Unspeakable Period

UNSPEAKABLE PERIOD

   The entire arena alongside its vicinity was thoroughly calm and cool till the hidden dog in the house, which seemed like a watchdog, eventually thought it wise to initiate an unannounced bark having woken from its slumber that could be best described as a nap. The pet was actually taken unawares that it couldn’t sense the apparently noisy footsteps of the ‘august visitor’ as he approached the edifice not until he got very close to where it was observing the abrupt afternoon nap.

    Oh, the poor pet named Vigor was without further ado shot dead with a silent bullet by the brutally looking invader, unknowingly to the gateman, Metu who was about twelve metres apart from its (the pet’s) location just as he couldn’t notice the invasion of the ‘august visitor’ alongside his accomplices via the fence.

    There and behold, a gang of three able-bodied men surrounded Adaobi in her matrimonial room as she was as well observing a siesta. The 49-year-old Mrs. Adaobi Uchechukwu who put on lingerie was the target. Her hubby had left the country for Italy, Europe the previous week for business talks and all their four children were schooling abroad. So, having sent her maid to the nearby supermarket a few hours back, she happened to be the only one at home aside Metu whose duty-post only existed at the gates.

    She suddenly woke up to see herself surrounded by three totally armed strangers who weren’t looking only unfriendly but untouchable. Fear gripped her, but she was assured by the gang leader that she wouldn’t be harmed provided she cooperated with them.

    Therein, she was urged to change her wears to something more reasonable and she hurriedly complied, though in an apprehensive mood. Quickly, they handcuffed her and left the room in her company for the house’s premises, entered into one of the cars parked at the garage with the effort of a ‘magic’ key, and headed for the gates; to them, asking the woman to get the car keys was a waste of time. When they approached the gates, Metu was inside his humble abode; hence, one of them stepped out from the car and kept the gates open. On hearing the gates’ sound, Metu dashed out only to naively observe a very weird drama; before he could comprehend what was happening, they were off.

     Oh, the helpless Adaobi had been kidnapped!

     Metu who was yet to fathom the scenario, hastily went into the main building only to ascertain that his boss’s spouse was nowhere to be found. “Oh my God,” he exclaimed at the top of his voice. “They don kidnap Madam!”

      His eyes turned red within a twinkle of an eye.

    “I am finished.” He added, fell on the floor.

     The gates were still left widely open.

     Metu confusedly grabbed his cell phone to alert his boss Chief Onyeka Unchechukwu.

     “What are you talking about?” the call recipient reacted loudly at the arrival room of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos State. “My wife, kidnapped?”

     He coincidentally arrived Nigeria the moment his wife was kidnapped. The distress call, which yielded the rhetorical questions, came in when he was boarding a flight that would translocate him to his final destination, Port-Harcourt.

     On her part, Mrs. Adaobi who found herself amidst a 5-man gang in an uncompleted building situated at the suburb of the city of Port-Harcourt where she was kidnapped, some minutes after they left her home, couldn’t believe herself. She had been hearing of kidnapping, abduction, and other forms of criminality not knowing that she would be patronized someday. A few seconds stay at the den of the lions, which seemed not unlike a jungle, was indeed hell; the room was completely covered with the thick smokes generated by the Indian helms they were respectively devouring, making her gasp for air. She was forced to seat on a folded dead black snake that was kept on the bare ground. Some minutes later, she was relieved of the handcuffs.

    Within fifty minutes, the 50-year-old Chief Uchechukwu arrived at Port-Harcourt. The moment he got to his residence, he ignored Metu as well as the housemaid Abigail who returned from the supermarket few minutes after the incident, and walked straight to his matrimonial room only to see his wife’s phone lying helplessly on the bed bearing several missed calls; that was when the reality dawned on him.

    Within a twinkle of an eye, he was out from the room. “What happened?” He asked Metu who was pitiably seated on the tiled floor of the sitting room alongside Abigail.

    “Oga, I no understand ooh,” Metu cried in Pidgin English, gesticulating. “Oga, I no understand ooh…” he reiterated.

     Abigail, who was also yet to get the gist, was looking like a soured yellowish pap that was packed in an ancient plate.

     “Calm down, calm down,” he urged Metu, stood still. “Tell me, what really happened?”

     As the confused 37-year-old Metu, who had managed to gather himself, was about narrating the astonishing story, Chief Uchechukwu’s phone rang in his pocket. “Who’s this?” He enquired as soon as he picked the call.

     “I am sure this is Chief Uchechukwu?” an unfamiliar and unfriendly masculine voice responded with a bass.

     “Yes, this is Chief Onyeka Uchechukwu,” he said. “How may I help you?”

     “I am afraid, your wife is in trouble.” The caller hinted.

     “My wife?” He inquired. “Please, don’t hurt her.” He hurriedly added having sensed the identity of the caller.

     “Well, provided you cooperate with us.”

     “What do you want?” said Chief Uchechukwu calmly. “Please, name your price.”

     “Fifty million naira, only.”

     “What…!” He subconsciously exclaimed in a high tone.

     “I can see, you are not ready.”

     “I am very sorry about that,” pleaded the victim. “Please, let me give you five million naira.”

     The caller sighed deeply on hearing the proposed amount. “Do you think we are selling crayfish here?” He said bitterly, cut the call.

     Two seconds later, the same number called back. “Hello.” answered Chief Uchechukwu as he picked the call.

     “Darling, please give them anything they asked.” His wife enjoined in a depressed tone.

      “My dear, are you alright?”

      “I am sure you have heard her voice?” responded one of the gangsters having quickly collected the phone from her. “I’m afraid, she is dying in silence.” He added frankly, cut the call.

      Chief Uchechukwu hurriedly dialed the number.

     “Yes?” another strange voice answered as he picked the call. “What can we do for you?”

     “Please, I can’t afford that amount.”

     “Make ten million naira available for us before this time tomorrow,” the voice urged. “And, make sure you don’t involve the police.” He eventually warned.

     “Okay, I will.” replied the frustrated-looking victim. “Where do I drop the money?”

     “Make the money available,” the voice said. “Then we will tell you how to locate us.”

     “Okay.”

     “I repeat,” the voice hinted. “Do not involve the police.”

     “I won’t.” He responded after a brief silence.

     “Good luck.” The stranger added, cut the call in haste.

     Thereafter, without the knowledge of Chief Uchechukwu, his younger brother who had learnt of the incident contacted the state’s Police Commissioner. Without wasting time, the Police went in search of the culprits; this was taking place that very fateful day the incident transpired.    

     First thing the following day, having captured the kidnappers at their hideout, Mrs. Adaobi Uchechukwu who appeared pale was unexpectedly reunited with her husband by the police, though the overall period, particularly a night, spent in the hands of the vandals was a moment she would definitely live to remember; the period was indeed unspeakable.

    It was undoubtedly an emotional homecoming.

Follow me: @mediambassador

http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor

      

Fear of the Unknown

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN

     It isn’t anymore news that there’s no relationship without a challenge. Such famous assertion that has globally gained ground in every facet of human endeavours isn’t in any way an overstatement. And, the aforementioned fact seems to be more prevalent in a relationship involving a man and a woman, or an emotional affair; this is why anyone could boldly say ‘show me a relationship without a challenge, then I’ll show you two dogs in love’.

     In fact, in some relationships, the partners involved might end up encountering not just one or two overwhelming challenges but a series of them, and that of Tayo and Bisi wasn’t an exception. This implies that the best thing that could happen to the said partners was to seek the advice of an experienced counsellor as well as the face of the ‘Almighty’.

     “My dear,” said Tayo. “I invited you here so we could discuss this issue once and for all.”

     The 36-year-old Ms Bisi who was dressed in a pink dress coupled with white flat-heeled shoes nodded.

     Both of them were seated separately adjacent to each other on single upholstery chairs; the meeting was taking place in Tayo’s sitting room.

     “We have been engaged for almost a year now,” the equally 36-year-old Tayo, though a bit younger, rode on. “So it’s time for us to get it right.”

     Bisi was calm and attentive.

     “I have thought of it all over,” said Tayo who was in only blue boxers. “I think I should resign.” He landed succinctly.

     Bisi hastily looked at him, speechless.

     Tayo and Bisi who were engaged to each other having met about two years back were colleagues in the same company, a telecommunication firm precisely, and the latter happened to be the former’s senior colleague; they actually met each other in the company. Intriguingly, according to the firm’s tradition, a married couple could not be its employees; and if peradventure two employees of the company wanted to get married, as in the case of these two, one must resign from the job before the marriage would take place, or the company would sack both partners if they eventually tied the knot without adhering to its modus operandi. That was exactly the issue at hand.

     It appeared the aforesaid partners were placed in a state of dilemma; to choose between the awaited marriage and the job. The bone of contention was that one of them must resign or they would live to face the repercussion of rebellion as regards the firm’s ethics. This very state of dilemma had been troubling both of them till this moment when the man in charge decided to wear a bold skin rather than perambulating. Now, the die had been cast; what next?

    “You will resign?” She finally uttered.

     “Yes,” he responded emphatically. “I have made up my mind.”

      Bisi left her seat immediately and joined him in his. “No, you won’t.” She hinted.

     “How do you mean?”

     “Rather, I will.”

     “You will what?” Tayo ranted.

      Ab initio, Bisi had already made up her mind to resign. She only wanted to see if Tayo really loved her before she could take such enormous risk; that was what prompted the delay. So, it was a test of faith. Now that the young man had proven beyond doubts what he felt for her, she had been convinced that they were meant for each other, thus the fear of the unknown had abruptly vanished.

     “Yes, I should be the one to resign.” She cleared the air.

     “No, you won’t.”

     “Why…?”

     “You earn more than me,” quoth Tayo. “And you have already gone too far in the job.”

     Bisi was silent.

     “So, I should be the one to resign,” he asserted. “And look for something else to do.”

     There was tranquility.

     “No, I will resign.” She insisted. “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself, okay?”

     “Are you sure about this?” said Tayo, looking into her eyes.

     Bisi nodded. “Very sure.” She responded accordingly in a low tone.

     “If you said so.” He surrendered, apparently filled with fear of the unknown.

    This implies that the fear of the unknown his fiancée was initially preoccupied with had therein been shifted to his mind.

    The following day, Bisi disclosed to her parents her intention to resign from the job which she had nurtured for over six years; she had gone to visit them at their place of residence for that very agendum. The news was a big blow to the said recipients, particularly her mum.

    “You must be out of your senses.” Her mother boiled impatiently.

    “Young woman, calm down,” the husband quarreled. “Let me talk to her.”

    They were all seated in the parlour. The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Taiwo was on a 3-in-1 cushion while Bisi was separately seated on a single one.

    “Why have you taken such decision?” Mr. Taiwo enquired maturely.

    “Because, he truly loves me.” Ms Taiwo replied.

    “Love…?” He voiced out with a high bass.

     Mrs. Taiwo who couldn’t hold her temper shook her head continuously.

     “Yes Dad,” she said. “Tayo has proven it to me.”

     “So, this is all about love, right?” Mr. Taiwo continued.

     “Yes Dad,” she answered tempestuously. “And that is the ultimate when it calls for marriage…”

     “Shut up,” Her mum heckled. “What do you know about love?”

     “Woman…” Mr. Taiwo cautioned unfriendly, asking his wife to remain calm.

     “Mum, in case you have forgotten,” Bisi responded. “I am 36.” She reminded.

     Mrs. Taiwo was speechless in order not to attract another wrath from her darling husband.

     “So, you have made up your mind?” Mr. Taiwo inquired.

     “Yes Dad,” said Bisi. “I and Tayo are meant for each other.”

     “Are you sure about this?” Her dad reiterated, looking into her eye-sockets.

     “Very sure, Dad.” Bisi replied vigorously.

     Her mum shook her head that bore gorgeously plaited hairs. “Hmm…” She sighed.

     “If you said so,” quoth Mr. Taiwo. “Then invite him over during the weekend.” He urged.

    “Okay Dad,” the interviewee appreciated elatedly, felt fulfilled. “Thank you so much!”

     After all the brouhaha, Mrs. Taiwo succumbed, thus she assented to the arrangement. The following week, Bisi resigned from the job having received her parents’ awaited blessings.

     Two months on, she tied the nuptial knots with Tayo, the groom of the moment. It was indeed a very special day for both of them. Thereafter, they were happily married to the glory of God.

     As God would have it, six months later, Bisi successfully secured another employment in a different firm with the help of the connections she gathered while serving in the previous one. And at that very moment, she was heavily pregnant.

     Hence, the fear of the unknown earlier nurtured by both parties finally metamorphosed into a state of glory. Isn’t He a wonderful God? Think about it!

 
Follow me: @mediambassador
http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor  

                  

Such is Life

SUCH IS LIFE 
(True-life story)

    “Tochukwu,” Chima calmly called.

    “Yes.”

    “If you have parents,” said Chima. “And they treat you like a slave…”

     Tochukwu listened attentively over the incoming tale.

    “How would you feel?” He landed.

    “How do you mean?”

    “Didn’t you get the question?” the 19-year-old Chima enquired.

    “What kind of question is that?” quoth Tochukwu. “The question is too complicated.” He confessed.

    “Okay,” Chima reiterated. “If your parents treat you like a slave, how would you feel?”

    The misleading and vague inquiry related to paradox was undoubtedly so complex that Tochukwu couldn’t fathom a bit of it let alone figure out a suitable answer.

    Tochukwu and Chima who were age mates were childhood friends and neighbours in the city of Enugu in Enugu State of Nigeria; ‘neighbours’ in the sense that, they, under the care of their parents, lived in the same street though about ten yards apart. Amidst their usual discussion which was taking place at Tochukwu’s home, Chima thought it wise to share with him an ordeal he had been passing through which was seriously telling on his emotions.

    The truth of the matter remained that Chima who was the first child of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Okoro was undergoing hell in the hands of the said couple. The scenario appeared as if the said couple regretted ever bringing the poor chap (Chima) to the world; in other words, his birth was not unlike a mistake to them. Funnily enough, prior to the birth of their subsequent offspring, which came when Chima was already seven owing to inability to conceive by Mrs. Okoro, the little Chima was pampered as well as treated like gold just to say the least. Suffice it to say that before the birth of Chima’s immediate younger sibling, Chike who came into the world when the former was already in primary four, the former was indeed adored by his supposed parents; but the moment the latter was born among two others, which included a boy and a girl, that followed suit afterwards, the drumbeat automatically changed.

     The most awful part was that Chima managed to finish his secondary education whereas the other three, his younger siblings, were schooling in one of the best primary schools in town. All these made Chima to be of the notion that something was definitely wrong somewhere. Hence, at that moment, he decided to disclose the unbearable experience to his best friend, Tochukwu since it’s popularly cited that ‘a problem shared is half solved’.

    “Chima, this your question is still confusing.” quoth Tochukwu.

    “I know this might shock you,” Chima persistently rode on. “But I need to share this with you...”

     Tochukwu was silent and very attentive.

    “Maybe you could be of help.” He added.

    “I am all ears.” informed Tochukwu.

    “I am living with my parents,” said Chima, paused. “But it seems I am living alone.”

    “How do you mean, Chima?” the listener said. “Please go straight to the point.” He urged apprehensively

    “My dear,” continued the intriguing storyteller. “I have been facing hell in the hands of my so called parents.”

    “What!” exclaimed Tochukwu in a low tone, quickly adjusted his posture. “Are you serious about this?” He added, confused.

    Many other disclosures accompanied with requested clarifications continued for several minutes. 

    “My dear,” said Chima after about forty minutes amid the discussion. “Myself, I am even confused.” He confessed, paused. “All I wish now is to drink acid and die.”

    “No, don’t talk like that,” Tochukwu quarreled. “It hasn’t gotten to that point.”

   “Tochukwu you don’t seem to understand,” said the complainant. “I am dying in silence.”

    “Still, that doesn’t call for suicide.”

    “So, what would I do?”

    “Believe me,” said Tochukwu. “Your problem has come to an end.” He hinted frantically.

    “How do you mean?” Chima anxiously said.

    “There’s a Pastor I will take you to,” responded Tochukwu. “He’s a very powerful man of God.”

    “Are you sure about this?”

    “Surely, Pastor Okeke is the only one that has the final answer to your problem.” Tochukwu enthused. “He’s my family pastor.”

   “Since you said so,” quoth Chima. “I am damn willing to see him.”

    The following day, both of them arrived at the priest’s worship centre. “You are a great child.” the priest rightly informed Chima the moment they got seated in his office.

    “I don’t understand, sir.” replied Chima.

     Therein, the priest told him the story of his life that sounded like a mere dream.

    The truth was that Chima wasn’t a biological child of Mr. and Mrs. Okoro. They adopted him because they were yet to have a child having waited patiently for twelve years. Miraculously, after seven years of the adoption, the couple had their first biological child, Chike coupled with two other kids that came subsequently.

    The aforesaid couple adopted him nineteen years back by the consent of his real mother, Mrs. Ogiri right in the hospital where he was delivered, but his biological father wasn’t aware of the abominable gesture. Amazingly, Chima was a twin but his biological mum sold only him to enable her take good care of his twin brother who was later named Amaechi due to abject poverty that was ravaging her matrimonial home; thereafter she lied to her husband that the sold baby (Chima) who was yet to be named died in the hospital mysteriously.

    The god-sent clergyman further revealed to him that that his twin brother, Amaechi was killed many years back by his mother’s evil sister-in-law, but his parents were yet to know the cause of his abrupt demise. Ironically, according to the anointed man of God, his biological mum couldn’t conceive again after Amaechi’s untimely death; needless to say that his biological parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ogiri were seemingly childless at that very moment that they were faced with no other option than to treat their male house-help, Rumu as their only child. One would assert that the servant in question (Rumu) was adopted by the couple going by the nature of the relationship between the two parties.

    Something very remarkable transpired some months after Chima was sold out to strangers owing to poverty, although unknowingly to his dad; therein his biological parents who were reckoned to be the epitome of poverty became extremely rich; his wretched father, Mr. Ogiri won an overwhelming contract in his little farm business that positively transformed his life for eternity. This implied that they were stinkingly rich at the moment but had no child to enjoy the wealth. Till this point, Mr. Ogiri was yet to be told by his wife that one of their twins was actually sold out, thus he was still kept in the dark.

    Consequently, the cleric disclosed to Chima the exact direction that would lead him to his biological parents, Mr. & Mrs. Ogiri who hailed from Rivers State. The following day, in the company of his friend (Tochukwu), Chima began his journey to meet his real parents without the knowledge of the fake ones, Mr. and Mrs. Okoro. There and behold, he successfully got to his father’s compound that seemed like a haven.

    His mother, Mrs. Ogiri who came out to receive the guests having been notified on their arrival fainted as soon as she was told by Chima that he was the innocent baby who was sold nineteen years back.

    Rather than being resentful over his wife’s weird and dastardly attitude, Mr. Ogiri who got the overall news afterwards thought it wise that the reunion called for celebration.

    Thereafter, Chima could boast of not only materials a child of his age wished to possess but anything he could lay his hands on to include a Jeep, classy wears and what have you. Subsequently, he went back to his fake parents in his personal Jeep to let them know that he had discovered his lineage; they were densely shocked to see him as a totally changed person. Prior to this time, they had been searching for his whereabouts only for him to resurface in a different mood some days later.

    Four years on, the intelligent Chima became a graduate of Linguistics & Communication Studies from the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Ogiri. Undoubtedly, such is life.

    N.B: Actual names of the real characters as well as localities in the story were withheld by the writer.

Follow me: @mediambassador

http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor