ShortStory I 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 his fiancée, and their church wedding ceremony had been scheduled 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 said city. And luckily for them, they hail from neighbouring states, Enugu and Anambra, respectively.

        Their relationship commenced jokily during one fateful weekend, Saturday 24^th 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, tall 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-skinned 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 baseball cap.

        “Hi!” He exclaimed cheerfully.

        “Hello!” the lady whom seemed to be in her early thirties responded accordingly.

       “I am Chike,” he informed. “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?” the dude 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.

        He 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 bride price.

        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 his place by four O’clock in the afternoon 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, 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 tenderly urged. “What’s wrong with you?”

        “Honey, I had a very busy day.” she eventually 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 did 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 whom 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.

        Three days on, 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 busy 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.

        Little did Chike know that his so-called bride to-be had been a prostitute in disguise all those while.

        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.

 

Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador 

Opinion I Bizarre Extortions By Banks, Telecom Firms

BIZARRE EXTORTIONS BY BANKS, TELECOM FIRMS

        

I grew up to learn that customers or clients are at all times treated like kings as if they are in charge of various empires. However, in recent times, most service providers in this part of the world, particularly Nigeria, had disabused their clients of that ancient belief. 

      

Aside my personal experiences, I had in several occasions been reliably informed that for quite some time now, millions of Nigerians have been subjected to an untold hardship in the hands of the various commercial banks as well as telecommunication companies situated across the federation, via instigation of unending bilious charges.

       

The last time I thoroughly checked, the nauseous practice almost got out of hand that it required only a stiff measure for it to be bade an eternal farewell by its innumerable victims. It suffices to assert that it has already eaten deep into the sufferers’ bone marrow.

       

I would have considered this critique as frivolous, if I were to give a listening ear to a casual and spontaneous utterance tendered by a childhood friend resident in Texas, USA. The buddy unequivocally asked me, albeit carelessly, to ignore the said phenomenon since Nigerians are used to suchlike experiences.

       

The point the dude was frantically trying to make was that the ongoing anomaly, among other related ones, is synonymous with Nigeria thus not unlike a norm. Though I assented to the assertion, he was ignorant that not all traditions are meant to be upheld, hence the need to acknowledge that some trending lifestyles arguably deserve to be holistically abolished without contemplation.

       

Come to think of it, why would Nigeria be invariably reckoned to be a place where such uncalled and unwarranted practices are ostensibly acceptable or a step in the right direction? Rather than protecting the interests of their clients, these banks and telecom firms prefer to unleash on them villainy, as if they are mere slaves.

       

Incessant deductions often reportedly attributed to VAT, SMS alerts charge, ATM service/maintenance interest, monthly card fee, stamp duty charge, and what have you, constantly and consistently made by the commercial banks on their clients’ accounts have become so worrisome that if left unchecked, one may wake up one morning to observe that about 95% of the total money deposited in his or her bank account(s) had been debited from it. We were told that ‘stamp duty charge’ becomes necessary only when one’s account receives a deposit, but currently such charges are being deducted incessantly.

       

Before an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card is issued to a client on demand, a sum of N1200 or above – depending on the bank – would be deducted from the recipient’s account, yet such a whooping sum of money wouldn’t be enough to cater for the servicing rendered by the card as long as its use lasts. It’s even mind-boggling to realize that the duration of the card does not exceed between two to three years, or thereabouts.

       

On their part, the telecom companies would always make use of imposition mechanism to actualize their dubious motive. In most cases, their customers would be taken unawares as regards subscribing to a certain tariff or promo as if the airtime on their SIM cards weren’t purchased by them. A situation where someone would buy a #100 airtime and all the money would instantly vanish into thin air, really and absolutely calls for a public outcry. Among all, unsolicited text messages and phone calls – especially the ones on advert – continually received from these service providers are another thing of great worry to the concerned public.

       

The aforementioned callous and villainous attitudes of most firms operating in Nigeria, which are to say the least very appalling and thought-provoking, have become a case study to hundreds of thousands of researchers in the country. It’s indeed pertinent to acknowledge that Nigerians at large are seriously suffering in the hands of those they patronize or whom are required to treat them like kings. How would you reconcile this?

       

This lingering impunity has made many concerned stakeholders in Nigeria to insinuate that the country lacks competent and reliable regulatory bodies. Of course, in a situation like this, embracing such speculation wouldn’t be far-fetched. We are all aware that each commercial bank and telecom firm in this nation is answerable to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), respectively, as well as the Consumers’ Protection Council (CPC). But what the people aren’t aware is if the said relationship is really being upheld.

       

The other day I overheard an official of the CPC who played guest on a particular radio programme, saying that the major problem with Nigerians was inability to report to appropriate authorities whenever they are aggrieved or witch-hunted. Consequently, via a phone call, I retaliated by asking her (the official) why they would always wait for the public or consumers to lay a complaint before they take action, even in a situation where the commission or any of its members happened to be one of the victims/sufferers of the ordeal, or when the unbearable circumstance is very glaring.

       

So, if a police officer, for instance, happens to be in a commercial bus and therein one of the passengers is accused of theft or was caught stealing, the said security personnel instead of arresting the accused person or doing the needful headlong would expect other passengers in the bus to come over to the police station to lay a complaint before he would take the action expected of him? I’m just thinking aloud, but every sane individual needs to be deeply thoughtful over it.

       

It’s high time we awoke from our respective slumbers with a view to living up to the expectations. Any firm or person accused of any foul play or punishable offence ought to be brought to book by collective efforts of the apt authorities having acquired the needed evidence for the prosecution.

       

For crying out very loud, the consumers or clients, as the case may be, cannot continue to be treated like nobody by these legitimate consortiums. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador

Opinion I New Year Jubilee: The Genesis of a Unique Odyssey

NEW YEAR JUBILEE: THE GENESIS OF A UNIQUE ODYSSEY

                 

It has almost become a cliché to say that someone is redrawing the map of the world. Same is applicable to seeing actors in their dramatic moods. For many years, several cultural and historic monuments have been destroyed which has tremendously jeopardized the progress of various historical jubilees that would had constituted many historic remarks. Most of these remarks that have existed in the past successively were lately misunderstood by the present generation, therefore, being observe as mere clichés.

         

Saturday penultimate week, one of my bosom friends residing in Canada called to register his extreme anticipation in respect of the forth coming year, 2018 precisely. In his first sentence, he informed me that he couldn’t wait to see the New Year. I tried to ascertain the actual cause of the immeasurable anxiety, though which is most times usual amongst mankind. He further disclosed that he had already set aside a very tangible resolution that would commence as soon as the year in question begins.

           

Still on the phone conversation, I became more curious and my curiosity was accompanied with enthusiastic inquisition. Thus, I persuaded him to disclose the resolution to me even though he wasn’t ready to let the cat out of the bag. And, he gladly succumbed to my humble importunity. He told me that he had made a resolution that “in the coming year (2018)”, he would never taste beer or any alcoholic drink again. Honestly, I laughed because the fellow in question has been known by all and sundry as one of those who believe that beer ought to always be in one’s tummy irrespective of the weather condition.

           

That was the reason he was earlier mute to let out the inborn resolution to my person. He knew I would certainly consider it as a mere annual cliché being vomited (cited) by millions of youths scattered all over the globe. But, he further let me see the reason his case was a distinguished one by backing it up with some facts or experiences. I concluded by telling him “Bravo!” and he was so delighted to receive such gesture/exclamation from me.

         

In any perspective your observation or analysis might be standing on, the fact remains that any anniversary is consequential regardless of the nature or its area of interest. Sometimes the discrepancies between school records and examination results may not be considered necessary because both are found in academic environment.

       

Notwithstanding, in any two or more existing similar materials or facts, there must be a distinct dichotomy among them. In other words, if many anniversaries or jubilees have been in existed for donkey’s years, one or two of them must be definitely different. Let’s put it this way; if two babies are born simultaneously and they happen to be identical twins, there must be certain difference(s) lying between them.

        

We are discussing New Year anniversary. A ‘new year’ is a certain different year that has just been encountered by mankind which the beginning takes place in every 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be. In the world at large, the commencement of such year always calls for a jubilee among the entire mankind irrespective of religious or cultural affiliations.

        

The world over celebrates the 1^st of every New Year to mark a certain distinct journey that has just begun. Suffice to say; every New Year is regarded as a different odyssey that has just been embarked on, and each day that makes the year in question is seen as one of the steps that constitute the journey since any journey must begin with a step. Let’s ride on!

          

Most people come up with a series of resolutions at the beginning of every calendar year. A few ends up actualizing theirs while most of them often fail towards the end of the odyssey. And these – failures and successes – have been a point of attraction to many concerned souls in regard to New Year resolutions.

         

New Year jubilee is truly a welcome phenomenon that has resulted to many worthwhile histories or historic events. As we celebrate such day, courtesy demands for a certain useful individual resolution to be reached. And, the resolution ought to be seen as the essence of such jubilation.

         

Having reached a certain resolution, there is optimum need for such decision to be accompanied with adequate practical-intensive support to ensure that its outcome becomes a success. Having backed up your decision with an intensive support, then you shouldn’t relent to couple such journey with tremendous prayers and faith. Any of the above tools or measure should not be taken for granted if you truly want your goal to be actualized. There are no two ways about it.

         

Hence, for success to be attained there must be a certain target or dream. And such dream or aim must be accompanied with hard work alongside any necessary avoidance measure as well as adequate prayers and tremendous faith.

          

However, it’s noteworthy that sometimes failure(s) might be consequential regardless of the amount of effort put in any of your aims. And this is where nature comes in. Certainly, “man proposes but God disposes”.

          

Having stated the above facts, it’s therefore needless to reiterate that New Year jubilee or anniversary is surely the genesis of a certain worthwhile odyssey that truly calls for adequate sustenance by all and sundry. Think about it!

 

 Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador