Smart Cheat

SMART CHEAT

    “Seun, my son.” Mrs. Funmi called.

    “Yes mum.”

    “I must say,” quoth the 52-year-old Funmi. “I am really proud of you.”

    “Thank you, mum.” appreciated the 18-year-old Seun.

     Seun was the only child of Mrs. Funmi Akande who was a widow. Since her beloved husband kicked the bucket untimely nine years back, she had vowed not to remarry; hence, she had been trying unrelentingly to make it up to her only pride (Seun) who she regarded as her pet, with the help of the trading business she was into. Seun wasn’t just loved but adored by his industrious mother who could best be described as a virtuous woman, owing to his ostensibly brilliant idiosyncrasy; he was no doubt trying his very best to do well academically, particularly in order to please his poor mother who he saw as his messiah.

     Having concluded his secondary education previous year in a grand style and thereafter successfully secured admission in the university of his choice to study his dream discipline, Business Management, precisely few weeks back, in the aforementioned gathering which was taking place in their parlour at about 7:35am, his loving and lovely mother – ‘Madam Funmi’ as she was fondly called by her friends and foes was painstakingly taking her precious time to administer the required and consequential counsel.

     “I am glad you have been coming out with flying colours in all your exams.” Funmi rode on as she was seated in the parlour.

     Seun who was seated directly adjacent to her, smiled. “Thank you, mum.” He said.

     “Even in the grave,” quoth Funmi. “Your father would be very proud of you.” She enthused, paused. “He wanted the best for you.”

      Seun was calm.

     “I pray you will continue like this throughout your university period.”

      Seun adjusted himself, remained calm and speechless.

    “Please my son,” she proceeded. “Always try your best to make me a happy woman.” She asked, paused. “You know you are the only one I have.” She added.

    “I want to assure you one thing, mum…” Seun interrupted.

     Funmi was quiet and attentive.

    “I will never disappoint you,” he landed. “I mean, always.”

    “That’s my boy.” Mrs. Funmi elatedly applauded. “Please, come and sit here.” She urged, tapping the space on her seat.

     Seun left his seat for hers immediately, leaned on it and folded his hands.

     Funmi looked into his eyes. “My son,” she called passionately. “As you are about leaving for your school…”

     Seun appeared more attentive.

    “When you get there,” she continued. “Never forget where you are coming from.” She enjoined soberly, wept.

     “Mum, why are you crying?”

      She quickly wiped her tears, gasped for air. “Never mind.” She trivialized.

     “Mummy is okay,” he urged. “Don’t worry, everything would be alright, okay?”

     Funmi nodded emphatically. “Thank you.” She told him.

     The discussion lasted till 8.40am before they left for their respective daily household chores.

     The following week, Seun departed home for the university where he got admission. His first day on the campus wasn’t just indelible but a moment he wished he would live to celebrate all through his lifetime.

     As a fresher, he had on him all the needed materials cum cash that would cater for him throughout the first semester. This was due to the fact that his mother never wanted him to be distracted or lack anything whatsoever because the institution in question was a no-nonsense one that believed in excellence through hard work; to say the least, any student caught indulging in any form of examination malpractice outrightly faced expulsion and such legacy spoke volumes whenever the university name was mentioned anywhere across the country.

     To Seun’s mum, her only child was equal to the task when it called for hard work or devotion, thus she was strongly of the view that the chap would leave no stone unturned towards ensuring that he came out with flying colours after each semester exams. As a result of this notion, she was so determined to shower him with every needed love regarding finances like never before, in order to spur him to put in his very best in all matters concerning his academics which were his primary aim of going to the university. On his part, toward making it up to his mother, Seun was equally prepared to metamorphose into a better being.

     Ceteris paribus, three months down the line, the university exams, as usual, were around the corner. To this end, all the undergraduates including Seun, were variously doing the required finishing touching to ensure that the awaited test of ability became an absolute success. Seun was really nervous as regards the fast approaching exams that were expected to commence the following week; he needn’t any iota of excuse that would make his person not to boast of a distinction in virtually all his courses that were eleven in number if the results eventually came out, just as the case was during his primary as well as secondary school time.      

     There and behold, the long awaited D-day being the next Monday, finally arrived, to the glory of God. On that fateful day, Seun was meant to sit for ‘Introduction to Commerce’ which was a general subject for every first year (100 Level) undergraduate of the Management faculty.

     “Hey boy,” one of the exam invigilators called Seun as he sighted him in the distance displaying some antics amid the exam. “Stand up!” He urged him.

     “You mean me?” Seun enquired while still seated, his exam papers facing him.

     “Yes you,” the invigilator, Mr. Funsho clarified, gesticulating. “Stand up!!” He reiterated.

     The exam hall, which comprised about thirty candidates, was marveled over the invigilator’s mode of approach. As freshers, coupled with the fact that they had been duly briefed in regard to the university’s intolerant modus operandi, each of them became jitterier.

     Seun hesitantly stood up as instructed.

      Mr. Funsho majestically walked closer to him. “What’s your name?” he inquired, glanced at his answer script.

     “Akande Seun.”

      Mr. Funsho nodded unfriendly. “What were you doing awhile ago?” He said.

     “Doing what, sir?” Seun confronted. “I was writing my exam, of course.” He added with alacrity.

     “So you weren’t guilty, right?” Mr. Funsho insisted.

     “Guilty of what, sir?”

     “I can see you are stubborn.” Mr. Funsho frayed, quickly dipped his right hand into one of Seun’s trousers’ pockets and brought out a manuscript.

     He had earlier caught Seun making use of the manuscript but the culprit was claiming to be clever.

     Everyone stared at the scene in utmost awe.

     Seun who stood still was totally embarrassed, didn’t know what next to do.

     The fact was that, Seun was so talented when it called for cheating in the exam hall right from his childhood; that was how he scaled through all his examinations in the past without his mother’s knowledge. Mrs. Funmi presumed she had a brilliant child unknowingly to her that the chap in question was nothing but a smart cheat. Now, luck had run out of him.

     Therein, Seun Akande was dragged out of the exam hall by Mr. Funsho alongside his co-invigilators, and was taken to the university’s Senate building. Consequently, few days on, he was expelled from the university.

     His poor mother, Mrs. Funmi Akande instantly slumped and passed away on hearing the sad news.

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Striking Revelation

STRIKING REVELATION

     “Dad,” Dabere called.

     “Yes son.”

     “Mum,” he reiterated, facing his mother.

     “Yes Dab.” responded the mum.

     “I have come to inform you about my latest plan.” He hinted, stylishly shook his car keys.

     The three were seated in the family’s sitting room. Dabere Uzor, the last child of the couple – Mr. and Mrs. Uzor who could boast of three children, had left his place of residence that fateful day being Wednesday to meet with them on an appointment. The 35-year-old bachelor was resident in the same city with the parents but he rented his personal apartment somewhere away from theirs; he only came around when necessary to check on them or whenever he had something very tangible to discuss with them just as this very one. His elder siblings – a female and a male respectively, were both happily married; needless to say that his parents were living alone, although in the company of a house-help.

     The couple were seated together in the parlour cushion whilst the young man clad in red native attire was separately seated directly adjacent to them.

     “What is it about?” Mr. Uzor inquired, while his wife listened attentively.

      Dabere smiled. “I want to settle down.” He disclosed hesitantly.

     “Are you serious?” quoth Mr. Uzor excitedly.

     “Yes dad.”

      Mrs. Uzor dished out a dazzling smile. “With who, my son?” She anxiously inquired.

     “Chinyere, of course.”

     Chinyere who happened to be of the same age with him was the lady he introduced to them few months back. Interestingly, her birthday coincided with his, which was one of the main reasons that made him see her as his ‘missing rib’. And his parents approved of her having met her thrice.

     “Oh, that’s lovely!” Mrs. Uzor exclaimed.

      Mr. Uzor was elated. “You are indeed a true son of your father.” He teased.

     “You can say that again, dad.”

     “This is good news,” quoth Mrs. Uzor. “Let me get something for you to eat.” She informed, stood up and walked into her kitchen.

     Some minutes later, she returned to the parlour with a tray containing a delicacy – wheat and vegetable soup. “But son,” she called as she served the salivating meal.

     “Yes mum.”

     “I suggest you see our family pastor by the weekend,” Mrs. Uzor thought aloud. “And tell him about your intention.”

     “I think your mum is right.” Mr. Uzor concurred.

     “Okay, I will do that,” Dabere assented. “Probably, on Saturday.”

     “That’s my boy!” His mum applauded cheerfully.

      The meeting lasted for almost three hours. He left there for his apartment, which was about fifteen kilometers away, at 6:15pm.

                           * * * * *

     “Good day, pastor.” Dabere greeted the moment he stepped into the pastor’s office.

     “Oh, welcome Dab!” Pastor Nduka replied. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”

     Pastor Nduka was the family’s cleric he was asked to see. He had earlier called to inform him of his coming.

     “Thank you, pastor.” Dabere appreciated as he assumed his seat.

     “Dab, why are you having an affair with your sister?” Pastor Nduka said as soon as the guest sat down, appeared like someone in the spiritual realm.

     “How?” Dabere enquired. “How do you mean, pastor?”

     “I can see you dating your blood sister.”

     “Dating my blood sister?”

     “Yes,” responded the cleric. “You are even engaged to her.” He visualized.

     “I don’t understand, pastor,” quoth Dabere. “You are making me so confused.”

     “Calm down.” Pastor Nduka enjoined. “There’s a lady in your life, right?”

     “Yes, Chinyere.” Dabere replied. “That’s the lady I want to marry.” He added, paused. “That’s the reason I am here.”

      The cleric smiled unfriendly. “No, you won’t marry her.”

     “What’s wrong, pastor?”

     “That very lady is your sister,’ the cleric revealed hesitantly. “In fact, she’s your twin sister.”

     “Twin sister..?”

     “Yes.” Pastor Nduka insisted, nodding frantically.

     “How?”

     “I think your parents would tell you better,” quoth the cleric. “I suggest you go and see them.”

     The striking revelation had to do with the unknown fact that Dabere and Chinyere were twins. Thirty-five years back when Mrs. Uzor gave birth to them, she was told by the nurses in the maternity that one of the twins couldn’t make it, unknowingly to her that the female twin was sold out by the health workers. The abductor who was a single mother later named the kid ‘Chinyere’.

     On her part, Chinyere’s fake mum – Adaego never even told her that she was adopted let alone disclosing that she was an abducted child. Rather, she lied to her that she was her biological daughter, though begotten out of wedlock; all efforts made by Chinyere to meet with whosoever that was her biological father proved abortive. When Adaego abducted her 35 years back in the maternity, she never knew anything about her parental background neither was she told that the kid in question was a twin, thus she (Adaego) never in any way suspected where Dabere was coming from even when she learnt he was born on the same day with her acclaimed daughter.

     On hearing that his parents would be in a better position to tell him more, Dabere hurriedly left the church for his parental home in his car. If not God’s intervention, he would have been involved in a fatal auto-crash while on his way.

     “Dab, is everything alright?” Mr. Uzor said the moment Dabere walked into the sitting room where he was unwinding with his wife.      
     “Dab, what is it?” Mrs. Uzor reiterated.

      Dabere furiously sat down. “I am just coming from Pastor Nduka’s office.” He managed to utter.

     “So?” Mr. Uzor said curiously, while his wife was attentive.

     “He said I am engaged to my blood sister.”

      “Engaged to your what?” Mr. Uzor enquired, astonished.

      “My blood sister.”

      “That you are engaged to your blood sister..?”

      “Yes.”

      “How?” His mum chipped in.

      “He said Chinyere is my twin sister.”

      “Chinyere, your twin sister..?” Mr. Uzor ranted.

      “Yes,” responded Dabere. “He further told me that you both would be in a good position to explain.”

      “Oh, my God.” Mrs. Uzor screamed. “We are finished.”

       Dabere had earlier been notified by his parents that he was born a twin but his twin sister died immediately after birth, as they reportedly learnt. So the disclosure made by the cleric didn’t totally sound weird to him.

      Every finding thereafter confirmed that Chinyere was indeed Dabere’s twin sister. The hospital in question was shut down indefinitely by the relevant law enforcement agency having captured the medical director, and Adaego – Chinyere’s abductor was as well arrested by the police. Chinyere was reunited with her original family after placing her alongside her twin brother on a rigorous deliverance.

     However, few days later, Dabere who couldn’t mentally withstand the memories of the incest was overtaken by dementia; he consequently took to the street. The unannounced repercussion, which was self-inflicted, threw the entire Uzor family in a disastrous mood. 

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Tainted Omen (II)

TAINTED OMEN (II)

    “Jessy,” Jessica’s mum, Mrs. Rita Annan called as she entered into her (Jessica’s) room.

    The encounter was taking place immediately after Jessica’s return from Kumasi. She had arrived home at about 7:45pm (GMT) after the ugly experience she encountered at Francis’ home. The moment she got home, she snubbed her parents, Hon and Mrs. Annan who were seated at the sitting room when she arrived; she walked passed them and went straight to her bedroom looking pale and rejected, thus her mum followed her to the room to ascertain what was actually wrong. The parents had earlier been making frantic effort to reach her via her cell phone but the gadget wasn’t reachable.

     On his part, her dad Hon Mike Annan who had sensed what could be the problem was still seated in the parlour seemed like an armed robber in the police net who would soon be charged to court. Since he got married to his wife, Rita, he was yet to share with her what he did to his girlfriend called Kate when he was still single in spite of his eventual encounter with Francis, which would have propelled him to do so.

     “Mum.” Jessica responded in a very low tone as she lied bitterly in her bed.

     She went to the bed as soon as she entered the room having removed her foot-wears; never minded to undress herself.

     Her mum walked closer, sat at the edge of the bed. “What’s wrong with you?” She inquired. “Besides, what happened to your phone?”

     “I switched it off.”

     “Why?”

      Jessica was speechless.

     “Jessy, talk to me,” Mrs. Rita urged. “This is supposed to be one of your happiest moments; on the contrary, you are looking rejected.”

     “That’s the issue, mum.” She hinted, began to sob.

     “Oh my God,” Mrs. Annan exclaimed. “What’s wrong with you?”

      She sobbed heavily. “Go and ask daddy.” She managed to utter amid the weep.

     “Your dad?” Mrs. Rita verified. “You mean, my husband?” She reiterated, placing her left hand on her chest, seemed mesmerized.      

     Jessica nodded. “Yes mum.” She replied in a jiffy.

     “Is okay, is okay.” Mrs. Annan surrendered. “I will be right back.” She assured, stood up and dashed out of the room.

     “Has she confided in you?” Hon Mike inquired anxiously the moment his wife joined him in the parlour, still seated.

      Mrs. Rita walked closer, sat very adjacent to him. “No,” she responded hesitantly. “She refused to speak.”

     “What could be the problem?” Hon Mike thought aloud.
     “That’s why I am here,” quoth Mrs. Rita calmly. “She said I should ask you.”

     “Ask me?”

     “Yes.”

     “Of what?”

     “I don’t know,” she said. “But the way she sounded, it appeared you know much about what she’s passing through.”

     “She just returned from Kumasi,” quoth Hon Mike. “And both of us have been here waiting for her arrival.” He said, paused.

      His wife was quiet and attentive.

     “So, how would I know her plight?” He rode on in pretence. “When did I become a prophet…?”

     Before he could finish the last sentence, Jessica joined them in the parlour, really appeared pale having wiped out her tears. “Dad, you are aware of my predicament,” she interrupted. “Stop pretending.” She emphatically enjoined, standing.

     Her mum looked at her in awe. “What exactly is going on here.” She eventually uttered. 

     Hon Mike was left with no choice than to tell the tale which was long overdue, thus he began to speak therein.

    “You did this to a woman?” Mrs. Annan ranted after the story, which lasted for about fifteen minutes. “My fellow woman?” She added.

     “Dad, you are wicked and heartless.” Jessica shouted, forcedly sat on one of the white cushion chairs in the room.

     “You were lucky she didn’t pour you acid.” Mrs. Rita notified furiously, looked weird. Paused.

      There was a brief tranquility.

     “And, you never bothered to tell me all these while,” she continued. “Not even your daughter who is dating her son.”

     “I am very, very sorry for the inconveniences I have caused you both.” Hon Mike broke his silence. “Just that, I thought I would cause more harm than good if I shared the story with you, especially Jessy.” He concocted.

    “You thought?” His wife quarreled. “Just listen to yourself.”

     Jessica was speechless, looked mean in her seat.

     It was about 8:30pm (GMT)

    “So, why did you do that to her?” Mrs. Rita inquired, referring to the jilted Mrs. Kate.

    “Someone told me he caught her with another man,” Hon Mike hesitantly replied. “So I couldn’t imagine settling down with a cheat.”

    “Someone told you…?” quoth Mrs. Rita. “You amuse me.” She added, paused.

     Jessica shook her head.

    “That means,” Mrs. Annan proceeded. “Someone can as well tell you I am cheating on you, and you would attempt to divorce me without finding out the truth?”

     “I really messed up,” Hon Mike appreciated. “I was even ashamed of myself.”

     “I wish all your children are here to listen to you.” His wife said.

      Jessica was the first child of the couple, and none of her four siblings – all males, were living with the family.

     “Please, let’s stop this blame game,” Hon Mike pleaded. “Right now, we should be concerned with how to make amends.”

     “So, what do we do?” Mrs. Rita enquired having seen reason with him.

     “I suggest we pay them an unscheduled visit.” Hon Mike said. “Thank God she’s happily married too, so she wouldn’t take it too hard on us.” He foresaw, referring to Mrs. Kate.

     “I pray your thought becomes a reality,” quoth Mrs. Annan. “Because I can’t afford to watch my daughter remain in this tattered mood.”

      Jessica stood up calmly, walked back to her bedroom.

     “My dear, take it easy, okay?” Mrs. Rita conscientized Jessica as she (Jessica) took her leave. “All will be alright.” She added, still seated alongside her hubby.

     First thing the following day being Sunday, the three embarked on a journey to Kumasi for the proposed tour. When they got to their destination, their unannounced visit was highly welcomed by the intended hosts, if not the aggrieved Mrs. Kate Ababio who felt like releasing a bullet on the man she had described as a monster; initially, she couldn’t withstand sharing the sitting room with him until her hubby, Chief Ababio sensitized her on the need to do otherwise.

     Hon Annan on his part was very calm and silent, but his wife pleaded on his behalf while kneeling down. “I am your fellow woman,” quoth Mrs. Annan having made several pleas. “I understand exactly how you feel.” She landed, stood up and resumed her seat.

     “My dear,” Chief Ababio called his wife. “Please forgive him...” He asked.

     “Mum, please…” Francis interrupted.

     “If not for anything,” Chief Ababio rode on. “At least, for the sake of these children.” He said, pointing at Francis and Jessica who were closely seated.

     “Please.., Kate.” Hon Annan finally uttered. “That was one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made in my life.” He submissively asserted.

     “I have forgiven you.” Mrs. Kate notified with much ado, smiled.

      Everywhere became agog on that Sunday morning on hearing the last statement. Everyone present including Francis younger ones who were privileged to witness the reconciliation couldn’t hide their joy. At the end, unalloyed harmony was felt among them.

    Behold, the taint eventually metamorphosed into a condiment!

    Two months later, Engr. Francis Ababio walked down the aisle with the bride of the moment, Miss Jessica Annan. It was a remarkable and epoch-making event, to the glory of God.

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