Tamie
was ready. He liked a little hanging out once in a while. He certainly wasn't
a party freak like his cousin. And being a big boy in the big boys league you
certainly stayed close to your class. He'd offered to pick up Justice on his
way. It was a nice cool Sunday afternoon and Olu the celebrant was an
old chum of theirs. They had all gone to the
same university, and had run into each other
at Harvard, when he'd gone to do his masters in business management. That had
strengthened their relationship.
|
Olu
now worked for a foreign multinational company based here in Nigeria. He had on
a jean and tee shirt completed with a long sleeve jean shirt and a matching
slip on. By the time he got to Justice's house, he was just waking up.
"You
look peaked," Tamie observed, staring at his cousin, who looked like he
could do with some rest. "Yes, you're right, I had a long night at the
club and got in by 4a.m. Look, I don't think I
can make the
party, just have a swell time."
Tamie
stared at him smiling.
He got back
into his car and zoomed off. He'd made up his mind he was going to give himself a
good time. As he joined the Kingsway road in Ikoyi, he allowed the speedometer
to climb. The party venue was at Lekki, and he hoped to move here by next year
when he would have completed his duplex building. He slotted in a Michael
Bolton cassette. Fifteen minutes later, he was at V G.C, the venue of the
party.
Despite
being friends with Olu, he didn't know much about him. The little he knew he'd
heard in snatches. Olu's father was a professor and lectured at the university
of Lagos, but his uncle was a former chief judge. A very prestigious family, he
thought as he narrowed his way through the gate and slowed down his driving to
try and locate the house.
When
he located it, he parked his car alongside other posh looking cars which he
suspected were guests as well. He stole a look at his watch as he got down from
the car. He certainly was late, very late. He made his way upstairs. Music
could be heard blaring from the speakers. The door was open, he let himself in,
and the smoke from cigarettes hit him first.
"Ol'boy,
what took you so long? The party don finish now," Olu cried, sauntering
towards him. They shook hands. "Sorry man, had to do house runs," he
lied. "0'1 boy, this place is full."
Kingsley,
another friend exclaimed coming to him and slapping him on the shoulder.
"Come and meet Ebuka and Diane ... " he finished.
"When
did Ebuka and Diane get back from the States? I didn't know they were
around" "Of course, you won't now," Kingsley, retorted.
"You spend too much time on your own."
"Haven't
you heard? Well, its stale now, they are getting married."
"Oh,"
was all Tamie could mutter. His friend is getting married while he hasn't even
found himself a bride.
"You
nko? You no carry handbag?" Louis, another of their friend queried.
"Na only you remain o! At least, Kinsley, Jude and Chiedu are
married." He finished
He
just shrugged his shoulder for an answer and left the room. Twenty minutes
later, a lady walked towards them carrying a plate of food, followed by Olu.
They
were chatting. She stopped in front of him and the smile on her face froze on
seeing him. Her eyes glowed. He recognized her immediately and from the look on
her face, he couldn't help feeling she would have preferred to have smashed or
emptied the plate of food on his head. She handed the plate of food to him with
shaking hands and before Olu could introduce, she turned swiftly and walked off.
"Waow!
What was that?" Olu exclaimed, starring after his cousin's retreating
back. "What's wrong with that girl? Acting in such a rude manner," he
exclaimed. "Its okay," Tamie chipped. Suddenly he lost his appetite.
Everybody around him was engaged in conversations. His mind played back the
event that had taken place in his office, few days ago.
Such
a vibrant lady, so full of life. He realized it certainly was a small world and
he'd need to apologize to her for his behaviour. "Who's she?' he asked
Olu.
"Na
my sister, my first cousin. Don't mind her, na small picking dey worry
am." He explained, mistaking his expression for annoyance. He continued,
"You dey vex Tamie?"
"No
... no," Tamie was quick to reassure him. "She's pretty, you sure
have pretty cousins." Olu smiled, getting up from his seat. "Yes, I
do. "She's young, just twenty-one. No go look for am oh," he warned
and Tamie smiled.
He
needed to find her. Then he saw her standing at the balcony with two girls,
dancing to the music. He stood transfixed, watching her. Then, he stepped into
the balcony and the beautiful smile on her face froze.
"Hi,
I can see you girls are having a nice time," he commented.
The
other girls lightened, up on seeing him, each wondering who was going to end up
catching this big fish that oozed nothing but money.
"Yes
we are, it's a lovely party," one of them replied.
Latie
had already turned, a frown on her face.
"Please
excuse ... "she didn't get to finish or escape as Tamie grabbed her hand,
his grip vice like. Immediately, Ada and Lovi took the cue and stole out.
"What
do you want, you shameless man? Let me go ... I don't even know what you're
doing here," she hissed; glaring at him, anger smoldering in her
eyes.
He
stared at her smiling. "We need to talk ... " he murmured in a low
voice.
"There's
nothing to say," she snapped. "leave my hand, you're hurting
me," she protested. "Not until you listen to what I have to
say," he argued.
Seeing
how adamant he was, she sighed. "Okay, sail away, you've a minute"
"I'm sorry for the way I treated you in my office.
Please
forgive me and have lunch with me tomorrow," he pleaded. Latie stared at
him, her mouth wide open in surprise.
"Who
are you fooling, Mr. Big man? You're just feeling guilty, but thanks I'm not
interested in your lunch.
The
impudence, you don't even know if I'll accept your apology."
"Please," he said releasing her wrist, which, she began to rub
immediately.
"Please
have lunch with a lonely man so I can apologize properly," he said.
"And
if I refuse?" she asked. "Then, I'll have to come and get you,"
he threatened.
The
way he said it showed he could go that length. She shook her head.
"I'll
think about it, she said.”Do you stay here?" he asked.
"Of
what business is it to you? "she queried and regretted it quickly when she
saw his hurt look.
"Yes,
I thought I'd stay with Olu and look around for a place for IT." He
smiled. "That’s good news. So I'll pick you up tomorrow by 1p.m., is that
okay?" he asked.
She
glared at him. " I said I'd think about it," she hissed and walked
away, so fast that he couldn't stop her. That moment, Olu joined him.
"Its
like you fancy my sister, take am easy, im papa na chief judge o" he said.
Tamie smiled, "Don't worry, she'll be safe with me and like her."
"Well
don't mess with her, "Olu warned as he saw Tamie's eyes trailed
Latie.
Tamie
smiled again, embarrassed. He'd never seen anyone so full of life and energy.
He'd watched her dancing and laughing. He knew he was falling, and falling fast
and he just couldn't help himself. She was magical and held his fascination.
Despite her smallish built of 5ft 5 inches, her lips were her best asset. All
these features went with a beautiful set of full breasts.
In
less than thirty minutes, he was at his place in Ikoyi. Feeling tired and
hungry, he made some toast and poached eggs with a cup of coffee. He'd given
his male servant the weekend off. He would be resuming in the evening.
He
was eating when nanny lulu walked in. He looked up and smiled. "I thought
you'd be fast asleep by now and I didn't want to wake you up," he
explained.
"I
was waiting up for you. Why didn't you call me to help you prepare
something?" she probed.
He
smiled sheepishly, looking up.
"I
didn't want to disturb you, ma." he said. He called her ma, she had taken
the place of his mum, and giving him all the love he needed. She had been
married for years but was unable to bear children. The marriage had crashed
when her husband ran off with another woman he'd impregnated. Since then, he'd
become the focus of her life. According to her, he was the child she never had.
They shared a special kind of relationship.
"What's
the matter, boy? You look upset," she said, having observed the play of
emotions on his face as he ate in silence. "Nothing ma, just
thinking"
And
nanny lulu smiled. "Let me guess ... you met a girl and she's giving you a
tough time?"
He
looked up and smiled sheepishly.
That was nanny lulu for you. She knew him too
well. She could read him like a book. “You’re in love boy. Your silence and
smile confirmed it, “she argued.
“No
…… no…” he cut in. “You are, just be careful. Make sure she is a good girl. I
want you to be happy.” She advised. He stared at her in silence, his mind back
to Latie the one who had captured his heart.
************************************
Barrister
Collins Chuba was reading the Sunday paper when the maid came in to announce
that he had visitors. Grumbling, he wondered who could be coming to disturb his
Sunday morning, then, he remembered he'd asked some people to see him. He stood
up and made for the living room. Immediately he walked in three men sitting
down stood up.
"Morning
sir!" they echoed. Chief Collins nodded and sat down. He wore a
look of irritation.
"Boys,
what can do for you? This is Sunday morning, I want to rest." "Chief,
its my boys, they were caught by your men at the Falomo police
checkpoint."
"Hmm,"
sighed Chief Collins silently, looking from one face to the other.
"Where
are they now?" he queried. "They're at Alagbon, chief. About five of
them, please, you've got to help me out." He turned to one of the men who
handed him a suitcase, which he lifted up and placed on the coffee table in
front of chief Collins Chief opened the suitcase revealing neatly arranged
dollar bills. He frowned and shut the case.
"So
you're bribing me, eh?" he thundered. "No sir ... no chief ... "
the guy stuttered. "It's a gift sir, a small gift."
"Hmmm,"
chief grumbled. "Call me tomorrow in the office. I'll see what can be done
about your boys," he finished, rising up to his feet and signaled the end
of the meeting. After the men had gone Chief picked up brief case, and entered
into his study.
As he placed it in his safe, there was a knock on his study
door. It opened and Justice walked in, looking resplendent in a white brocade
kaftan.
"Morning,
dad," he greeted. Chief looked up and smiled. "Son, it’s you. How are
you?"
"Fine,
dad," he replied and settled into a seat facing the desk. "You're
early," his father said, staring intently at him.
"Yes
sir," Justice said, looking everywhere but his dad. He was trying to avoid
the old man's scrutinizing gaze.
This
particular meeting was a tradition, a compulsory one every Sunday. He had
particularly decided to come early today because he wanted to discuss something
with the old man. He'd decided that it was nearing time to the start of plans
to eliminate Tamie.
"So
what's it this time?" the old man asked. Justice was irritated. This was a
routine question his dad always asked him as if the old man hadn't made it a
law for him to be in the house every Sunday. "Nothing much," he
replied.
It
was also his customary reply. "Well son, the pot is beginning to heat up.
You'd
better get ready to put it down or it'll explode."
"Yes
father, I will very soon," he replied, a smile finally breaking on his
face as they both stared at each other. The older, wise and cunning, the
younger full of guts and dying to please his father ...
Will Justice and his father succeed
with their evil plans? Will Tamie and his sister, Ella, ever find love and
happiness? And the million dollar question; will they ever meet again?
Find out the answers to all these and
more, Next week when the enthralling sequel to this story
titled, 'NO PLACE TO HIDE', hits
the stands.
DON'T MISS IT!
THE END...
THANKS
FOR READING
PLEASE
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