© Nissi Adeola
Richard drove so fast and he had to quickly get a hold of himself. He mentally started doing his relaxation technique and he was happy when he started calming down a bit. He raced on top speed to the hospital hoping that he would get there on time and do some things that would take his mind away from the past few minutes. He couldn’t believe that his mother had the effrontery to come back after close to 22 years. To do what? Claim ownership after he had grown without contributing anything to his life? No, he thought, she must have underrated what she did.
He finally got to the hospital safe and sound and he marched to his office in anger. The people in the hospital stared at him surprised; that was the first time they would see him that angry. As he got close to his office, he met Tony and knowing his friend very well, Tony knew something was wrong somewhere. He followed him into his office without a word and gave him a minute to calm down before he questioned him. “What’s wrong Richard? Is dad ok?” he asked becoming worried. “That’s the problem. He is too ok”, Richard answered. “What do you mean by that?” Tony asked, confused. Richard was pacing from one end of the office to the other making Tony dizzy, “if he hadn’t been too fine, he would not have allowed my mum into the house”, he said still pacing. “What? What are you talking about?” Tony asked shocked. “Exactly what I am saying, I got there after calling you worrying my freaking self that something might be wrong with dad but on getting there, I saw my own flesh and blood mum staring me in the face”. Tony stared at him open-mouthed not able to say anything. Richard finally sat down to the relief of Tony who was tired of following him around with his eyes. “what did you do about it?” tony finally asked “Nothing, and I am not going to do anything about it”, he said and relaxed on his chair. Switching on to more important things he asked, “What of the psychologist?” “Yeah, she is here already and is attending to Deji right now. You just need to see her, she got me tied to her little finger immediately I set my eyes on her. Believe me, she is a sight to behold”, he said already enjoying the change of topic. Richard looked unconcerned and said sternly, “that is none of my concern”. Tony shook his head and said, “unless you are not the Richard I know, you would have the same opinion as me when you see her”, he said grinning. Richard kept quiet and made a mental note to avoid the second floor as much as possible till the end of the day
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I looked at my first patient as he sat in his wheel chair in the very large hall-like place which was decorated to the brim. It looked so heavenly and I adored the place myself. As I pushed him around I kept a light conversation going until he relaxed totally and I was glad. He was extremely taken by the drawings and art works so I decided to use this first time to familiarize myself with him and make him enjoy himself. I noticed that he should be a little older than I am but I decided to treat him as a friend. We explored the art works together laughing freely at every joke I made. He looked so full of life and no one would have believed that he didn’t know anything about himself. I noted his extreme enjoyment and the little things he said unconsciously and planned on working on it. I was very happy that just on the first day, we had achieved things that would have taken a week to achieve. I looked at my wrist watch and was alarmed when I saw that the two hours session was almost up. He noticed this and made a funny remark and we both laughed. I pushed his wheel chair as we headed out. He said something about wanting to walk by himself but I told him that he would not do that until the doctor permits. We got back to is room and he was a little bit relunctant to let me go, I had also enjoyed myself extremely and was feeling a little bit attached to him but smiled and told him that it would just be like the twinkle of an eye and the next thing he would know is that we would be having another session again the next day and that in no time, his memory would come flooding back. His parents had thanked me profusely and I left the room for my office. I was about to climb the steps leading to the second floor when I stumbled on the most breath-taking sight I had ever placed my eyes on. I was there like forever admiring the most beautiful craft I had ever seen when all of a sudden, it moved.
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Tolu sat down comfortably in his house looking very comfortable and no one would have been able to think that he had a hand in the case that was being viewed in the television. He watched as the TV brought to life times without number the issue of Tunji’s murder and he hissed audibly. ‘If it had been a commoner, the case would not be shown more than once o, but now that it has happened to them, they are disturbing our eyes and ears with the story. e o tii ri nkan kan”, he thought to himself. He was so confident that he could not be a suspect at all because he made sure that he never visited Tunji in his house so no one could connect him with the case. He switched off the TV and went out to get a good meal at the nearest eatery. Now I have some cash, let me spend it, he thought as he stepped out of the house.
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Mr. Badmus walked on his street very slowly, carefully eating the gala with him. As he walked, he looked back at his life and shook his head pitifully. He looked around him hating his environment the more. If he had been told by a sorcerer that he would still be in this retched environment by now, he would not have believed it. He got to his house and stretched his body on the chair immediately he entered. He dozed off and started dreaming of strangling Belina. He already had his hand on her neck and was squeezing hard when a knock brought him back. He hissed irritated and made for the door. He did not know why he had to be disturbed from such a pleasant dream so he did not bother to ask who was there, he just opened the door with a killing glare on his face. Immediately he saw a familiar uniform, his countenance changed to a frightened one. “Can I help you sirs?” he said hoping they were on the wrong door. “Yes you obviously can”, the most threatening of them said and brought out his card. “You are under arrest for the murder of Mr. Olatunji James and you have a right to remain silent cos anything you say here would be used against you in…” “What?” Mr. Badmus screamed, “I don’t know anything about that”. “shut up man, now, move”, one of the officers ordered as they handcuffed him and pushed him out of the house into the waiting black maria.
*****
When you love God, obey Him and do His will, you don’t have to fight your battles yourself; He would fight for you without you asking Him to.
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Richard stood so still that he felt glued to the spot. He had left his office to check on some of his patients but saw someone that made him question if he was daydreaming. He stood so still until she turned and he all he could do was gawp ridiculously with his mouth open. He never imagined that he would see the ‘lady in blue’ again but here he was staring at someone who was a replica of her. He thought that not even twins could be that similar and that made him definite that she was actually the one he was staring at flesh and blood. She was the same person only that the distance had undermined his view and scrutiny of her. He had been able to take in her appearance that day at the concert even though it wasn’t easy but within close range, he felt that even in a thousand years, he would not have finished feeding on her beauty. ‘I need to get out of here fast’, he thought, ‘but not after I find out what her name is’. He noticed that he hadn’t moved a muscle and also noticed that she hadn’t as well so he was a little bit pacified so he moved towards her. He immediately saw the look of surprise and wondered what might have prompted it. He got to her and said breathlessly, “hello there”.
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Mr. Badmus yelled, pleaded and did all sort of things just so that the officers would understand and leave him alone but they did not listen, instead, they beat him up. He was the object of ridicule as everyone on his street and beyond came out to watch the latest movie display only that it was real and not an act. Some people were secretly recording the incident which would make a good post on net. They got to the police station and dragged mr. badmus into the cell. He struggled like a mad man but he was held with expert hands. He continued shouting ‘I am innocent’ but it was more like ‘I am guilty’ in the ears of the officers. They threw him into the cell and he fell down crying profusely and it took just a moment before he noticed the people looming over. He lifted up his head and the first person he saw was a scarred guy grinning down at him wickedly with his toothless mouth.
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I stood gawping as the unbelievable man approached. I still found it amazing that he had actually moved. He had stood like a statue and I had praised the talented artist who brought the craft to light but when he moved I was extremely surprised. He approached me and silly me, I hadn’t expected that he would talk, much less to me but when I saw his mouth moving I was taken aback once more. He said something but my mind was preoccupied thinking about nothing or everything and I felt like disappearing until he touched my hand and I was shocked, in fact, I could swear he was electrically charged because it was like touching a life wire but it was enough to bring me back to normal.
“Are you ok? Do you need a glass of water?” he asked looking worried. I mentally slapped myself for my behavior and willed myself against thinking about that voice. ‘I have no business with the male gender’, I thought and when I remembered Kelvin and my dad, my voice became sharp immediately. “I am fine thank you”, I said and made to leave but he stopped me. “Wait, what are you doing here? I have been wanting to see you”, he said urgently. “What do you mean? Have we met?” I asked surprised at his statement. He smiled and said, “Yes and no. I saw you at Heaven’s Gate concert”, he said grinning widely. I flushed. There is something about that face that I could not understand. It on its own portrayed a man of strength and determination but there were a lot of things there that I could not understand. He seemed unreadable and unpredictable; even with my psychological mindset and training, I knew that it would not be very easy to read him though I could sense he must have gone through some rough roads in life. I noticed that we have been staring at ourselves for some minutes and I quickly said, “it is nice seeing you sir but I must get back to my office sir”.
“Oh, I am sorry, where do you work”, he asked looking interested. “Here”, I said casually. “Here?” he asked incredulously and his face shifted to a mischievous smile that I wondered if he thought I was joking. “Yes here, I am the new psychologist here”, I said smiling. His smile faded and he gasped, “Miss Belina Badmus”, he stated and I was surprised that he knew my name. I wanted to pursue it but I knew that I had to run for my dear life because this guy was definitely something from another planet. He stood there frozen to that spot for the second time that day and I quickly muttered something and scrambled up towards my office leaving him there.
I got to my office and for the first time, I breathed well. The recent days of my life just seemed to be loaded with unexpected things. I recalled the face which have become pasted on my memory and wondered how God could have come up with such craft. I had thought that Kelvin was the most handsome guy I had come across, that is apart from Tony who is also very handsome. For the first time since the concert, I remembered Kelvin and his betrayal and since I was not having any other patient, I allowed myself to dwell on it.
I had accepted Kelvin into my life after close to one year of friendship. He was a very charming guy and most of my female course mates thought we were more than friends and they said so aloud. They were very jealous and they did all sorts to shift his attention towards themselves but Kelvin did not even notice them. He asked me out and after about a month of persuasion on his side, I finally gave him the chance to win my love. I did not love him and I made that clear to him but he was sure that he could make me love him. I did not have it in mind to love anyone man and that feeling had been growing in me ever since my tender age. I had watched secretly as my dad beat up my mother. We were very poor then but we did not have to bother about landlord fees because the house belonged to us. My dad would go out, return drunk and beat up my mother mercilessly. Whenever he tried to lay his hands on me, my mother would protect me and receive the punishments on my behalf. I despise the male folks since then thinking that they were all the same but Kelvin came and after about one year, I was sure that he was not like my dad and after necessary probation, I accepted him. I had put some rules in place though and the major of them all were: he should not smoke, drink alcoholic drinks and tell me lies but the one on top was that we were not to have sex ever except we got married. He said he does not do any of them and that he would respect me and keep us clean.
We dated for six months and so many times he almost lured me into his bed but I refused blatantly. We fought over it sometimes but I always forgave him because I felt he was a guy who was finding it hard to control his urges but something happened one week after my mother’s death that left me completely broken. I called him immediately my mother died seeking consolation but he only replied a cold “I am sorry about that”. I was very upset and angry at his nonchalant attitude but I kept it to myself and consoled myself. I locked myself up in my bedroom at home not coming out at all and my dad did not give a damn. Prisca had been my guardian angel then and had come over to my place to stay with me. Even though I was happy she was there for me, I had already fallen in love with Kelvin and I needed the comfort that only he could give but he was nowhere to be found. He did not call and I refused to call him. Exactly one week after my mother’s disappearance into the world of the unknown, he called me and asked me to come over to his house. I was elated when I saw his call that I did not confront him about his behavior but when I got there, I got the shock of my life.
*****
My head made me feel a little bit uneasy when I was about getting to his apartment. I had only felt that way when I got to the hospital and was told that my mother had passed on. I ignored it thinking that my uneasiness was due to the recent occurrences in my life and the fact that I had not seen Kelvin for some time.
I knocked the door like four times and the door was later opened by a girl. She looked like a girl of 18yrs there about but she was putting on a ‘see me through’ gown which just managed to cover her butt. The gown filmed her naked body underneath and I saw Kelvin sitting comfortably on the three seater couch; the only chair in his extra large one room apartment. The girl left me at the door which I have not left since my entrance and went to join him on the couch, holding him so tenderly and curving around him like a mermaid. I saw my world shattering before me as I looked at them both and saw the shameful bulge in Kelvin’s trousers in disgust.
He took his eyes away from the harlot he was caressing and faced me. “Come in and close the damned door, are you just gonna stand there like a statue?” he asked and I looked on not leaving that spot. I wanted to leave but I just could not move a muscle.
He laughed sarcastically and eyed me, “see yourself? You don’t know what you have until you lose it. You are there staring at us and can’t do anything but stare annoyingly. This beautiful queen here has been giving me all that you have refused to give me for the past six months. Look, I don’t love her but I love you, just like you did not love me in the beginning but I have noticed that you now have feelings for me”, he paused and I just looked on like a fool that I was. “I know you just lost your mother, I am sorry. Now, you need the petting that only I… can give and I am willing to have you back if you would consent to satisfying me in bed in return. Aaaah, you are selfish o, body no be stone now, and you dey do shakara. Who know if person never visit your prison before”, he concluded and his prostitute laughed out loud and he silenced her with a kiss. I just stood there, not believing what I was seeing and hearing. The love that had been growing in me died instantly and hate followed immediately. I did not say anything at all through out I didn’t think I would have the strength to. “So, what would it be Belina, make it snappy, I have some unfinished business here”, he said winking at me. I walked up to the couch slowly and before they could predict my action, I carried the extremely full cup of gulder and poured it into Kelvin’s widely opened eyes. Kelvin started struggling with his eyes while the little bitch stood to challenge me. I sent her crashing into the bed with the force of the slap I dashed her. I did not say a word as I left that place a changed person.
I dried my face with my face towel and remembered my own dad’s action just one week after Kelvin’s but did not dwell on it again. I had promised myself not to dwell on the past again especially on the unpleasant events there-in and I was even surprised that I had shed tears earlier. I remembered the striking guy I just saw barely minutes ago and noticed that I did not have his name but I was glad because the male folks to me have nothing to offer except sadness. ‘They are just joy killers’.
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Richard had finally left the stairs like a lost soul after his ‘lady in blue’ had finally disappeared from sight. He noticed sadly that his problem had just doubled and there was actually no simple way out of this. ‘how would I work under the same roof with that?” he asked himself again.
He went through his patients half mindedly. After cross-checking them to be sure there is nothing out of place, he went back to his office to dwell on what had happened just minutes ago.
As he sat down on the unofficial couch in his office which he laid on most of the time, he just could not do anything but laugh and smile. He remembered the way she had been looking at him when she turned in his direction and he laughed out loud. She had been looking at him as if he had been hawking groundnut, wearing an expensive suit in the hospital. He laughed at the imagination and moved on to the next thing that happened which was the surprised gaze; it had been as if he had suddenly grown three heads and a tail. But oh… she looked so adorable that way; in fact, she looked so devastatingly beautiful everyway. He remembered the fact that she had been abducted just days ago and couldn’t really blame the guy for wanting to take her away from everyone’s prying eyes even though he had the strange urge to beat that bastard to stupor.
He remembered her appearance in the concert which was permanently pasted in his memory but knew that what he had seen today would not allow him any other thought apart from hers. ‘she is painfully beautiful’, he thought and just when he started fighting against the thoughts, Tony walked in without knocking and found him grinning all by himself which he quickly wiped out. “Hey man, are you having problems with your teeth?” Tony asked jokingly. He smiled, “did I complain about them to you?” “You don’t have to. Now, what is it that is so funny?” he asked “Do you always have to find out everything?” Richard asked knowing that tony would not let the matter lie until he had ploughed it out of him. “Yes, that is what friends are for” Tony recited his memory verse grinning from ear to ear. Richard sighed; “it is…” he paused slightly, “Belina” he dropped. Tony was wide-eyed when he heard that name and he later started laughing his ass out. “What is so funny now? Cut it out”. Richard said already sorry he had said anything. Tony started cutting out his laughter bit by bit, “I told you… oh Richy, you would always be the Richy I know no matter what you say and how much you deny it. Now, what do you think about her”. Richard hissed and said, “You are a rogue” “Uhn, I have always known that. I am all ears” he said expectantly. “For once I your life tony, you are right only that she is not real. I mean… she does not look real. She is too beautiful to be true, and guess what, she is the same girl I saw at the concert the other day”, Richard said totally into his speech. Tony left Richard’s opening speech for later. “What girl?” he asked confused. “The one that sang when you were chit chatting with your babe”. Tony was amazed, “so, behind that splendid body, there is a striking voice as well?” “Yes o” Tony tilted his eyes mischievously, “so you were suffering from love at first sight when I saw you grinning right?” he asked winking with his teeth all over the place. Richard was taken aback, “I…ehm… well of course not. Why should i? She is just beautiful and nothing more. Remember, I can’t love anyone”, he replied uncomfortably. Tony coughed aloud unnaturally for some seconds and said, “Really?” Richard got the sarcasm, picked up his pen and threw it at Tony. Before it reached Tony, he was at the door laughing profusely, “You can’t fool me Mr Doctor”; he said and ran out leaving Richard almost the same way he met him, grinning.