Bloody Encounter

BLOODY ENCOUNTER

      “Hello!” Buchi exclaimed, standing at a bus stop situated in one of the notorious localities in Lagos State, Oshodi to be precise. The dark coloured young man was clad in blue jeans, a green T-Shirt, and a pair of black shoes.  

      “Who am I seeing?” Ikem shouted at the top of his voice on sighting Buchi. He was about entering a commercial bus that was headed for Festac town. The fair in complexion man was putting on a pair of black three-quarter jeans, multiple coloured polo, and a pair of brown leather slippers coupled with a brownish face cap.

       Ikem ignored the bus. “Buchi na you be this?” He said in pidgin. Walked closer to Buchi.

      They hugged each other passionately.

       Ikem and Buchi were old time friends. They attended the same Secondary School in Enugu State many years back, and they happened to hail from same state. Both buddies were in their early thirties.

      “So you are in this state?” Buchi said.

      “Yes,” Ikem responded. “Since I finished my degree course.”

       Both of them lost contact after their secondary education days due to lack of mobile communication system as at then.

      “Are you serious?” Buchi amazingly said. “Which university did you attend?”

      “UNN,” Ikem replied. “But I did my youth service in Niger State.”

       “Interesting.” Buchi said, nodding.

       “And you?”

       “Well, I studied in UniPort.”

       “University of Port-Harcourt?” Ikem verified.

       “Yes,” Buchi answered. “But I served in Ekiti State”

       “So, how long have you been in Lagos?” Ikem hurriedly asked.

        “About three years now.”

         “Waow!” Ikem exclaimed. Amazed. “Same here.”

         “You mean, you have been here for three years too?” Buchi asked. Surprised.

         “Of course.’

         “Where do you stay?” Buchi enquired.

         “Festac town,” Ikem responded. “With one of my uncles who works in a bank.”

         “Waow, what a coincidence” Buchi said excitedly. “I reside at Maza-Maza”

        “That makes it more interesting.” Ikem said, smiling.

        “Yes ooh! You can say that again”   

         Maza-Maza is situated in the same district with Festac.

        “Who are you residing with?”

        “My married sister.” Buchi said.

        “Any job yet?” Ikem asked anxiously.

        “For where?” Buchi replied in vernacular. “Where did you see job in Nigeria?”

        “Na waow!” Ikem exclaimed disappointedly. “Only God would save us in this country.” He added.

         They paused for a few seconds.

         “So which bank does your uncle work with?”

         “Platonic Bank.”

         “That’s a nice bank.” Buchi applauded.

         “So you haven’t gotten a job too?”

         “Hmm,” Ikem sighed. “My brother, leave matter ooh.”

         “So what’s your plan now?” Buchi curiously inquired.

         “Well, there’s a friend of mine who asked me to see him tomorrow at Ikeja.” Ikem replied. “He’s into business.”

         “What kind of business?”

         “I don’t know yet, but he often travel abroad.” Ikem said. “And he is densely loaded.”

         “Ok.” Buchi dished out in a low tone. “Please, I would like to go with you oh. Man don suffer.” He urged submissively.

         “No wahala,” Ikem agreed. “What are friends for?”

         “Thanks a lot buddy.” Buchi appreciated.

         After some minutes, they boarded a bus that was headed for their respective destinations. They exchanged contacts while in the vehicle.

 

                * * * * * *

         Buchi and Ikem agreed on a meeting point on phone. The following day, they met at the agreed venue and took off from there to their anticipated destination.

        Ikem had already informed his proposed host on phone that he would be coming with his friend, and the man in question approved the request.

        When they got to the place, surprisingly the man who invited them was an armed robber. The young man who was seated with his partners in crime didn’t hesitate to disclose everything to them. They needed not a prophet to interpret the scene to them because every kind of ammunition was displayed right before the gangsters.

        After the necessary introduction, Ikem and Buchi who were gripped by fathomless panic were left with no other choice than to join the deadly chorus.

       The gang had earlier planned to rob a bank the following day being 24^th February 1999, and the affected firm was Moonlight Bank; one of the most respected banks in the country. Buchi and Ikem were meant to be part of the adventurous outing. 

       On the D-day, they successfully arrived at the bank, and were about to commence operation as usual until something tragic transpired.

        Unfortunately Ikem’s uncle – Mr Cyprian Okoro, the one he lived with, happened to be present at the said bank. He was meant to meet with the Bank Manager on that fateful day for a proposed business transaction.

        Ikem sighted his uncle the moment he walked into the Manager’s office as he was instructed.

        Mr Okoro stood up immediately on sighting Ikem. Profoundly shocked. He couldn’t believe his eyes. “Could this be Ikem Okoro?” He thought. Stood still.

         Both relatives were steadily and confusedly looking at each other, which led the Bank Manager into a more confused state.

         Ikem who was well armed, quickly and nervously gushed out tears as he was left with no options than to pull his virgin trigger on a man he had always seen as not just a father but a source of his inspiration. It was indeed a horrific and bloody encounter for the first-time robber. He felt like the world had finally come to an end as he thought over the poignant state of dilemma.

        Immediately, Mr Cyprian was shot dead alongside his senior colleague by Ikem.

       The tiled floor was instantly covered with pool of blood.

        It was no doubt the most dreaded experience in Ikem’s life.

 

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Irony of Life

IRONY OF LIFE

      “Hi!” Ikenna exclaimed in a high tone amidst an overwhelming crowd.

      “Hello!” Nkiru responded reluctantly.

       Ikenna quickly walked closer to her, “I must confess,” He said, smiling. “You are truly a pretty damsel.”

       “Thank you.” Nkiru appreciated.

       “Are you from this town?” He asked, looking into her sexy eyes.

       “Yes.”

        Both of them were in a dancing mood.

        It was during a traditional marriage ceremony between Chukwuma and Adaora. Chukwuma happened to be Ikenna’s cousin as well as childhood friend, while Adaora was Nkiru’s cousin sister. Chukwuma and Adaora hail from neighbouring clans.

        Ikenna was a promising and handsome young man based in Germany, Europe. He was a renowned Casanova who was enjoying his bachelorhood in his early forties. He actually came back to Nigeria for the said event.

        There was no one in Umuokirika - the town where Ikenna hails from, who was yet to know about him due to his flamboyant lifestyle. He was a rascal to the core and never cared about what people say about his person. Prior to that marriage ceremony, during his numerous previous visits to Nigeria, he had succeeded in tendering marriage proposal to over fifteen ladies both in his home town and in the Diaspora. Surely, he was indeed a notable play boy and a notorious personality.

         He came across Nkiru when both of them were dancing at the centre of the gathering alongside the couple. There is no need saying that he was what any lady would like to behold just for a second considering his costly appearance at the occasion, and Nkiru was not an exception. When other dignitaries who rushed to the dance floor to cheer with the couple were busy spraying Naira notes, he was obviously showering the couple with hard currencies including US dollars and Euros.

       “Please, can we see by the corner?” He urged Nkiru.

        “Alright,” She said. “Just give me few seconds, I will join you later.”

        On receiving the warmth response, Ikenna – a dark, plump and an average man dressed in a grey caftan and white leather slippers, quickly but stylishly walked out from the crowd to a tranquil arena where he could have a word with the incoming victim.

        Within a few seconds, the chocolate-coloured, slim and tall looking lady clad in a blue mini-skirt, pink top and a pair of pink shoes who seemed to be in her early thirties, joined him at the serene arena as she promised. She was really cute in her dress.

        “I’m Ikenna.” He said leaning on his black Lexus Jeep as soon as she stepped closer to him. “From Umuokirika, the neighbouring town.”

        “Are you Chukwuma’s brother?”

        “Yes,” He said. “He’s my cousin brother and childhood friend.”

         “Interesting.” Nkiru exclaimed, nodding.

         “So, what do I call you?”

         “Nkiru.” She replied.

         “That’s a lovely name.” He complimented.

          “Thanks.”

          “Like I said earlier,” Ikenna continued. “You’re a very beautiful lady.” He said. Paused. “I will like to know more about you.

           Nkiru smiled. She needed not a prophet to interpret to her what the young man was up to.

           “Can we meet tomorrow?” He requested. “At Hilltop Bar.”

            Hilltop Bar was one of the most exotic and expensive beer parlours at Umuofeka – the town where Nkiru hails from, and its environs.

          “Okay.” She admitted. “What time?”

          “4pm.” He said. “Would that be okay by you?”

          “Yes.” She acknowledged, nodding.

          “So, we have a deal then?” Ikenna said.

           “Definitely.”       

         As soon as they departed, a lady Ojiugo who was spying at them from afar walked up to Nkiru and told her all she needed to know about Ikenna. Ojiugo hails from the same clan with Ikenna, so she was in good position to know everything concerning Ikenna’s promiscuous lifestyle.

         Having gotten the clue from the God-sent, Nkiru thought it wise to be very careful with her relationship with Ikenna.

         After a few days, having met at Hilltop as scheduled, Ikenna and Nkiru became best of friends to the envy of other ladies, though Nkiru was still skeptical over Ikenna’s purported commitment, thus she took the affair as a ‘spare tyre’.

         Amazingly, as days unfold the relationship became more serious, that, Ikenna decided to postpone his return trip to Germany. At a point, he willingly made up his mind to quit bachelorhood for the sake of the relationship, coupled with the overwhelming pressure he was receiving from his parents. Against this backdrop, he concluded to shun promiscuity; a decision that made him to become a totally new person.

         On one fateful day, he tendered a marriage proposal to Nkiru who was unaware of his recent resolution, right in his sitting room; but she couldn’t believe the proposal was coming from a man who really wanted to settle down having heard that he had proposed over fifteen ladies in the past. Rather, she saw it as one of his past numerous false and deceptive proposals; therefore she asked him to give her some time to think about it.

         Though Nkiru never caught Ikenna with any other lady but the information she had received on his lifestyle remained a reference point to her.  

        After some days, she tentatively concurred with the proposal.

        There was a chap known as Emeka whom Nkiru was lavishing Ikenna’s fortune on. Both of them were school mates; they were studying in the same University. All the money Ikenna was giving to her was actually diverted to Emeka’s pulse unknowingly to Ikenna. The scenario continued till one fateful day when Ikenna paid her a surprising visit at where she lives on campus.

        He actually took her unawares.

        The moment Nkiru opened her room entrance having heard series of knock at the door, what the incoming groom (Ikenna) saw was tantamount to taking him to his early grave. He sighted a guy who was putting on only Boxers lying freely in his supposed fiancee’s bed.  On the other hand, Nkiru who never knew that Ikenna was the person at the door was clad only in a bedroom wrapper.

        Ikenna initially thought he was daydreaming until every bit of the drama became very obvious to him.

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Bridal Deceit

BRIDAL DECEIT

         Mr. Chike Okafor was still waiting patiently for Adanma’s arrival right in his humble abode. Only the blind would be yet to observe that the poor man was almost losing his patience.

       “Where on earth would this woman be?” He thought aloud. Deeply concerned over her welfare. “I pray nothing bad had happened to her.” He added, still looking pale on one of the upholstery chairs in his sitting room.

       Chike’s lost of patience, which was accompanied by series of soliloquies, came in subsequence to several aborted efforts he had made to reach the awaited lady on phone.

        Adanma was Mr Okafor’s fiancée, and their church wedding ceremony was meant to take place in two weeks time. 

        Chike came across Adanma in Calabar, Cross River State barely four months back; they were both residents of the City (Calabar). And luckily for them, they hail from neighbouring states in Igboland, Enugu and Anambra respectively.

        Their relationship commenced jokily during one fateful weekend, Saturday 24^th of August 2013 precisely, when Chike drove to one of the hottest joints in the City to have some drinks.

        Having parked his Red Toyota Camry Car at the designated spot, the moment he walked into the bar, he abruptly sighted one fair and plump pretty damsel clad in a blue mini-skirt, pink top and a pair of pink sandals who was seated alone at one of the corners in the area. She was already sipping from a bottle of Smirnoff which was accompanied with a plate of pepper soup.

         Amazingly, within a twinkle of an eye, she saw a slim and chocolate looking young man of an average height who appeared to be in his late thirties standing right before her. He was putting on a pair of three-quarter jeans, green T-shirt and a pair of leather slippers, coupled with a multiple-coloured face cap.

        “Hi!” He exclaimed cheerfully.

        “Hello!” The lady whom seemed to be in her early thirties quickly responded.

       “I’m Chike,” He said. “Chike Okafor.” He added, still standing.

       “Ok, Adanma.” She said placing her left palm on her chest.

       “Are you waiting for someone?”

       “Not at all”

       “Can I join you?” Chike requested.

       “Suit yourself.” She replied in a very friendly manner.

        Chike joyfully sat on the white plastic seat positioned directly opposite her. “You are really beautiful; I must confess.” He quickly dished out.

      “Thanks” Adanma gladly appreciated.

        Chike didn’t hesitate to order for his own drink, bottle of Star to be precise, coupled with a plate of pepper soup to balance the equation.

        The conversation lasted for over one hour after exchange of several pleasantries including phone numbers and what have you. After all said and done, Chike gladly dropped her at her place of residence at about quarter to seven in the evening (6:45pm).

        Exactly two months after their meeting, they got engaged. On the third month, Chike joyfully took his kinsmen to Anambra State to pay her dowry, unknowingly to the Enugu born man that he was gradually preparing his grave yard.

        According to Chike’s faith alongside that of his family, he was not meant to live with her after observing the traditional marriage rite until he had successfully taken her to the altar.

        That very fateful day, which marked exactly two weeks to their wedding, Chike was anxiously waiting for Adanma’s arrival because she was already two hours behind schedule. Both of them had earlier agreed to meet on that day at Chike’s place by four O’clock in the afternoon (4pm) in regard to the proceedings of their forthcoming wedding ceremony. But as at ten minutes past six in the evening (6:10pm), Adanma was yet to arrive. The young man tried many times to reach her on phone, all to no avail.

        Having dosed off on the upholstery seat, at about two minutes past seven at night (7:02pm), Chike’s door bell rang.

        On receipt of the blaring sound of the bell, Chike walked reluctantly to the door. “Who’s that?” He queried in a low tone.

       “It’s me, Adanma.”

         As soon as the name ‘Adanma’ was mentioned, the door was widely let open.

        “Baby, are you okay?” Chike worriedly asked. “I’ve been trying your line, but it was switched off.”

        Adanma, speechless; appeared tired and exhausted. She quietly walked to one of the seats in the sitting room and lousily sat on it, looking pale.

        Chike followed suit having closed the door. He was seated adjacent to her. “Baby talk to me,” He urged. “What’s wrong with you?”

        “Honey, I had a very busy day.” Adanma finally responded. “I worked overtime in the office.” She lied.

        Adanma had falsely informed Chike that she works in one of the telecommunication firms in the City. And Chike having trusted her, never cared to go for further enquiries on what she actually does for a living.

        “Oh, so sorry about that.” Chike uttered. “That’s company work for you. They will stress you, exploit you, and at the end, you would be paid peanut.” He added.

        “Yes, you are absolutely right.” Adanma complimented. “I wish I’m a civil servant like you.”

        Mr Chike Okafor who was a graduate of Business administration from the University of Port-Harcourt, was a successful civil servant. He was engaged with the Cross-River State Ministry of Finance.

        Whilst, Adanma was a drop-out from one of the Polytechnics in Nigeria. But she lied to Chike that she had a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Marketing.

        On that very day, she passed her night at Chike’s place, and left for her place the following day.

        After three days, which was barely eleven days to the proposed wedding ceremony, something very terrible transpired. On that day, Chike got an indelible and unimaginable experience in his lifetime.

        After office time, he was slowly driving along one of the streets in Calabar metropolis to purchase some fruits, as usual, for himself as well as his fiancée at about some minutes past five in the evening. Surprisingly, he noticed someone who appeared like Adanma, and the lady in question was walking into a certain brothel situated along the street. He quickly stopped his car and hurriedly walked out.

       On reaching the main entrance to the brothel, he saw a life image that gave him the greatest shock of his life. Frankly, the lady he saw while in his car was really Adanma, and no one else. This time, she was facing him, though from afar. She was almost nude in her dress.

       Little did Chike know that his so called bride had been a prostitute in disguise all those while. What a bridal deceit!

       He couldn’t believe his sight. It was like a dream. He stood still; seemed froze.

       On her part, virtually all her face was covered with fathomless tears while standing like an electrocuted vulture.

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