and faced Brent. “Brent, meet Ken” I pointed to Ken and said “Maddy’s fiancé” They exchanged pleasantries. “Well, you already know Tessie, the originator of Trouble and Terror, T&T” I said and both Ken and Brent snickered. “So, we should meet Brent, Brent who?” Tessie asked and I shot her a glare. “Brent Hamilton” I replied. “The father of Tyler, who was my patient. He was…” “We aff hear o, Mama Speaker” Tessie said “Only God knows how you passed your medical or nursing exams or whatever they are called, ordinary question you cannot answer correctly” I rolled my eyes and the rest of the people snickered again. “Tessie, it aff do. Thank you very much ehn” I said. Ken moved closer to me as Brent and Tessie talked some more. “So, who’s the woman?” he asked in a whisper. “I’ll let her introduce herself” I whispered back. I cleared my throat to gain everyone’s attention. “Ma’am, sorry but please introduce yourself again. We are all just in attendance” I said and the look on Ken is really the pure definition of curiosity. “Ooh” the woman said and curled her fists. I just wondered how I would feel if I were in her shoes. God forbid though. “I am…” she hesitated a bit, breathed out and then said “I am the wife of the driver who hit the motorcycle that your relative was on” *** MADDY “Why is this place getting darker?” I asked him. “What are your main concerns?” he asked me. What are my concerns? I feel hurt, very very hurt. “I feel very hurt. Jimmy left me and impregnated someone else. I felt like the ground should open and swallow me. Then, Kennie came and wanted to do the exact same thing. Am I just meant to watch him shame me?” I said, all at once. “Hun, you have a problem. No, many of them” the man said and I got angry. I have a problem? After all I’ve said, I’m the one with the problem? “This is exactly why I left you all” I said, anger blaring from my entire body. “You never try to understand, you just pass judgment. You never seek to get any other person’s point of view except yours. That is the main reason I left” “Good of you” he said and it shocked me. “Good of me? What’s good of me in all I have stated?” “You’ve done something good” he said again “And what is that?” I asked “You have finally been able to highlight your own problem”
Episode 15
KENNIE Did I hear her correctly? She is the wife of the man that hit my Maddy? “You are the wife of the car driver?” I asked her “Yes, I am so sorry for the trouble my husband has caused your relative. I came to apologise for that” she said. I take a good look at her, she looks good but her eyes are swollen and a bit red. “Have you seen the doctor?” Nancy asked her worriedly and I casted a glance at her. “I have” she said and Nancy exchanged glances with me. She smiled sadly “I guess you already know by the look on your faces. The doctor told me what happened to your relative, so I deemed it fit to come apologise. I pray she survives it and wish her a speedy recovery” she said and moved to leave. “Wait” we all said together and looked at one another. “Wait” Nancy said “where are you going to now?” “I don’t know” the woman said, almost in a whisper and a lone tear ran down her cheek. She fumbled with her bag, probably looking for her handkerchief. “Uhmm, so sorry, I have to…” Tess interrupted her rant when she enveloped her in a hug, then Nancy followed. I just stood transfixed at the point I was. Why are there so many trage… I cut myself short in my mind . I had better not think that talk less of saying it. I felt a nudge on my arm and saw hmm, what’s his name? Yeah, Brent. “Are you okay?” he asked “Yes, I am” I replied him. “You don’t really look like you are though” he muttered. I smiled “I don’t really know what to feel, you see” “I understand” he said and silence fell between us for a while. “So, what’s between you and Nancy” I asked “Oh, uhmm” he replied, putting his hand to his head. Oops, I caught him off-guard. There seems to be some kind of glint in his eyes and he’s slightly blushing. “I actually…” he said “I really like her and I want to marry her” “Are you serious with her?” I asked with a sudden death glare. “I am of a high degree very serious with her. I was once married with a son but my wife died last year” “Oh,” I said and my expression softened “sorry for your loss” “Thank you” he said. “I’ve not seen any other woman like her since then, until I met Nancy. I hope she will consider me” “She should, I think you are manageable” I punched him playfully on the shoulder and he faked pain. “Oh no, I won’t help you, you are weak” I laughed and he joined me in the laughter. I looked forward to see Nancy and Tess speaking in hushed voices to the woman whose name we didn’t even ask. “She’s a good woman” I said and Brent nodded in approval. *** MADDY My own problem? What exactly is this man saying now? “You do not seek to understand others. You only listen to yourself and yourself alone. You don’t care about what others feel. You do not feel people deserve a second chance or mercy, yet you seek forgiveness from God. People should be condemned, but you, justified. You speak harshly to others regardless of who they are but you think you deserve to be always pampered and treated like a sovereign queen” he said at once. “Well,” he added “I have only buttressed your points” “I am not like that, not even a bit” I shouted. “There you go again. Did you even think about all I’ve said at all before responding in defence of yourself?” No. I answered in my mind. But I’m not like that, am I? Am I? People have always told me that only God knows how Nancy and I are really best friends. When they found out that Nancy is two years older, they were astonished and even called her a fool. I never gave thought to it. Could they be right? Four months ago, Tessie accused me of insensitivity and told me I’m an insecure person and too egocentrical. She even said she would tell her brother i.e. Kennie not to marry me because I have serious issues, as she put it. I had got very mad and the fight lasted for a whole week before Nancy and Kennie finally settled it. Could she have been right? But even if they are all right, how does that apply to the issue on ground? Kennie was cheating on me, for goodness sake. Is it still about me? “Even if…” I said but the words were caught up in my throat as a lone tear ran down my cheeks, followed by another. “Even if these things are true, how do they justify the fact that Kennie is cheating on me? Should he do that to me because of some attitudes?” “Did he cheat on you?” he asked me “Didn’t he?” I LOVE READING THE COMMENTS AND REPLYING SO KEEP LIKING, RATING AND COMMENTING. THEY MAKE ME HAPPY HUN
Episode 16
NANCY “Amen. You are really wonderful people” the woman said and I smiled. I took a glance to where Brent as meant to be but I didn’t see him there. I looked around to see him with Ken, smiling and talking about God-knows-what. He caught my eye and I detached my gaze from his . I still haven’t prayed and the last thing I want is a broken relationship. No, it’s not even on the list. Ken walked over to us and Brent followed. I think it’s better I avoid getting our eyes locked on each other for now. “I think there’s something we haven’t known still” Ken said and he seemed to have grabbed everyone’s attention because we’re all silent, even… Wait, what’s her name? “Ma’am, what’s your name?” Ken asked and Tessie sighed “So that’s what you wanted to ask?” she said with her ringtone voice “Oh Jesus” “Do you know?” Ken asked and Tessie snorted. “Yeah, you should tell us. I was just thinking of that” I contributed. “I’m sorry for that . My mind skipped it” the woman said “My name is Victoria and my husband is Jonathan Rees” “So you’re Victoria Rees?” Tessie asked and everyone sighed while the woman laughed “Most certainly” she answered “Nah, she should be Victoria Wheels” Kennie said and Tessie made faces at him. Soon enough, they started bickering. “Those two are hilarious” Victoria said “especially uhmm, the woman…” she snapped her fingers, trying hard to remember the name “Tessie” I helped out She snapped her fingers again “Yeah, Tessie” “Sorry, I don’t do well with names but I remember faces very vividly” she said with a smile. “No, it’s cool. The opposite is the case for me” I smiled back and could feel Brent’s eyes on me but refused to look in his direction. “Despite the situation right now, you people still manage to be so lively and hopeful. You’ve even infected me with the hope. How do you manage to not think…” “Hmm” I pursed my lips “we are all Christians, God-lovers, and let me also say it’s because we know our fate already” “I am a Christian too, but what fate is that? No one knows tomorrow” she replied “We know our fate because we know that all things work together for good for those that love God and we do wholeheartedly. We can only love Him more” I said “And we know we have a future” Brent said and I turned to look at him “because we know that His plans for us are of good, not and will never be of evil” he said as he moved to sit beside me “to give us a hope and a future” “And although we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we shall fear no evil” Kennie said “Because the Lord has made everything” Tessie said, stressing the last word for emphasis “I mean everything, to accommodate and to contribute to His purpose” “Wow” Victoria said Yes, wow. We hadn’t planned that and just see how it turned out. I don’t know if we were encouraging the woman or… No, God has spoken through us to encourage us. I look at everyone’s faces and I can see we’re all busy digesting those words for the present situation. After some moments, a smile starts to play on my lips. “Why didn’t I meet you people earlier?” Victoria says and we smile broader “To everything, there is a time and a season” Brent says from behind me and I turn to look at him. I soon realise I just made a mistake because I’m drowning in those eyes. HOPE SOMEONE GOT MINISTERED TO BY THE CHAPTER. I REALLY LOVE IT. I KNOW IT’S SHORT BUT IT’S BETTER THAN NOTHING ABI. LET ME KNOW YOUR MIND IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. THANKS DEARIES.
Episode 17
I’M FEELING LESS MOTIVATED. YET, I’LL GIVE THIS TO YOU. SO, IT’S ALL ABOUT MADDY TODAY. ENJOY! MADDY Did he not cheat on me? But I saw him, about to close the door on himself and Rita that was almost totally undressed in his office. “But if a man looks lustfully at another woman, he has already committed a sin. The act doesn’t have to be done” I said “Did he lust after her?” the man asked “Yes” “How do you know?” he asked almost immediately I responded “It just has to be so” I replied He sighed then answered “Not everything has to be the way you think it should be . In fact, if you have the right mind, you will know that your mentality is very wrong. Here, abnormality to the world is just normal” “You mean a man, a full grown man will see an almost-naked woman and not go gaga? Men, sir, are all the same” I said “No, the man in Christ is a new creation. You have heard that severally but never let it sink. If you were meant to do things just like every other person, there is no need for anyone to be set apart.” That reply sunk into me. But is it my fault that I’m thinking like this? Or is it, really? “You think the scripture’s emphasis on the renewal of mind was for play?” the man asked I guess it’s rhetorical . Nancy always said it, sometimes jokingly that I’m pessimistic. I used to say she’s too optimistic, that she would be taken advantage of. Tessie used to say I’m all shades of B/W that I’m terribly negative. Am I the one who’s always been wrong? “As a man thinketh, so is he” he said “How does that apply to me or my situation right now?” “Your thoughts tell who you are. You expected him to cheat on you before your wedding and so you opened a pathway for that to happen. By yourself, you brought an advantage for temptation and then accused him of falling, even when you didn’t” he said and I gulped. “You aren’t making an hedge around him, yet by your thoughts, you are breaking the edge he has prayerfully set around himself. While others are busy praying for their homes and families, you are busy thinking of how you will slap him and file him a divorce letter if you two manage to marry” Well, he’s right. I think of that most times. I even once thought I have enough money to stay on my own in case. But whose fault? That’s the trend these days. Men are largely irresponsible, so women have got to be independent. It’s one of the major reasons I work so hard. “Just like your body is built by what you eat, so your mind is built by what you take in. Your mind cannot be rightly renewed when you feed more on the world than the Word” I’m so done right now “Just like flies get attracted to dirt, the devil gets attracted to your dirty thoughts. You granted him free access” This was what Nancy was trying to tell me. This exactly. But I never listened, I was just so defensive of my actions. So Kennie never cheated on me, instead I allowed the devil to cheat me. I have to leave this place, I have to leave and find Kennie and Nancy. I have to apologise to them and develop a good relationship with them both and Tess. I have to apologise to Tess too. We aren’t so close because I once accused her of trying to snatch Kennie from me and drew a thin line between us that she wouldn’t dare to cross. I have to make amends. “I’m opening this door right now!” I shouted YAYY? KINDLY COMMENT COS YOUR COMMENTS GO A LONG WAY IN KEEPING ME HAPPY AND MOTIVATED. THANK YOU!
Episode 18
I KENTBELIFIT! Hahaha. EVEN I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M UPDATING TWICE IN A DAY, SO CLOSE BUT IT’S HAPPENING. YOUR COMMENTS BROUGHT THE MOTIVATION NI JARE. THIS IS FOR YOU ALL THAT COMMENTED ON THE LAST EPISODE AND TO MAKE UP FOR THE SHORT FORMER EPISODE. ENJOY! “So you studied law?” Ken asked “Yes, I’m not practising though” Victoria answered with a small smile “Waoohh, my crush course” Tessie said. “Every course is your crush course, Tessie” Nancy said “especially when someone you like or admire studies it” “Pfft” Tessie said and turned to Brent “She’s a wicked one” “I like her nonetheless” he replied “Aww, this is love” Tess cooed Ken shook his head and said to Victoria “Sorry, but our family isn’t so normal. It’s worse since we aren’t complete” “I love it” she replied . Then, with a darker and more sober expression, she said “She’ll be fine” “I believe it” he smiled “Someone already gave his life many many years ago to make it fine” Then she smiled too and said “Thank God” “Sooo,” Brent drawled “why in the world will you study a course like law and not practise it?” The question seemed to grab all of their attentions, especially Tessie’s and Ken’s “Uhmm” Victoria said, a bit uncomfortably “You may not answer if you don’t want to” Brent said hurriedly with a brief smile “No” she said “No, No, I will” Then she added, “I want to” “You see, it is one of the issues I’m battling with right now, one of those that landed my husband where he is, and I can’t help but feel a bit guilty,” she hesitated “like I put him there” *** “Please let him rest. Leave him for a while” the nurse who ushered her in the other time led her out. “Kunle, be good, you hear . Teniola and Arinola too will come, but you must do better than this, dey strong o. Ehn, oko mi” she kept talking as the nurse urged her to leave. “Sheri” the man on the hospital bed called as the nurse and the woman both approached the door The woman turned at the mention of her name and responded “Ehn, Ade ori mi” “No forget wetin we talk last o” the man said “I no go forget, I go yan you” the woman said, taking a last look at her husband and then stepped out of the room, alongside the nurse. They both walked in silence, except for the clattering sound of the woman’s slippers. The nurse got to her desk and aid her bye, but the woman had more to say, or rather, ask. “My husband tell me say he carry person for bike and na the same thing wey you tell me here before I enter go see am” she said and the nurse nodded. “Ehn, you also tell me say na my husband injury least of all wey injure” The nurse nodded again and replied “That’s right” “Ehn, the woman wey he carry for back, how she dey?” she asked. The nurse hesitated answering for a moment, then said “Her condition is very bad and critical. She’s in the theatre right now” The woman looked confused, then said “If her condition dey bad laidat, why she go dey for theatre? Them still dey use her condition do film?” The nurse looked lost for a moment then chuckled. “I’m sorry, not that kind of theatre. I mean the operating room” “Ooh!” the woman exclaimed. “Kai! Her condition critical true true” “Her family nko? You don get them already?” she asked “Yes, they are already around. Why do you ask though?” the nurse replied. “E dey do me like say I should greet them and wish them luck. Na the thing wey my husband too wan do” she replied “Okay, that’s good” the nurse said and described the location of Maddy’s operation room to the woman. “Thank you o, Nurse Titi” “How do you know my name?” the nurse asked in astonishment “The thing dey for your chest” she replied and smiled. The nurse smiled back and the woman left. “Weirdly, I wore this today.” The nurse thought and brushed her right thumb over the name plate on her coat. “I like her. She’s smart after all” she concluded, brought out a file from the drawer and started to study it.
Episode 19
TESSIE, hearing this woman’s story just makes me feel somehow, or maybe thankful. Looking at Ken’s face, I can tell he feels just as somehow. How can a man deter his woman from having normal relationships? A woman who has been living her life before he came, then suddenly he destroys the whole pattern of her life. She has even tried, as far as I’m concerned. “So you mean to say you graduated with a first-class but never practiced all you learnt? How… oh no” Nancy said in unbelief. “I knew he was overly protective and he was always jealous whenever he saw me go as close as shaking or hugging a guy while we were dating, I just never knew it was this bad then, you know?” Victoria replied
“Those were all the warning signs you ignored during courtship” Brent said. “I thought it was all because of his rough childhood
He told me how his father got down with hypertension after his mother abandoned them for another man. I felt bad for him so I condoned his excesses. His father is still alive and I dare not break this kind of news to him if I don’t want to plan a burial” Victoria said with a sigh. “Still,” I said “we can all be better, with conscious efforts. We should not allow others dictate who we should be as a result of their actions. What do we have to contribute to our own lives? If chocolate never got better than raw cocoa and tasted as such, none of us would buy it”
“You’re right” Brent said “we don’t have to look like what we’ve been through. We can add value to our lives” “Sooo…” Ken drawled “Did you fight or something? How did that make him end up here?” Victoria snorted. “No” she said “he did all the fighting by himself” “Huh?” I said, not even realizing it until I did. “Yeah. It all happened this morning” she took a deep breath and continued. “My younger brother who was out of the country on a scholarship arrived yesterday evening. He told me he would be in the country but surprised me with a visit yesterday evening. My husband was out of town and I tried to contact him to let him know of what was up but his number wasn’t reachable. He got into town this morning and came home” I swallowed fearfully and noticed she’s got the attention of us all. “He came in and I greeted him.
Read ” Once Upon A Lie ” by the same author ( Gracious )
It was only a few minutes after that my brother woke up and walked into the sitting room with a towel drapped round his neck. He woke up very late because of the jet lag. He has an attitude of brushing his teeth every morning before any other thing.“Ooh, just like Maddy!” Nancy exclaimed and Ken and I chuckled “Ooh waoh” Victoria said “I once tried to imitate him but I just couldn’t. Even taking water early in the morning is a great task. I only do that when Jonathan is around. He’s also ‘like that’ but doesn’t brush first thing in the morning though he makes it compulsory to brush before taking a meal”
“You’re all still better than I. even Ray has given up on me.” I said “Anyway, what happened next?” “Jonathan flared up. Although he hadn’t seen my brother before because he wasn’t around for the wedding. The last time he comes home was two years ago and we got married just a bit over a year ago. Even I hadn’t seen him in two years but I expected him to at least recognize my brother since he has seen numerous pictures of him on my phone but fury didn’t let him”
“Nah, rage is blind to sense” Ken said “You’re very right, Ken. I was trying to remind him of who he is but instead of listening to me, he instead took the car keys and rushed out of the house” she breathed out sharply “I was so devastated” “I can relate” Nancy said “I guess he was either thinking on wheel or driving recklessly and as a result, hit Maddy” Oooh Brent said with a low voice. “Excuse me” Ken said abruptly and left. “Do you think he’s angry?” Victoria asked, fear evident in her voice. “No, just that he has a similar issue with his fiancée” I answered “You will have to excuse me too.” I said as I stood to leave. “To go talk to him, right?” she asked. “Yes, will be back soon” I replied. “Okay” Nancy said and I left.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON VICTORIA AND JONATHAN’S RELATIONSHIP AND WHY EXACTLY DO YOU THINK ARE KENNIE THOUGHTS? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION AND DON’T FORGET TO LIKE, RATE & SHARE. FENKIO!
Episode 20
KENNIE I walk away, turn a corner and lean a
bit against the wall. What in the world? The man almost drove himself to death
over stupid envy and now, he has put his wife in emotional turmoil. Maddy can
also be as jealous sometimes . I remember… I was jerked out of my thoughts when
I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned abruptly. I breathed out reflexively
when I saw Tess. “Hey handsome” Tess said, giving a cheeky smile “Tess” I
replied “what are you doing here?” “Hmm” she pretended to think deeply, putting
a hand to her chin “I really can’t remember” she finally said “I probably
couldn’t let you out of my sight” I gave her this ‘you’re not serious’ look and
leaned my back against the wall. She did the same and we stayed like that for
minutes. The silence lingered till Tess broke it. “Are you thinking about what
Victoria said?” she asked “Hun” I responded . After some thought, I added to
it. “I don’t really know” “What don’t you know?” Tess asked “I don’t know…” I
hesitated and then decided to say nothing “Maddy’s parents used to fight a lot”
she said “Her dad turned her mom to a punching bag and sometimes punch them
both because little Maddy wouldn’t watch mummy get beaten up” she shifted
against the wall and continued “On a fateful day, her mom caught her dad
cheating on her and in her fit of anger, started to fight him. In his defence,
he pushed her off him. She fell on the floor and unexpectedly gave up the
ghost.” I turned to look at her and she tilted her head at an angle where she
could look directly into my eyes. “Maybe her father liked her mum, who knows?
They were both unbelievers anyway, so what did they know about love? He drank
and drowned himself in his sorrow day by day. He drove drunk one day and got
involved in an accident. He didn’t survive it.” I swallowed hard “So Maddy’s
uncle from her mum’s side took her and fortunately, they are Christians. They
travelled out of the country two years ago, leaving Maddy because she was in
school. That’s why she stays alone” “She has told me about this before, Tess.
Why tell me again now?” I asked “You didn’t know what you didn’t know so I
decided to tell you what you know” she shrugged “Maybe it will help you to know
what you don’t know” “I’m scared, Tess” I exhaled deeply “very scared” “Of
what?” she asked “Of everything. Just look at all that woman’s gone through and
is still going through, all because her husband has refused to let go of his
past. What if…” I hesitated “What if Maddy ends up frustrating…” I dropped my
head and hung it low “I really don’t know, Tess. I’m not so sure anymore” I
blurted out. “I remember that day, a little over two years ago” Tess said “I
was sewing a cloth on the machine when you came in, beaming from ear to ear.
You didn’t even wait for me to ask you for the statement of the problem before
you started downloading the day’s events” “You were jumping and squealing like
a little boy, shouting ‘she said yes’. I asked you if you prayed about it
before asking her out and you answered with such surety that amazed me.” I bit
my lower lip as she continued “I had no issue with it, neither did Nancy. As
time went on, other people too gave their affirmations about you too” “Baby
boo” she put a hand on my shoulder “trust God and his leading” “It’s not the
first time you told me about this insecurity of hers, stubbornness and
attitude. Even I confronted her about it. You neither heard a ‘stop’ or a
‘pause’, did you?” “No” I replied “We don’t act based on experiences. It’s
better to hold on to what you know than what you don’t know. The latter is like
hanging on to a thread, terribly unreliable. You know God has spoken, so let’s
hold him responsible for His word and one thing I know is He never fails” she
said “So don’t worry,” she tapped me lightly on the shoulder “everything is
working out for your good. You have a goodly heritage, yeah?” she winked “Yeah”
I winked back with a smile “So are we good to go?” she asked “Sure” I replied
with our call sign She moved to go but I stopped her and leaned on her
shoulder. “Oh boy, you already have weight o” she complained, trying to shrug
me off her. “Just keep quiet and hug me while I’m totally offering my hot body.
Some people are dying to touch” I mumbled into her shoulder and she scoffed but
hugged me and patted me lightly on the back. “I know you don’t joke with food
but how come you’re only growing thin?” I asked She pinched me hard and I
yelped, moving spontaneously out of her embrace. “Mannerless boy. Come on,
follow me” she said, led the way and I had no choice but to follow, still
rubbing the spot where she pinched me
