by Olanrewaju Odesomi

 

“Did you kill him?” It was at best a whisper as Muna could barely make out the words. She moved towards him, and stopped a step away. She gently pulled at the arms of her red top that stretched on her body, highlighting the contours that made her a woman. His breath became ragged, and forceful as she got got closer.

-Read Episode 1 of this enthralling story [HERE]

-Read Episode 2 of this enthralling story [HERE]

-Read Episode 3 of this enthralling story [HERE]

“Are you Daddy’s friend” The small girl, with the beautiful smile asked Muna. Muna nodded affirmatively, rubbing the girl’s head of hair gently. She giggled gleefully before disappearing. Muna sat back, and checked the room – It was a medium size living room, with tiled floor, and leather chairs. To her right, was an arc, that opened up to the dinning area, where a teenage girl sat on one of the chairs, trying to act as if she was not paying attention to the visitor. Muna knew she was. She even seem to be fidgeting for reasons alien to Muna.

Muna checked her time for the umpteenth time. She was, by all account, not suppose to be here. In fact, after what happened, she was not even meant to be in the state. They believed she would be far away from the state as is possible within the limited time between the act, and now. She didn’t know why she was here either, except maybe the unusual urge to see Shola. He was different from the others she usually met on the job. Why he was involved was something she still couldn’t fathom as he seemed nice, and a tad naïve of matters like theirs. There was something about him that brings out the mother hen in her. Maybe it’s the fear in his eyes, or the fact this whole episode would sooner or later, through no fault of his, consume him.

This no doubt was a bad idea. She followed her instincts, something she only did when she was doing what she did best, and working, as one needed a sixth sense to avert danger – it was innate. She was about standing up to leave, thinking she was done when the door opened, and he came in.

Instantly, she could see he was tired. His dull eyes, and awkward gait gave that much away. He starred at her warily, as if not knowing how to come across, or what to say. She helped him out. “Welcome.” He was behind her, so she had to turn. His nodded twice, the only action that showed he actually heard her, otherwise, he acted as if she wasn’t there. The girl in the dinning area left there, and came to greet him, kneeling down, and taking his bag. She took the bag inside, leaving the two adults alone.

Shola sat down on the chair adjacent to hers, eyeing her warily. He was yet to utter even a word since he was back. He loosened the tie around his neck, and untucked his shirt, his eyes still on her face.

“Why are you here” He managed finally. She didn’t know the answer to give to his question. She was yet to decipher the reason herself. She instead studied him silently, noticing the ring around his eyes, as well as the deep furrowed lines on his face. He seemed to have aged since friday. He paused, and starred back at her, the lines on his face deepening.
“Was just in the area, and thought to pay you a visit.” That was better than anything. He laughed. It came out breathless, and short. He obviously didn’t believe her.

“What’s in my area for you?” He asked pointedly. It was her turn to laugh, short, and barely audible.
“How was work?” She asked. That seemed to catch him off guard, as he instantly pre occupied himself with rolling up his shirt sleeves. He was not particularly handsome, or macho, but the action added a certain masculinity to his haunted looks.
“I saw you on television on saturday” He resumed starring at her. “What’s going on? Why were you there?”
She was now, more than ever, sure this whole visit was a huge mistake. What was wrong with her. She rarely, if ever, have second thought about anyone she meets while on duty. Why the urge to see this particular guy? She starred back, knowing avoiding his gaze would be akin to accepting his hidden accusations.

His daughter bounced into the living area, creating a distraction which was helpful to Muna, as she didn’t know how to answer his pointed questions. He smiled as he saw his daughter. She ran into his arms, singing his name. He gently rubbed her hair, and lifted her, making her sit on his laps. It was a beautiful sight. Even though his smile looked forced, you can’t deny his affection for the girl, even if you tried.

She felt like taking a picture of them both, to capture the moment, and still forever, the memory. She wasn’t a sentimental person, in fact, she was the opposite, but the picture they painted welled her eyes. She was going soft, she thought, and mentally kicked herself for her sentimentality. She knew what awaited him after this whole episode, and seeing his daughter dot on him with such unabashed love, and expectation was almost crushing.

She sat stiffly, faked a smile, and watched daughter, and father communicate in hushed tones with each other.

He told her something, and she got off his lap, and went back inside. He then asked Muna why she was there again, this time, impatiently.

“To see you.” She whispered.

“Why?”

“Just to check if you’re alright.” He smiled ruefully again.

“And what do you think now?”

“Am not sure you are.”

“And why do you think that is so?” He moved to the edge of his seat.
“Well, am not pysch, so can’t really say.” She was starring at his full lips all through, liking the way they barely moved when he talked.
“Did they send you to come check on me?” He asked. She was not expecting that. “I am my own person. No one tells me what to do.” She replied curtly. He took off his shoes, and socks, and stretched his legs.

She noticed his legs were shaking slightly, and that his arms were restless. His eye balls wandered everywhere. He was nervous, or scared. She was trained to notice fear, and use it. But, why was he scared? He was sitting straight like a nursery pupil in front of his aunt. Could it have been because he saw her on tv shaking the Governor, and then deduced she had something to do with his death? He currently looked lost in his crumbled white shirt, and black trousers. She didn’t know what to say. She was a woman of few words, and fewer friends. It was best that way, as the less people that knew her, the better it was. She wanted to reassure him – but she couldn’t possibly do so without letting slip certain things. The last man she had any sort of emotions for – it was dislike, and she kicked his balls in.

“Things are happening that I don’t understand. Can you possibly explain?” His voice broke through her thoughts.

“You don’t need to understand, it’s beyond you. Just be careful is all I know.”

“Careful of what?” His eye balls widened. Whether it was from shock, or surprise, Muna couldn’t say.

“Why are you here, and what do you people want from me?” He checked the doors, probably to be sure no one was there.
“I like you. And I think, maybe, just maybe you don’t deserve the turn of events.” Muna couldn’t believe she said that. She sighed, and ran her hand through her hair. She better leave. Neither one of them was save if she continued on this path.

“Turn of events?” He moved closer to the edge of the chair, his rear barely on it. She feared he would ask that question the moment she made that last statement. There was no ready answer.

“What’s your daughter’s name?” She changed the subject. He sat back, disappointed.

“Aimee.” He supplied reluctantly.

“Why a foreign name? What’s the meaning?”

“Beloved. So, why are you here, again?” He seemed adamant. She stood up. He did same. They starred at each other – one longing, the other, wary.

“Got to go. Thanks for seeing me.” She turned.

“Wait.” Shola moved towards her. She stopped, and turned slowly, and faced him.

“Did you kill him?” It was at best a whisper as Muna could barely make out the words. She moved towards him, and stopped a step away. She gently pulled at the arms of her red top that stretched on her body, highlighting the contours that made her a woman. His breath became ragged, and forceful as she got got closer.

Poor thing, she thought. Knowledge a times can be a dangerous customer that eats at your inner peace, devours your sanity, and nibble at your conscience.

“Curiosity killed the cat.” And, like a cat, she moved noiselessly away from him, and from the apartment. He could breath easily again.

——————————————————–

Muna knew where to find Baba Kekere. She knew the two touts, irrespective of how much they were being paid, the streets, or park was where they feel most comfortable. She knew if something was going down, that Baba Kekere, always on retainer to do the dirty works for those above, would know a thing or two about it. Her problem was how to cajole the information off him.

After seeing Shola, she knew she should have left Lagos on the next available flight, but here she was, on the streets of Lagos, looking for someone – the kind most people spend their lives avoiding. It wasn’t new to her though. It was something she was used to doing – going to places others never thought existed, and doing things others only read about was her job description.

It was dark when she got to Iyana Ipaja. From what she learnt, they were to be found in one particular sepe joint – rain, or darkness, it was their second home. She set her phone alarm for fifteen minutes, and then moved purposely through the human traffic that filled the side walks – if you could call it that, and crossed the road. She could already see him, his accomplice, and some others, sitting around a table, argueing at the top of their lungs. She could even pick out his voice – loud, and deep, as it rang above the others.

She scaled the pavement, and crossed the road to get to the other side. Beside them was a woman selling oranges. Muna moved towards her, and ignored the group. She bought some oranges, and while the woman was packaging it into a nylon, gave her a thousand naira note. She told her she didn’t have change. Muna expected that, turned, and asked the sepe seller if she had change, flaunting the thousand naira. She was a young woman In her twenties, bleached, and chewing gum. She said no instantly.

Baba Kekere saw her, and screamed. She jumped in surprise, and opened her mouth to buttress that fact. He stood up, and asked what she was doing in his area. She pointed at the oranges in the woman’s hands, and said they were looking for change. Baba Kekere paid for the oranges, and asked where she was going. He was beside her now, holding the oranges. She just waved in the direction of Ikeja. He was dressed in what looked like new ankara, which hugged him, barely holding on to his postruding guts.

Owo blow stood up too, and greeted her feebly. He obviously had reservations. Again, Muna expected that – he was cursed with a brain, even if little – unlike his partner that was all brawn. It might just be hard getting anything off Baba Kicker with Owo blow present. She had to act fast. Muna returned his pleasanteries, smiling broadly. Others seated around just watched the three of them, no doubt wondering what their two friends could have in common with the lovely woman.

She turned to Baba Kekere, and asked where she could get a bus going to Ikeja. He told her she would have to cross to the other side. She looked there, and feigned confusion. He offered to take her there. She smiled again, and said her goodbye to Owo blow, who just nodded, and watched as they left.

She allowed him hold her hand as they crossed, shouting and cursing at cars. When they got to the other side, they walked back a bit, as he cleared the road for her. She snuggled closely to him, brushing her bosom against his ribs. He suddenly stopped, and told her this was where she would get a bus going to Ikeja, and they only had to wait. She nodded, and thanked him.

Her phone rang, jolting both of them. She brought it out, and checked the screen. She retired it to her jean pocket immediately. She informed him a friend just sent her a message that he would soon pass the area. She asked for the name of where they were. He told her after the bridge. She nodded, took her phone out, and sent a message. She thanked him, and told him she would wait for the person to come, and pick her. He was almost there, she informed him. She was still holding on to him, when she offered for them to go and wait at the nearby eatery, instead of standing by the road side.

He grumbled something about friends waiting for him, but she was able to convinced him it won’t take long. As they moved towards the eatery, he asked how the guy would know they were at the eatery. She moved closer, and told him not to worry, as that was the reason she had a phone. He nodded, liking the feeling of a beautiful girl in his arms.

———————————————————

Shola took his bath, remaining under the showers for some time, hoping the water would cool his nerves. He was beginning to fear for his family. First, those two fools, and now Muna visiting him at his house, unannounced. There was also the note, and the fact someone offered his daughter a ride. And there was also the issue of the file, stolen at Busola’s place. Things were getting out of hand, fast, and he was not so sure how he got there, or what to do to get his life back to normal.

Muna scared him too. Everything about her did. From her beauty, to her mysteriousness. She was, that he was sure of, not the average woman. There was something about her, almost like she has seen it all, and nothing fazed her again. What would such a woman want from him, if not his destruction. He stopped the shower, and covered himself with a towel, and stepped out. His room was the closest door to the bathroom, by the right. He opened it, and went inside.

Aimee sat on his bed, with pictures scattered all around her. She was starring at one in particular. The bed was rumbled, and a pillow was even on the floor. It was the pictures he kept in a drawer in his room. He stood there, and called out for Bola, who came running to meet him.

“How did she get hold of those pictures?” He asked her.

“I don’t know, she said, already moving towards Aimee on the bed.

“Then get those pictures together, and put them back in the drawers.”

“Daddy, mummy is beautiful.” His daughter finally said, still starring at the picture in her hand. Shola, and Bola were stunned motionless. Shola moved the distance, and sat with his daughter on the bed. He glanced at the picture in her hands – it was the picture of his wedding day. Her mom, in her white wedding gown did look beautiful. Aimee’s fingers were caressing her face, as she snuggled closer to Shola. His eyes welled instantly.

“This is the man that gave us a ride yesterday.” Bola said, breaking the spell. A picture was in her hands too.

“Your friend I told you about.” She stood up from where she knelt picking up pictures, and walked over to him, passing him the picture.

“Are you sure?” He managed to say.

“Very sure.” She assured him. He mouth opened, closed, and then opened again. He couldn’t believe what he just heard. He looked one more time at the picture in his hand. Michael starred back at him.

 

To be continued…

———————–

Olanrewaju Odesomi is an accounting graduate, and a Certified Customer Care Professional. He is a dreamer who dances to his own music, and whose peak is yet to be conquered. Guilty of writing.