[

29/
06,
3:55pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART1

"
TheSHEnani
gans"

Beaut
ywasthedef
ini
ti
onofMor
ayo,
butPenni
les
swast
hebes
tdes
cri
pti
onofwhos
hewasi
n
herowney
es.

Mor ayosatinf r
ontofherlatemot her'
sempt ys hopwhichc ouldpassforacl
osedshop.The
gloryofthes hophaddepar t
ed.Ther ewasnot
hi ngleftinthes tor
e.Hermother'
sdemiseswept
awayever ythingtheyowned. Sheandhers i
blingswer elef
twi thnohope.Thefut
urewas
lookingbleak,thankstothewas tefull
if
ethei
rf atherwasliving.

Adi
owasthecommuni
tydr
unk,
hewass
onot
ori
ousadr
unkt
hatasear
lyas7:
30amhewas
al
readywas
ted.
.
.

"Howcanyoubefi
nelikethi
sandbepoor,Babeyoudeywas
teooo"Morayoremember
edAunty
Glor
ia'
sus
ualwords.
Shewat chedi
nlustasAuntyGl
ori
awasjoyf
ull
ycounti
ngtheNai
ranot
es
shewasmakingf
rom s el
li
ngherwearstwoshopsaway.

AuntyGlori
awasthet hrif
tcl
oths ell
er.InNiger
ia,wheretheybothhailedfrom, thr
iftwears
werepopularl
ycal
led" benddowns elect"or"Secondhand"orbet t
erstil
l"Okrika".
Aunt yGlori
a
wasverypopulari
nt heareaandal otofyounggi rl
sinthevici
nit
ypaidhomaget oher .Att
he
ti
mebeaut i
fulMorayowass i
tti
ngi nfrontofhermot her
'sdeadshop,shedidn'tknowwhyal ot
ofyounggirl
sadoredAunt yGl
oria.Mor ayohoweverhadal waysguess
edi thads omet hi
ngtodo
withherabil
it
ytoselectbeauti
fulsecondhandc lothes.
.
.

Thehor
nofacardrewherbac
kfr
omt
hel
andofhopel
ess
nes
ssheal
wayst
ravel
ledt
o.Shel
ived
dai
lyi
nthatl
and.
..
Morayolookedtowardsthecarwonderi
ngwhatthehor
nwasabout.
AuntyGlor
iawasact
uall
y
theonecall
ingherandt hedri
verwasonlyt
ryi
ngtohel
pbybl
aringt
hehorn.Morayoj
umpedup
fromthegroundwher eshesatwit
hthehopeoflunc
hcomi
ngfromwhateverer
randAunty
Glori
awantedhertor un.

"Osas,
thisisher.
.
.Hernamei sMor ayo,youcansees heisver
ybeautif
ul,seeski
nasindeygl
ow.
Sheneverrubbetteroi
lforbody,seeass hedey,i
fshec omerubbettercreamnko?Younosee
weti
nmedeys ee"(Osas,Checkhers ki
nout,sheisyettoapplygoodoilandcr
eamonherbody,
Canyouimaginehows hewi l
llookwhent hathappens ?)

"Ideys
eeamAunt
yGl
ori
a!"(I
cans
eeAunt
yGl
ori
a)Thebeaut
if
uldar
kski
nnedl
adyi
nthec
ar
sai
d

"Seeassheyell
owl i
keMammywater(Mermaid)
.Smil
egi
veam, makeshes
eeyourwhit
eteet
h.
Osas,
thi
sgirlneverusebet
tert
oot
hpas
te,seeasteet
hwhit
e,youdeys
eeweti
nIdeysee"

"Aunt
y,I
deys
eeamwel
l,butt
hisonegetmi
nd?"(Aunt
y,i
sshes
trongathear
t?)Os
asas
ked

"Thisonehar
dshi
pdons
tronghermi
nd,
herMamadonki
ckbuc
ket
,shef
ordeypl
aybal
lfor
heaven."

"Heaven?Aunt
yGl
ori
a,nayouknowwhodeygoheavenorhel
l"Os
ass
aidl
aughi
ng

"Itoosur
es aynaheavenshegodey,bec
auses
hebegoodper s
on.Nathereas
onI wanhel
pher
daughter
,shegetthreesi
ster
sandtwobrot
hers
,sosheneedallt
hehelpshefi
tget"Aunt
y
Glori
akeptmar ket
ingMorayoli
kes
hewasoneofher"Secondhandwears
"

"Aunt
yGl
ori
a,gi
vemes
omet
imepl
eas
e..
.What
'syourname?"Os
asas
ked

"Mor
a..
.
"Mor
ayowass
ayi
ngbef
oreAunt
yGl
ori
acuti
n..
.
"HernamebeMo'
.
..Shegets
tyl
ishnames
ef.
"Aunt
yGl
ori
asai
d

"Al
ri
ghtMo' ,I
willgetbacktoAunt
yGl
ori
a..
.CanI
takeapi
ctur
eofyou?I
twi
llhel
pmeknow
whereexac
tlytoplaceyou.
"

"Yesma!
"Mor
ayos
aidass
hes
toodf
ort
hepi
ctur
e..
.

"Posewel
lna,Youdon'tknowwheret
hispi
ctureisgoi
ng..
.
"Aunt yGlori
asai
dass
hepus
hedand
bentMorayoi
nt henameofencour
agi
nghert ohavedif
ferentposes
...

Osaswasnotinther ecrui
tmentmood.Shewasdonerecruit
ingfortheyear,plusshewasjust
rec
overi
ngfromamaj orbreakupbutt
hemomentshesightedtheyounggirl,
s heknews hehad
tohaveher
.Hert al
kaboutget ti
ngbackt
oherwasj
ustoneoft hetri
cksofthet rade. HUNTERS
mustNEVERs ounddes per
ate,theonesHUNTEDmustseeitasapr i
vil
egetobeHUNTED. .
.

"So,
prayI
getas
pott
opl
aceyou"Os
ass
aid

Mor
ayodi
dn'
tknowwhats
hewast
alki
ngabout.

"Whatspoti
sthi
sbeaut
if
uldar
kski
nneds
trangert
ryi
ngt
osec
uref
orme?"Mor
ayoas
kedwi
thi
n
her
self
.

"
Tel
lhert
hankyou!
"Aunt
yGl
ori
asai
dtoMor
ayo

"ThankyouMa"Mor
ayos
aid

******
"I
ams
ureyouar
ewonder
ingwhatj
usthappened"Aunt
yGl
ori
aas
kedMor
ayo

Mor
ayonoddedi
ntheaf
fi
rmat
ive.
.
.

"LikeI al
wayssay,youcan'
tbefinel
iket hi
sandbepoor,t
hatAunt yIi
ntr
oduc
edyoutona
correctbiggi
rl
,thehouseweys hedeylivebeli
kemansion,Ideysuppl
yherOkri
ka.
Sheget
plentygirl
sweys hedeyspons
orgoabr oad.Ij
ustwanthertohelpyouooo"

"ThankyouAunt
yGl
ori
a,butc
anI
askaques
tion?"

"Goon,
Ideyhearyou!
"

"Whatwor
kwi
lls
hehel
pmef
ind?"

"Nawomanwor
k!"

Mor
ayo'
ssixteenyearoldmi
ndwast r
yingt
ofi
gur
eoutwhatki
ndofwor
kwasc
all
ed"Woman
wor
k!"
.Wasitwashing,
cooki
ngorwhat?

Tobec
ont
inued.

[
29/
06,
4:04pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART2

"Thes
HEnani
gans
"

"Lef
ty!Lef
ty!"Chi
nedus
hout
edt
ryi
ngt
ocat
chupwi
thSamuelwhohadhi
sear
phonespl
ugged
i
n..
.
Chineduevetuall
ycaughtupwi
thhi
mandi
napl
ayf
ulmanner
,pul
ledoutt
her
ightear
piec
eto
expresshi
sfeignedanger.
.
.

"Guy,st
opus ingt
histhingever
ytime,acarmayhi
tyou!"Chi
nedus
aidpl
ayf
ull
ybuthi
ssmi
le
gradual
lyfadedonseeingthefaceLeft
ygavehim.Chi
neduwonder
edwhathehaddonewr
ong,
andinsecondshewasabl etofi
gureitout.
..

"Whic
hkainplaybethi
s?"(Whatki
ndofpl
ayi
sthi
s?)Samuelwhoi
spopul
arl
yref
err
edt
oas
Lef
tysai
dinanger.
.
.

"Chi
nedu,I
don'tli
ket
his
,doyouknowhowlongi
ttookmetosaveupfort
hisearpi
ece,
Guyt
his
ear
piec
ecostN1500Nai
raanditt
ookmefi
vemonthstosuc
ess
full
ysaveupforit
!"

Chinedu'smouthhungopen, onecouldnott
ellwhatshockedhimt hemost.Wasitthef
actt
hat
Leftyshoutedathi
mf orunknowinglydamagingtheri
ghtearpieceorWashes hockedt
hati
t
tookLefty;themostt
alentedstri
keronthei
rteamf i
vemont hstogathert
hesumofN1500.

"Yous
aidwhat
?"Chi
neduas
kedwant
ingt
ocl
ari
fy

"Youhear
dmec
orr
ect
ly,
Isavedupt
obuyt
his
..
."Lef
tys
aidpr
oudl
ywi
tht
hes
ens
e

ofac
hievement
.

Chi
nedus
hookhi
sheadi
npi
tyashepul
ledouthi
swal
let
.Chi
nedupul
ledoutabouts
ixN1000
not
es.

"Youc
anhavei
tmybr
other
,damagi
ngyourear
piec
ewasnoti
ntent
ional"

Left
ycouldnothidehi
sanger
.Hefel
tins
ult
edbyt
hes
poi
ltbr
atwhos
epar
ent
sbr
ibedhi
sway
int
otheteamt hr
eemonthsago.
"Iamnotabeggarnei
theramI aMummy' sboywhoget smoneybynotworking.
Iworkver
y
hardtomakemyownmoney. I
wor katconstr
ucti
onsit
es,Ifet
chwat
erforpeopl
eandiwash
carst
oearnmymoney,s owhens omeonespoil
swhatbelongstome,
it'
snotaboutt
hemoney
butit
saboutmysweat
. Brot
her,don'
teverins
ultwit
hmoney. "

"I
..
.
was
..noti
nsul
ti
ngyou,
iwasonl
ytr
yingt
ohel
p"

"I
don'
tneedyourhel
p"

"I
ams
orr
y!"Chi
nedus
aid.

"So,
whydi
dyous
topme"

"Nevermi
nd!
"Chi
nedurepl
ied.Hewasgoingtoinvi
tehimoverf
orlunchordi
nnerathi
shouse.
Hehadtol
dhi
smothers
omuc haboutLef
ty,
thatsheaskedhi
mtoinvit
ehimoverfordi
nner.

ChineduwasLefty'
sfan.Eversi
ncehes tar
tedplayi
ngwi tht
heTigerscl
ub,hehadf oundLeft
y's
tal
entunrival
ed.Hegott hename"Lefty"fromhisabil
it
ytoscor
eawes omelywithhislef
tfoot.
Theleftf
ootwasLef t
y'sass
et.Chi
nedu'sadmirati
onofhimwass ogenuinehedesperatel
y
wantedtobef ri
endswithhimbutforthreemont hs,Lef
tygavehimthec ol
dshoulder.
..

"Youstoppedme,
damagedmyear
phonet
otel
lmes
omet
hing,
thens
uddenl
yyout
ellmenever
mind"

"That
'sbec
aus
eyouar
eal
readyl
ooki
ngof
fended"

"Guy,
saywhatyouhavet
osay!
"

"Wel
l,I
want
edt
oinvi
teyouoverf
ordi
nneratmyhome"
Lef
ty'
sexpr
ess
ionc
oul
dnotber
eadf
ort
hef
irs
tthi
rtys
econdsashel
ookedatChi
nedu.

"Lef
ty.
.
.Ar
eyouokay?"Chi
neduas
ked

Lef
tys
lappedChi
neduhar
dandbegant
orus
hathi
mwi
ths
ever
albl
ows
..
.

"Youdar einsultmebyi nvi

ti
ngmet odinnerassomeonewhoi shungry.Youar
ec razy,
Youdey
kolo"Left
ydec idedtolosehisc
ool,hewasdonekeepi nghiscoolespeci
all
ywheni thad
anythingtodowi thChinedu.Hi
sf r
eshs kin,
hisgrammararti
culati
on,hi
sbeauti
fulwhitet
eeth,
hissmoothf acehadbeenani ssueforhimevers i
ncehejoi
nedt hem.Hewasangr yathimfornot
li
vingthedisadvantagedlif
ehewasl i
ving.

CoachWil
drant owardstheboys,heknewLef tyhar dl
ylos
thiscool,butwhenhedoes ,itwas
al
waysdangerous.Hewoul dtreatthes ubj
ectofhisangerli
keanani malandt hesubj
ectin
quest
ionwasanans wertohissi
lentprayers.Chinedu'
sParenthadbeenhelpingt hecl
ubever
si
ncethei
rsonjoinedthr
eemont hsbac kandf r
omt helookofthings
,thefuturewaslooking
bri
ght.

Chinedu'
sFatherwhowasar ic
hOi lmerchantwasinter
estedi
npushi
ngtheirc
lubtoan
i
nternati
onallevelbecauseofhisSon'
sinvolvementbutherewasLef
tyabouttobr
eakthe
bonesofthei
rpas spor
tt ogr
eatheights
.

"Lef
ty.
.
.st
opi
t.
..
Lef
tygetof
fhi
m!"Coac
hsc
reamedf
romaf
arasher
acedt
owar
dst
heguys
..
.

*****

Chinedunurs
edhiswoundi
nfr
ontofhi
smi
rror
.Hewonder
edwhathehads
aidwr
ongl
ytohave
att
ractedsuc
hbit
ternes
sfr
omLeft
y.

"Ther
eiss
omet
hingdef
ini
tel
ywr
ongwi
thhi
m.I
bel
ieves
omet
hingi
seat
inghi
mup.
"Chi
nedu
t
houghtaswhathef
eltf
orLef
tywaspi
tyi
nst
eadofanger
.

"
God,
hel
pmet
ohel
phi
m!"Chi
nedus
aidashi
smi
ndr
anwi
ldf
ori
deasonwayst
oas
sis
tLef
ty.

******

Left
ybouncedt
owardst
he"Bac
kyard"
.*Bac
kyard*wasnottheli
ter
albackyardofahouse.
It
wasahiddenpl
acef
orboysi
ntheghett
otohangout.
Alotofcri
meswer ealwaysconc
luded
ther
e.

Leftydi
dn'tknowwhatwaspushi
nghimtotheBACKYARD thatnightaf
teravoidi
ngthepl
ace
foroversi
xmont hs
.Hehadsworetoavoi
dthebac
kyar
d,butChineduhadbr oughtoutt
hebeast
inhimagain.

"Lef
ty,
youdonc
omebac
kagai
n"anunf
ami
li
arvoi
ces
aidf
romt
hedar
k

"St
rikerofl
if
e!I
t'
sgoodt
oseeyouher
e"Anot
hervoi
ces
aid

"Lef
ty,
yourc
oac
hknows
ayyouc
omeher
e?"Oneoft
hedr
unksas
ked.
.
.

Leftypausedforawhil
etothi
nkaboutwhatt hedrunkhads ai
d. I
twasbesthet
urnedbackat
thatpointsohewouldnotl
osethissecondchancewit
hCoac h.
..Herememberedhowaftera
randombl oodtes
thadbeenc ar
riedoutandcodeinewasf
oundi nhissys
tem,Coachhadbeen
disappoi
ntedinhimandbenchedhimf ormostofthel
astseason.

"Seewhoi
sher
e!"Kays
aidons
eei
ngLef
ty.

Ri
li
wanl
ookedbac
kands
awLef
ty.
.
.
"Tal
kaboutt
hedevi
landhes
howsup"

Lef
tywal
kedupt
ohi
sol
dteammat
esandr
eal
izedt
her
ewasat
hir
dper
son.
.
.

"MrWisdom, t
hisi
sourthi
rdf
riendweweret
ell
ingyouabout,hei
sthebes
tstr
ikerar
ound.You
askanyfoot
balll
overar
oundherefort
hebes
tstri
kerandthenametheywil
lgi
veyouisLef
ty."
Kaysai
d

Kaycoul
dseeLeft
ywasnoti
nthemoodforanychi
tchatandheneededhi
mtobe.
Theman
si
tti
nginfr
ontoft
hemwaswhothei
rli
veshavebeenwaiti
ngfor
.

"Lefty,
thisisMrWi sdom.HeisaTal
entscout
.Heisanint
ernat
ionalagentthathelpsf
orei
gn
clubsscoutforgoodplayers
,hewastheonethats
c out
edRobertoforMayorClub..
Checkout
theirpi
cturetogether.
..
"

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:06pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART3

"TheSHEnani
gans
"

Osaswalkedi
ntot
heShenani
ganCoven,shewasbubbli
ngwit
hexc
itement.
Shewasaboutt
ohi
t
abigj
ackpot.
Aunt
yGlori
ahadjus
tgivenherabigOranges
hewasgoingtosuc
kdry.

Wi s
domhadgoti nearl
ierthanOsas,
hesatbyhisownCovendeskwithhi
s" STARSEARCHER"
device,
hewass t
ari
ngstudious
lyatthes
creenashesear
chedconti
nuousl
yf oranewand
untappedstar
.TheWor l
dwasget t
ingsoempty,i
twasbecomingver
ydiff
iculttof
indunt
apped
starsamongstthechi
drenofmen.

"Hey!SHEgr
eet
syou!
"Os
ass
aid.
"HEgr
eet
syout
oo"Wi
sdomr
esponded

I
twast
hec
ust
omoft
hemember
soft
heSHENANI
GANSt
ogr
eatt
hems
elveswi
thHEorSHE.

"
What
'swi
tht
heexc
itement
?"Wi
sdomas
kedOs
aswhos
edes
kwasdi
rec
tlyoppos
itehi
m.

"Foundanewgame.
Iwas
n'tevenhunt
ing.
.
.,t
hehuntwasj
ustbr
oughtmyway.
"Os
ass
aid
exci
tedl
y

"What
'shers
tarwei
ght
?"Wi
sdomas
ked

"11mi
li
on.
"Os
ass
aidboas
tful
ly

"What
ttt
t?"Wi
sdomr
epl
iedi
nshoc
k

"Yes
sss
ss!
"

"Fr
omwher
e?"

"Iwenttot hemainlandt oseeafri

endandI decidedtos t
opbyawomanwhous edtos
upplyme
gi
rlsbackinthedays ,andwhilewewer ehavingourc hitchat,sheintr
oducedmygamet ome..
Wisdom, I
wasbl ownawaybyt hestarweightthisgir
lcarries
,Imeani nthist
imeandseason!
"
Osassai
dl aughingexc i
tedl
ywhiletryi
ngtokeephervoi c
edown. Hikwakuome
on+233544142683t obeaddedt ostoryheadquar t
ersroom. SHENANI GANagentscoul
dnotbe
tr
usted,anotheragentmayover hearthei
rc onversat
ionandt rackdownt hegame.

"What
'shername?"Wi
sdomas
ked.
Os
asc
oul
dnothel
pbuts
mir
k,exac
tlywhats
hewast
hinki
ngs
econdsago.

"Real
ly?Li
keI
amf
ool
..
."Os
ass
aids
ett
li
ngi
ntoherc
hai
rreadyf
orwor
k.

"Yout
hinkI
wil
lst
ealyourgame?"Wi
sdomr
epl
ied

"That
'syourt
hing!
"Os
asr
epl
ied

"Wel
l,I
amt
oopr
eoc
cupi
edwi
thabi
ggameaswel
l"Wi
sdoms
aidpr
oudl
y

"Tel
lmeabouti
t!
"Os
ass
aidi
nabi
dtot
akeWi
sdom'
seyef
romhergame.

"Heisaf
oot
bal
ler
.Whi
lesearc
hingtwoni
ghtsago,I
s awas t
araboutt
obehelped,
andi
fthe
hel
preac
heshi
m,hewi
llbethenextbi
gthi
nginfootball
,comefi
veyearsf
romnow."

"I
nter
est
ing!
"

"I
nFi
veyear
s,hewi
llbeear
ning200,
000poundsperweek!
"

"Youdon'
tSay!
"Os assc
r eamedasshejumpeduptoc
heckoutWi
sdom'
sSTARSEARCHER
scr
een.Wi
sdomr ec
iprocatedbytur
ningitawayf
romOsas
.

"Si
nce,
wear
ehi
dingt
hingsf
romeac
hot
her
,iti
ssaf
eIkeept
hispr
ivat
etoo.
.
."Wi
sdoms
aid

"Wisdom,Comeon,don'tbeabaddi
e,Iamsor
ry,
Jus
tletmes
eeyourguy,
.Wi
sdomyouar
e
abouttor
akeinst
artrophieswor
thbil
li
ons
"
"YesBaby,
Ihaves
tar
tedwor
kingonhi
m.I
methi
mtoni
ght
"Wi
sdom'
spr
idewass
kyr
ocket
ing.

"WhatSt
rat(St
rat
egy)ar
eyouus
ing?"Os
asas
ked

"Mani
pul
ati
on2348"Wi
sdomr
epl
ied

"Ni
ceSt
rat
egy!
"Os
ass
aidal
thoughnotc
onvi
nci
ngenoughandWi
sdom'
swi
ses
ens
ecaughther

"But
?"Wi
sdomas
ked

"Whydoyout
hinkt
her
eisabutt
omyc
ompl
iment
"Os
ass
aidr
etur
ningt
oherc
hai
r

"Os
as!"Wi
sdomwasnotaboutt
olethergoeas
ily

"Ok,I
wasthi
nki
ng,wecouldjoi
nforc
etoget
herandhuntt
hes
etwogamesdownands
har
ethe
tr
ophi
esus
ingSTRAT435"Osassai
d

Wi
sdomt
ookawhi
let
opr
oces
sitandi
tmadeal
otofs
ens
e..
.

"
STRAT435.
.
.Soundsi
nter
est
ing!
"Wi
sdoms
aid

"I
twi
llbei
nter
est
ingandr
ewar
ding"Os
asr
eaf
fi
rmed

"Yes
!"Wi
sdoms
aid

"But
?"Os
ass
aid
"Now,
whydoyout
hinkI
als
ohavea"
but
"Wi
sdoms
aidl
aughi
ng

"Wi
sdom!
"ItwasOs
as'
faul
ttof
orc
ewor
dsoutofWi
sdom

"Ok,
wes
har
ethet
rophi
es60:
40,
youknowmygamehasmor
ewei
ghtt
hanyour
s"Wi
sdoms
aid

"No, mygamehasmi ght

ypotential
s,wit
hwhatshecarr
iess
hecanmarryamanwhocarri
es
tri
plewhatyourfoot
ball
erc
arriesandautomat
ical
ly,
shebecomesmor
eweight
ythanyour
footbal
ler
,sotobefai
r,I
wil
ldo55: 45"

"Fi
ne!
"Wi
sdomagr
eedqui
ckl
y

Wis
domwentt otheSlaughterCommontableandt
ookoutt
hecooperat
ionkni
fe,Osaswalked
uptohi
mof f
eringherl
eftthumb.Wisdompokedhi
sthumbanddi
dt hesameforOsas.They
bot
hpress
edt hei
rthumbstogetherandsai
d..
.

"Webondovert
hes
egames
,nobet
rayalorel
set
hebl
oodoft
hebet
rayerbes
lai
nher
eont
his
sl
aught
ert
able.
"

Os
asandWi
sdoml
ookeddeepl
yint
oeac
hot
her
'seyesbef
ores
mil
ingwi
ckedl
y.

"Lett
het
aki
ngbegi
n"

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:07pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART4
"TheSHEnani
gans
"

"Imetabeaut i
full
adyt
oday,youshoul
dhaveseenherski
n,God!Ada,Moneyi
sgood.Whoever
saysIwi
llnothavemoney,t
hegr oundwil
lopenupandswall
owt hatper
soni
nJesusname.
"
MorayosaidtoAdaonthei
rwaybac kfr
omBi bl
eStudy.

"Wasthatwhyyouwereblus
hingthr
oughoutt
hes
ervi
ce.I
ams
ureyoudi
dn'
thearawor
dout
oft
oday'
sBibl
estudy.
"Adaqueri
edher

"Mydear,wehavebeenl isteningtoBi bl
estudys i
nc ewewer ebornbutwhoBi bleSt
udyhelp?
Mydear ,I
ambegi ningtorethinkthisChris
tianit
yt hingooo,becausemymot herwhowass oi
nto
thechurchthingwasnotpr otectedfromdeat h,soI amnotaf r
aidofdeat
h,anytimeitwantst
o
come,letitc
ome. WhatI ammor escaredof,isdyingwi t
houtenjoyingmyli
fehereonearth.
Adaobi,i
twon' tmakesenset hatIcamet othiswor l
dt ojus
tsufferanddi
e."

"Morayo,
wewi l
lst
il
lhavethi
smoney,
let
'sj
usts
lowdownandf
oll
owGod'
spl
an.
Don'
tletusgo
aheadofGod.
"Adaobis
aid

"Wher
eist
hatc
omi
ngf
rom?"

"DoyouknowI
can'
trememberwhatI
jus
tsai
dtoyou.
"Adaobi
sai
dlaughi
ng

"Nayous
abi
,Pas
torMr
s"Mor
ayos
aidt
eas
ingAdaobi
.

AdaobiwasMorayo'sbestfr
iend.Thei
rfr
iendshipdat
edbacktoi nfancy.Thei
rmothersatt
ended
thesamechur
chandt heymadeitmandat or
yforthegir
lstoattendc hurcheveryser
vic
eday.
AfterMor
ayo'
smot herdied,Adaobi'
smumpi ckeduptherespons i
bil
ityofchecki
nguponher.

"Tel
lmeaboutt
heLady!
"Adaobi
inqui
red
*******

Left
ywasonc l
oudsni
ne,hecoul
dn'
tbel
ievet
hedayt
hatwasal
mos
tendi
ngi
nat
err
ibl
eway
suddenl
yendedgoodforhi
m.

"Ican'twai
ttoseethisChi
nedu'
sfac ewhenhehear sI havest
artedplayingforMayor '
scl
ub.Is
thishowluckjus
tshinesonaperson? "Leftycouldn'tkeepc al
mashes tart
eds cr
olli
ngthrough
hisphone.Hewentthroughthesocialmedi apageWi sdomhadgi venhimandt ohisutmost
surpri
se,hesawthatthemanhadper sonalpi
c t
ur eswit hmostofplayersofMayor '
sclub.
.
.

"GodI
prayt
hisguyc
ont
act
sme!
"

Wisdomhadr efusedgi
vinghi
sphonenumbertoLef
ty.
Wi sdomhadtol
dhimhewouldreac
hout
tohimifthecoachwasinter
ested.
Itwaspar
toft
hestrat
egyoftheSHEnani
gan,
tomakethe
huntedfeelpr
ivil
eged.

"Thi
siss
olegi
t.
..
MyGod!"Lef
typr
ost
rat
edal
mos
tahundr
edt
imesi
nhi
srathol
ecal
ledar
oom.

"What '
swiththepros
trat
ing?Oga,Youar
eusingstyletodi
stur
bme.I
havet
ores
umework
earl
y."Bayo,hi
sroommates ai
dashepull
edouttheircompress
edmat
res
sfr
omwher
etheyhad
keptit.

Theyhadnofur
nit
urei
nthei
rroomandthel
it
tlespac
etheywer
eus
ingast
hei
rsl
eepi
ngar
ea
wasthesameplac
eLef
tykeptpac
ingt
oandfroon.

"Guy,r
elax,mys tor
yisabouttochangeandi
fyoucelebratewit
hme,
Iwi
llc
hangeyourl
evel
too,
youwi l
lleavethatbankjobandbemypersonalaccountant
."

"Ok?"Bayor
epl
ieds
mil
ing
"Guy,I
mett hi
smantoday!
"Lef
tyshowedhimWisdom'
spi
ctureonhisphone."
Hei
saf
oot
bal
l
tal
entscout
,Hewast
heonewhof oundRobert
oandOmasholaforMayor
'scl
ub"

"
Real
ly?"Bayosaids
oundi
nginter
est
edbutashefi
xedhi
sgazeontheman'spi
cture,
hisey
es
r
eact
edagainsttheman'
simage.I
mmediat
ely,her
etur
nedthephonebac
kt oLeft
y.

"Samuel
,theguyi
sfake.
"Bayos
aid

Lef
ty'
ssmi
ledi
sappear
ed.
.
.

"Whatdoyoumeanhei
sfake?Hei
snotf
ake,
Chec
khi
spr
ofi
le,
seeal
lhi
spi
ctur
eswi
tht
he
pl
ayer
s"

"Chec
kt hepl
ayer
s'pagesandchec
kifyouhaveanyofhi
spi
ctur
esont
hei
rpages
"Bayos
aidas
hepushedLef
tyoutofhisway

"
Whyar
eyous
onegat
ive?Whyi
sthatyoudon'
tthi
nkI
canevermakei
tbi
g?"

"Youknowt hat'
snott r
ue, youknowI amyourbi ggestfan, butI can'ts
eeaf akeandpr etenditi
s
ori
ginalj
usttofeedyouregoormakeyouhappy. Samuel !Cal mdown, thisper i
odwi llpas s
.I
knowwhatGodt ol
dmeaboutyouandhowI wil
leventual l
yl eavemybanki ngjobt ojoinyouas
yourmanager ,
butSamuelt hatt i
mei snotnow.Enjoythi stime, Enjoythisgarridrinkingt i
me,
Enjoythi
strekki
ngt i
me, Enjoyt hist
imewhenyouc anf reelywal kont hes treet,becaus eat i
me
iscomingthatyoucannotdoal lofthatagain.GodisaGodoft imeands eason,Hewi l
ldot hings
atHisownt i
mef oryou."Bayopr eac
hedasus ual

"Andwhatmakesyoufeel,myti
meisnotnow?Bayo,
whatmakesyouf
eelt
hismani
snott
he
onetohel
pme?"Left
yas kedver
yfr
ustr
ated
"Notal
loppor
tuni
ti
esar
eGod'
soppor
tuni
ti
es.WhenI
seet
hemanwhoi
stohel
pyou,
Iwi
ll
rec
ogni
zehim.
"

"Lis
tenBayo,
enoughofyourrant
ing.Iamdonewait
ing,I
amnotgoingtol
oset
hisoppor
tunit
y.
Letmet r
ythi
sopport
uni
ty,andifalongthewayI
reali
zehei
snottheone,
Iwil
lbackout
."Lef
ty
sai
dlikehewasst
riki
ngadeal

"Andbythatti
me,
ther
ealoppor
tuni
tymayhavec
omeandmetyourabs
enc
e".
Bayos
aids
tar
ing
himintheeyes

Atthatpoi
nt,
Lef
tywasdonehear
ingt
henegat
ivi
ti
smf
romBayo,
hes
teppedoutoft
her
oom
angri
ly.

*****

Wis
domhadrecei
vedawarningsi
gnontheSTARSEARCHERthathi
sgamewasaboutt
obe
r
escued.
Hehi
tthenoti
fi
cat
ionic
onontheStarSEARCHER.

"
Shenani
ganWisdom,Yourgamehasbeeni
nter
cept
edbyt
het
rut
h,i
nter
ceptt
het
rut
h
i
mmediatel
yoryoulos
eyourgame"

Wi
sdomi
mmedi
atel
ybr
oughtouthi
sphoneands
entat
extmes
sage.
.
.

"HeyLeft
y,i
twasgreatmeet
ingyoutoday,Is
pokewit
hCoachFr
ancisaboutyoutodayandhe
wouldl
ovetohaveanonli
nemeetingwithyoutomor
rowatmyplac
e. At
tachedisascreens
hot
ofourc
onvoaboutyou.
"

LeftyknewBayomeantwel lf
orhim,s
owhateverhemeantbysayi
ngWi s
domwasaf akec
oul
d
actual
lybetrue.Lef
tybegantot
il
ttowar
dsbeli
evingBayowasri
ghtbutanot
if
icat
ion
int
erceptedhist
houghts.

Hec
hec
kedwhos
enthi
mthet
ext
,ands
urpr
isi
ngl
ytohi
mhes
aw"
Wis
domFoot
bal
lsc
out
".
..
Thi
swasanotherc
onfi
rmati
onf
orhi
m;hehadaphonenumberdet
ectoronhi
sphone.
Theapp
hadbeenabl
etodedectt
heaut
hent
ici
tyoft
hephonenumbert
ext
inghim.

Wi
sdomhads
entamadeups
creens
hotofhi
sconver
sat
ionwi
tht
hec
oac
h.

Lef
tyi
mmedi
atel
yrepl
ied;

"Okbos
s!Thankyouf
ort
heoppor
tuni
ty.
Tel
lmewher
etomeetupwi
thyouandI
wil
lbet
her
e
i
nthemorni
ng."

Wi
sdoms
enthi
mtheaddr
essofoneoft
heShenani
ganpr
ojec
tapar
tment
s.

******

Wi
sdomandOs
ass
atver
yexhaus
ted.
.
.

"Thatwasc
los
e!"Os
ass
aid

"Yeah.
.
.that
'swhywehavet
obef
astabouti
t.
"

Osas'al
armdis
rupt
edthei
rrel
ief.
.
.Osashadreceivedawarni
ngsi
gnontheSTARSEARCHER
thathergamewasaboutt
ober es
cued.Shehitthenoti
fi
cati
oni
conont
heStarSEARCHER.

"SHEnani
ganOSAS,Yourgamei saboutt
obei
nter
cept
ed,
Someonei
spr
ayi
ngf
orher
.Int
erc
ept
herimmediat
elyoryouloseyourgame"

Os
asandWi
sdoml
ookedi
ntoeac
hot
her
s'eye.
.
"Herphonenumber
?"Wi
sdomas
ked

"I
don'
thavei
t.
..
"

"What
?Wec
an'
tlos
eher
!What
'shername?"Wi
sdoms
aidr
unni
ngbac
ktohi
sSt
arSEARCHER.

"Mo'
"

"
Mo.
.
.What
?"

"Nots
ure.
.
.ModupeorMol
ayo.
.
."

"Os
as!Youar
eunbel
ievabl
e!,
youdon'
thavet
hef
ulldet
ail
sofyourgame"

"Li
keI
tol
dyou,
Iwas
n'tgoi
ngt
ohuntwhenI
mether
."Os
asr
ubbedherf
oreheadf
ori
deas
..
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:09pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART5&6

"TheSHEnani
gans
"

"Whatki
ndofdr
eami
sthi
s?Whatdoesi
tmean?"
.Mor
ayoas
kedher
sel
fcont
inuous
ly.
.
.

******

"Int
hegar
denofEden,
itwasas
naket
hatdec
eivedt
hemi
ntol
osi
ngGod'
sor
igi
nalpl
anf
ort
hei
r
li
ves
"Adarepl
ied
Morayohadus
edherf
ather
'sphonet
ocal
lAda'
smum.
Ada'
smumknewt
hec
allwasf
orAdanot
her
.

"Mor
ayo,
IprayedtoGodl
astni
ghtthatHes
houl
dspeakt
oyouaboutt
hatLadyandI
amhappy
Hedi
d.Morayo,
thatwomanist
hesnake.
"

"Hmm..That
'sthefi
rstpersonwhof
las
hedt
hroughmymi
ndwhi
leI
wast
hinki
ngaboutt
he
dream.
"Morayoconcurred.

"Al
ri
ghtdear
,Ear
lyt
osl
eep,
ear
lyt
ori
se.
Seeyoui
nthemor
ning"Adas
aid

"Youwi
lls
eemeinthemorni
ng?"Morayoaskedverysur
pri
sedbecauses
heknewAdahadt
o
gett
ohersal
onont
ime.Ada'
sbosswasverystr
ictwhenitc
amet ores
umingwor
kearl
y.

"Yes
,onmywayt
otheSal
on,
Iwi
lls
topbyyourpl
ace.
"Adas
aid.
.

"Babe,
whatdi
dIdot
oder
ser
veaf
riendl
ikeyou.
"Mor
ayoas
kedj
oki
ngl
y

"ForGods
olovedyou,
thatHegaveyouaf
riendl
ikeme!
"Adas
aid

"Pr
idehass
tar
tedooo"Mor
ayos
aidl
aughi
ng

"Ac
knowl
edget
het
rut
h!"Adar
epl
ied

"Getawayj
or.
.
.bef
oremyf
atherwakesup"
"Seeyoui
nthemor
ningbyGod'
sGr
ace"

"PastorMr
s,whi
choneisbyGod'
sGr
ace.
Wewi l
ldef
ini
tel
yseeeachot
heri
nthemorni
ng.You
sai
dyouarecomingher
eandIamnotgoi
nganywhere,
sother
eisnoneedf
orGod'
sGracei
nthis
matter"

"Mor
ayo,al
otcanhappenbetweennowandthenext5hour
s.Eveninone'
ssleep,amanc andi
e,
soweneedGod'
sGracetoseeeachot
heri
nthemorning.
Alotofpeopl
edieintheirs
leep.
"

"Godforbid!Abeg,weareinthenight
,don'
tletmehaveanotherscar
ydream.Ijus
tsaiddon'
t
overspir
itual
izeal
lyourt
alkandyouhavestartedanot
herl
ecture.
.
.Goodnight
!"Morayoended
thecalls
mi li
ng.Adawasthebestpers
oninherl i
fe.

******

Samuelfoundhimselfplayi
ngfootbal
lont heroadandever
yonewascheeri
nghimon,theroad
wasverydustybuthisconsolat
ionwast hat,hewasgoi
ngtogettoafi
eldsoon.Aspeopl
ekept
cheer
inghimonbot hsidesoftheroad,hes awawelldr
esedmanaheadflaggi
nghimdown.He
sl
oweddownhi spacet oatt
endt otheman. ..

"Hell
oLef
ty,s
uchagr
eatt
alentyoupos
ses
s,yous
houl
dn'
tbepl
ayi
ngont
hes
treet
s"t
heman
sai
d

"Yeah,
Iamonmywayt
othef
iel
d."Lef
tyr
epl
ied

"Thatfi
eldi
squit
efar,
wehaveafiel
dyoucanusehere"themansaidpoi
ntingtoabeaut
if
ul
fi
eld.However
,Leftycoul
donl
yseeali
ttl
epartoft
hef i
eld.
Thegrasswasverygr
een.

Left
ythoughtaboutt
hedis
tanc
ehest
il
lhadt
ocoveri
not
hert
ogett
othemai
nfi
eld,he
ther
efor
emadeuphi smindtof
oll
owt
heman..
.
Left
yf ollowedthemant owardsthefiel
d.Anumberofwel ldres
sedpeopl
ef r
omt hefi
eld
approac hedhimandstartedcheeri
nghi m,butthei
rnumbercouldnotbecompar edt
othose
cheeri
nghi montheroad.Lef
tynoticedthatashedrewclosertothef
iel
d,theloudapplaus
eof
thosec heeri
nghiminit
iall
ystart
edtof adeoff
.

Leftygotint
ot hefi
eldandfoundoutitwasaverysmallstadi
umwithonlyafewpersons
present.
Leftyknewi ns
tantl
y,hehadtakenawr ongst
ep.Het ur
nedtol
eavebutins
tantl
y
barri
cadeswer eputinplac
e.Helookedaroundandreali
zedhehadwalkedintoapr
isonthat
lookedli
keac age.
..

"Ent
ert
ainus
!"Lef
tyhear
davoi
cef
romhi
sbac
k.Het
urnedt
oseeanel
der
lymanl
ooki
ngdown
athi
m.

Lef
tyf
oundhimsel
fplayi
ngthef
oot
ballal
lbyhi
msel
fint
hatc
ageandoddl
yits
ervedas
ent
ert
ainmentf
orthefewpeopl
ewatc
hing.

******

Lef
tyopenedhi
seyess
har
ply.
Hehadadr
eam.
.
.Whatwast
hedr
eamabout
?

*******

Os
asandWi
sdomwer
ehavi
ngt
hei
rfakephot
oshoot
,whenWi
sdom'
sSTARSEARCHERbeeped.

"Tr
oublei
nmypar adi
se!
"Wis
doms
aidasher
acedof
ftohi
sCovent
abl
e.Hehi
tthenot
if
icat
ion
tof
indoutwhatt
hei s
suewas
..
.

"SHENANI
GANWi
sdom,
yourgamej
usthadadr
eamt
hati
saboutt
oint
err
uptyourhunt
ing"

"Ok,
thanky
ouSt
arSear
cher
!"
Osass
toodnearbywat
chi
ngwhatWisdomwasabouttodo.
Wi s
domwasmorer
oot
edi
nthe
SHENANIGANthanshewas,
soshewassti
lll
ear
ningmoret
ric
ksfr
omhim.

Wisdombroughtouthi
sphone,
wents
trai
ghtt
oSamuel
'ss
oci
almedi
ahandl
e.Het
appedonhi
s
pi
cture.
.
.

"Ispeaktoyour
ightnow,
SamuelW.Mayyourl
astdr
eambewi
pedof
fyourmemor
ynow.
You
shallnotr
ememberthemess
ageint
hedream."

I
tsuddenl
ycl
ickedi
nOs
as'
mind,
sher
emember
edt
aki
ngapi
ctur
eofMor
ayo.
.
.

"I
haveapi
ctur
eoft
hegi
rl
"Os
ass
aidi
nar
ush.
.
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:10pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART7

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

"
Wher
eist
hepi
ctur
e?"Wi
sdomas
ked

"
Her
e!"Os
ass
aidgi
vinghi
mherphone

"
Wow!Shei
sabeaut
if
ul"Wi
sdoms
aid

"Yeah!Sowhatc
anwedot
omakeherc
omeoveri
nthemor
ning.
"Os
ass
hif
tedhi
sfoc
usf
rom
t
heMor
ayo'
sBeaut
y

"
Let
'spr
ojec
tagooddr eamaboutyouint
oherdr
eaml
if
etonegat
ewhat
everc
ont
rar
yopi
nion
s
hehasconcer
ningyou"Wis
doms aid

"
Thought
ful
,thatwayherdr
eamwoul
dnegat
ethec
ouns
ell
ings
hehasbeenr
ecei
ving.
"

"Exac
tly,
Soc
ookupani
cedr
eamaboutyou"

"I
alr
eadyhaveone!
"

"Ok,
not
imet
owas
tet
ime"

Wisdomsettl
edintoachai
rwhi
lehol
dingOs
as'
phone.
Hez
oomedi
ntoMor
ayo'
spi
ctur
e
speci
fi
cal
lyhereyebal
ls.

"Mor
ayo,
Ispeakt
oyourSpi
ri
tmannowandI orderyoutoli
stentoever
ythi
ngt
hatyouwi
llhear
now.
Begi
ntoimaginet
hewordsandbegi
ntoexperienc
eitasreal
."

Wi
sdomr
ais
edhi
seyebr
owasawayoft
ell
ingOs
as,
shes
houl
dbr
inghergameon.

"Morayo,
Iproj
ectmys
elfi
ntoyourdream. Begi
ntoseemei nyourdr
eamt aki
ngyouabr
oadand
dr
oppingyouoffwi
thari
chwhitefamily.
Seeyoursel
fli
vinglar
geinthathouse.
.
."

******

Mor
ayos
awthebeauti
full
adyi
nherdream,taki
ngherabr
oadandpl
aci
ngheri
naWhi
tef
ami
ly.
Mor
ayos
awhows hewaswellt
akencareof
..
.
******

Al
oudknoc
kendedMor
ayo'
ssl
eepunt
imel
y..
.

"Yes
!Whoi
sther
e?"Mor
ayo'
sfat
heras
kedangr
il
yinbet
weenhi
ssl
eep

Mor
ayoc
hec
kedt
heol
dwal
lcl
ockr
est
ingont
hegr
ound.
Itwas4:
45am.

"
Whoc
oul
dthatbe?"Mor
ayot
hought

"I
sai
dwhoi
sthat
?"Mor
ayo'
sDadas
kedagai
n

"Name,
Aunt
yGl
ori
a"(I
t'
sme,
Aunt
yGl
ori
a)

Aunt
yGl
ori
a!Mor
ayowass
hoc
kedhear
ingAunt
yGl
ori
awasatt
hatdoort
hatear
ly.

Mor
ayos
toodupi
nar
ush.
.
.

"Whati
sshedoi
ngher
eatt
hist
ime!
"Adi
o;Mor
ayo'
sfat
heras
ked.

"Babamii
,don'
twor r
y,I
wi l
latt
endtoher"Morayos
aidandalmosti
mmedi
atel
yAdi
owentbac
k
tosl
eep.
Thealcoholhetookthepr
eviousni
ghtwassti
llver
ystr
ongonhi
m.

HerSi
bli
ngshadal
sowokenup,
buts
het
oldt
hemt
oret
urnt
obed.
"Aunt
yGl
ori
a,What
?Whys
oear
ly?Ar
eyouOkay?"

"Yesooo,
Iamf
ine,
thet
hingi
sIhavegoodnews
"

"Real
ly?Pl
eas
eshar
ethegoodnews
"

*****

30MI
NUTESEARLI
ER

Aft
erOsashads
ucc
ess
ful
lydonet
hedr
eampr
ojec
tion,
shehadc
all
edAunt
yGl
ori
aovert
he
phone.
.
.

"Hell
oAuntyGlor
ia,IamsorryI
amc alli
ngyouthi
sear
ly.LikeIt
oldyou,t
hegir
l'
siss
uehas
beenstr
onglyi
mpresseduponmyhear t.Imadeafewcall
s,andther
eisari
chwhit
efami
ly
wil
li
ngtotakeherinasthei
rhousekeeper.
"

"Nal
ie.
.Os
as,
qui
ckqui
ck.
.
."

"Yes
,andsheneedstotraveli
nthenextt
woweeks
,sot
hatmeansyouhavet
obr
inghert
omy
pl
acethi
smorningforustoproces
sthevi
sa.
"

"Thi
sMor
ning?"

********

"Thi
sMor
ning?"Mor
ayoas
kedwhi
les
til
lins
hoc
koverever
ythi
ngAunt
yGl
ori
ahads
aid

"
Yesorar
eyounoti
nter
est
ed?"
"Wear
eint
eres
ted!
"Ayomi
des
aidf
rombehi
nd

"Ayomi
de,
Ithoughtyouwer
eas
leep"Mor
ayos
aidonhear
ingherbr
other
'svoi
ce

"Whi
chr
espons
ibl
ebr
otherwi
lls
leepwhenhi
ssi
steri
soutatt
hist
ime"Ayomi
des
aid

"Si
ster
,ifyouhaves
omeonewhocant
akeyouabr
oad,pl
eas
ego.
Itwi
llmakeourl
ivesbet
ter
.
Thi
spover t
yhastofl
yawayf
romourf
amil
y."

"AuntGl
ori
a,i
t'
sfunnyt
hatIj
ustwokeupf
romadr
eamoft
hewomant
aki
ngmeabr
oadt
oli
ve
wit
hsomeOyinbo(Whit
epeople)
.

"NaGoddeys howyouahead.
Soyoudeyreadytoleave?"(I
t'sGods
howi
ngyouwhatwi
ll
happenahead.Ar
eyoureadytot
ravel
?)AuntyGl
oriaasked.

Morayofeltt
hepr essure,i
twasatoughdecis
ion.
Shehadadr
eamofs eei
ngasnakeandAda
hadsai
dt hebeautif
ulwomanwast hesnake.
Thatsameni
ght
,shehadadreamshowingt
hatthe
womanwasahel pers entt
oher.
..

"I
sitc
ompul
sor
ytogowi
thyout
hismor
ning"

"Yes
,shehass
entmet
headdr
ess
"

Mor
ayo'
shear
twasbeati
ngfas
t,t
her
ewer
etwoc
onf
li
cti
ngt
hought
swar
ringi
nherhead.
Whi
chdreamwasshetof
oll
ow?

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.
[
29/
06,
4:11pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART8

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

"Morayo,
youknowi
fIwasagi
rlI
woul
dhavegone,
don'
tbes
elf
ishandhel
pourf
ami
ly"
Ayomidepus
hed

MorayorememberedAyomi
de'
swor
dst
hatgavehert
hepus
htof
oll
owAunt
yGl
ori
awi
thout
i
nformingherf
ather
.

"God,
IhopeI
amnott
aki
ngt
hewr
ongs
tep!
"Mor
ayot
houghtast
heyt
ravel
led

"Ada!
"

Morayo'shear
tsuddenl
yremember
edherbestfr
iend.Shehadl
eftt
hehous
eins
omuc
hrus
h
shedidn'tr
ememberAdahadpromis
edtocheckonher.

"ByGod'
sGrac
e!"Morayoremember
edwhatAdahadsai
daboutalotofthi
ngshappeningin
hourst
hatc
ouldhindert
hemf r
omseei
ngeachot
heri
nthemorning.Shehadbeenright!

******

"Whatdoyoumeans hehast
ravel
ledabroad?Ayomide,
stopt
hej okeandt
ellmewher
eshei
s!"
AdascreamedatAyomidewhoappearedtobetoyi
ngwithherfeeli
ngs.

"
Iamser
iousAda,shehasr
eloc
ated"Ayomi
des
aidpr
oudl
yashewal
kedawayl
eavi
ngAda
l
ooki
ngconf
used.

*****

"Yousti
ll.
wanttogoaheadwi
ththi
ssc
amofaman,
Samuel
,youwi
llc
omebac
kbi
ti
ngyour
nai
ls"Bayosai
dlooki
ngverys
eri
ous
"Lookatyou,youc
allyour
sel
faChr
ist
ianandyouar
epr
ophes
yingevi
lint
omyl
if
e"Lef
ty
blac
kmailed

"Youknowt
hat
'snott
rue,
Iamj
usts
tat
ingt
hef
act
"

"Unc
le,
iti
senough,
thanksf
ort
hec
onc
ern"

Lef
tywal
kedoutoft
hehous
elooki
ngdapper
.

******

Thejour
neyhadtakentwohours.Morayowass c
aredofputt
ingherlegsonthegroundofthe
compoundtheyhaddri
vento...
Thec ompoundlookedtoobeauti
fultoexi
sti
nther ealworl
d.It
fel
tli
keshewaslooki
ngatahous efr
omapi ctur
e.Thegras
swasgr eentoafaul
t,theskylooked
perf
ecttoafaul
t,t
hewindthatblewinthatcompoundwast oopuretobereal
..
.

"Aunt
yGl
ori
a,AmI
dreami
ng?"Mor
ayoas
kedl
ooki
ngdaz
ed

"Whydi
dyous
ayt
hat
?"Aunt
yGl
ori
aas
kedl
aughi
ng

"Thi
spl
acei
sfi
neeeeee"

"Yesooo.Thi
sismyfirs
tti
meofc omingofhere,shetel
lmeonphones
aythisi
sherhusband'
s
house.Thehusbandmustbever
yr i
ch.Morayo,youhavecomet
owhereyourli
fegochange,s
o
behaveooo"AuntyGlor
iasai
dproudly

"Aunty,
ifIdon'
tbehave,makeI
die?I
fthi
sishowt
hei
rhous
eis,
howwi
llabr
oadl
ookl
ike.
Aunty,Idi
ehereooo"
******

"Exactl
y..
.
Youdieher
e."Maxwel
lthes
ecur
ityguar
dsai
dtohi
msel
fashewat
chedMor
ayo
di
splayofhappi
ness

"WelcomeMadam!"Maxwel
lsai
doutl
oudwhi
chwasc
ont
rar
ytowhathewasf
eel
ingi
nhi
s
hear
t.

"
Ifonl
ythi
sgi
rlknewwhatwasc
omi
ngf
orher
,shewoul
dhavees
capedt
hismoment
"Max
wel
l
t
hought

"Pl
eas
ecanyouc
omef
il
lther
egi
ster
"Maxwel
lsai
dpol
it
ely

"Nawa,
theyevenf
il
lregi
stert
oent
erpes
inhous
e"Aunt
yGl
orys
aidi
namaz
ement
..

******

Leftyfel
tsomethi
ngres
trai
ninghi
mateverypoi
ntofhi
sjour
ney,buthewasn'
tgoi
ngtogi
veup.
Hehadf all
endowntwic
eont wodif
fer
entbi
kes.
Hehadthefeel
ingsomeonewaspushi
ngthe
bikesdown.

"Power
sfr
ommyvillage,hearmewel
l,t
hisoneyouhavef
ail
ed.Youcan'
tstopme.
Iwi
llget
ther
ewhet
heryoul
ikeitornot.I
woul
dratherdi
eontheroadthatt
urnback".

*******

Adaf
eltl
ikeawal
kingdead,
ass
hes
ati
nthes
alon.

"Howc
anMor
ayoj
ustl
eavel
iket
hatwi
thoutt
ell
ingme?
"Ada,
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngl
ikeamor
on"Ada'
sBos
ssai
d

"I
ams
orr
yMadam!
"

******

Mor
ayowal
kedi
ntoal
ivi
ngr
oomt
hatl
ookedl
ikeapal
ace.

Shes
awt
hebeaut
if
ulpor
trai
tofOs
asandWi
sdoml
ooki
ngs
ocut
e..
.

"Theyar
esof
ine!
"

"Abi
,moneyi
sgood"Aunt
yGl
ori
asai
d

"Yes
,iti
s.
..
"

******

OsasandWi sdomareintheirsuppos
edbedroomwhichi
sactual
lyanoffi
cesett
ing.
Therear
e
makeshi
ftindivi
dualbedsforeachpers
on.Theywer
eobser
vingMor ayoviat
heCCTVs c
reenin
thei
roff
ice.
..

"Shei
staki
ngi
tal
lin"

"Yeah,
wear
eherdr
eamc
oupl
e"

"Yeah,
seemss
hel
ovesl
ove"
"I
cans
eei
tinhereyes
"

Wi
sdom'
seyec
aughtac
abdr
oppi
ngs
omeoneof
fatt
heent
ranc
eoft
hei
rpl
ace.

"Mygamei
sher
e!"

Os
asz
oomedi
nonLef
ty'
sfac
e..
.

"Hands
omegame!
"

"Ver
yHands
ome.
.
.hei
sver
yat
hlet
ic"
..
.

******

Lef
tyal
mos
tpas
sedoutwhenhes
awt
hehous
ehewasent
eri
ng.

"God!Pl
eas
elett
hisc
onnec
tionc
lic
k,l
ett
hisvi
deoc
allf
avourmepl
eas
e."

Maxwel
lwal
kedLef
tyt
othehous
eaf
terf
il
li
ngt
her
egi
ster
.

"Enj
oyyours
tay!
"Maxwel
lsai
d

"EnjoyyourStay?"Lef
tythought
.Hewasonl
yther
eforaday.
Hewovet
hes
tat
ementas
ideand
walkedintotheLivi
ngroom.

Ongett
ingtot
heLivi
ngr
oom,
hemett
wol
adi
ess
eat
ed.
Hiseyec
aughtt
hebeaut
if
ulgi
rls
itt
ing
bes
idethewoman.
"Coul
dshebeMrWi
sdom'
sdaught
er?"

"Goodmor
ningma"

"GoodMor
ningmybr
other
!"

"I
amher
etos
eeMrWi
sdom.
"

"Thats
houl
dbeOs
as'
hus
band.
Wedeywai
tfort
hemt
oo"

"Ok!Thankyouma"Lef
tyt
ookhi
sseatc
aref
ull
yononeoft
hel
eat
herc
hai
rs.

Left
yhadonl yseenthatqualit
yofleatherchairinmovies.Hel
ookedaroundthebeauti
ful
apartment.
Hiseyesc aughtthediff
erentfamil
ypi c
turesofMrWi sdomandhiswif
e.Thr
ough
thei
rpict
ures,Left
yc ouldseetheyhadbeent odiff
erentcount
riesonvacat
ion.
Healsosight
eda
pict
uretheytookwi t
ht hefoot
ballstar
sheador ed.
..

*****

"Doyous
eewhatI
see?"Os
asas
ked

"Whatdoyous
ee?"

"Aspartofours
trat
egyofhunt
ingt
hisgamedown,
let
'si
ncl
udeal
oves
tor
y,Mos
tmani
pul
ated
loves
tori
esendsbad"

"Oh!I
seewhatyouar
eseei
ng!
"Wi
sdoms
aid.
.
.
Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:11pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART9&10

"THESHENANI
GANS"

"
WhereisMorayo?"Adi
osaidofouthi
sdr
eamys
tat
e..
.
Bol
uwat
if
ehi
slas
tchi
ldwast
heonl
yone
i
ntheroom.
..
Shewass i
xyearsol
d.

"Shehasgonet
oAmer
ica"Bol
uwat
if
esai
dhappi
ly

Conf
usi
onandt
hehangoverf
eel
ingwer
ecompet
ingf
orAdi
o'sat
tent
ion.
Bol
uwat
if
e'sr
epl
ywas
conf
usi
ng.

Adi
opus
hedhi
msel
fupdes
pit
ethehammer
ingheadac
hehewashavi
ng.
.
.

"
Whatdi
dyous
ay?"

"Ayomidesai
dMor
ayohasgonet
oAmer
icaands
hewi
llbr
ingbac
kpl
ent
ymoney"Bol
uwat
if
e
sai
dinnocent
ly

"Ayomi
de!Ayo!
"Adi
osc
reamed

Segun,
hiss
econds
onr
ani
nsi
det
oheedhi
sfat
her
'sc
all
..
.

"Daddy,
Ayomi
dei
snotar
ound"
"Ok,
butwher
eisMor
ayo?"

"I
don'
tknow,
butAyomi
des
aids
omet
hingabouthert
ravel
li
ngabr
oad"

"Ha!Ha!Areyoupeoplemad?Oryouaretr
yingtomakeaj
okeoutofme.
.
.Li
sten,
Iamnot
drunk,
tel
lmewher eyours
ist
eri
s."Adi
osaidangri
ly

"Daddy, I
ams eri
ous.YouknowhowAyomi decanbe,Hemayhaves ol
doffMor ayoformoney.I
thinkyoushouldfi
ndhimbef or
eiti
stool
ate!"Segunthefamil
yc omediansaidbeforerunni
ng
offtoo.
..I
twasthenor maft
erhiswi
fe'
sdeathforthechi
ldrentodis
appearfromt hehousein
themor ni
ngandr et
urnatnight.

However
,thet
alkaboutt
ravel
li
ngabr
oadwasnot
hingc
los
etonor
mal
.

Adiodespi
tenothavi
ngaclearhead,knewcl
earl
ythathi
sfir
stsonAyomidewasar
oguewho
coulddoanyt
hingformoney.Adiogotup,pi
ckedoneofhissmell
yT-shi
rts
.

******

"SoMo',wewi
lls
tartpr
oces
s i
ngyourvi
saasf
romt
omor
row.Wewi
llgof
oryourCapt
uri
ng.
Do
youhaveaPas
sport
?"Osassai
d

"
Shenogetanyt
hing.
.
."Aunt
yGl
ori
arepl
iedi
nst
ead

"Okay,t
hatwon'
tbeaprobl
em.Wi
tht
hec
onnec
tionsI
havei
nthi
stown,
youwi
llbeoutoft
his
count
ryintwoweeks
."

"Thankyouma!
"Mor
ayoknel
tdowni
nar
ushi
nappr
eci
ati
on.
"CanI
showyout
oyourr
oom?Orwoul
dyoubec
omi
ngf
romhomeever
yday?"

"Whichhome?Osas
,thi
sgirli
snowyourpr
oper
ty.
.
.Ordoyouwantt
ogohome?"Shedi
rec
ted
herl
aststat
ementt
oMor ayo

Mor
ayos
hookherheads
idewaysi
ndi
cat
ings
hewasf
inewi
ths
tayi
ngbac
k.

"Bett
er!Morayo.
..
IpraytheSpi
ri
tofy
ourdeadmot
herhel
psyou.
Ipr
ayyouwi
llnotbe
unfor
tunat
e."AuntyGlor
iasai
d

Os
asl
aughed.
.
.

********

Ada'
sSpiri
twassores
tless,s
hekeptmakingmi
stakesi
nbr
aidi
ngt
hehai
roft
hec
ust
omer
.She
wasalls
weatyinthewellventi
lat
eds
alon.

"Ada,
areyouOkay?"Thebos
sas
ked

"Aunt
y,pl
eas
ecanI
beexc
used,
Iamf
eel
ingver
yunc
omf
ort
abl
e.CanI
jus
tgooutf
ort
hir
ty
minut
es"

"Takeonehourandc
omebac
kOkay!
"Thebos
ssai
d

"Thankyouma!
"Adas
aidf
eel
ingr
eli
eved

"AuntyJo,I
ams
orr
yIc
an'
tcompl
etey
ourhai
rma"Adas
aidt
othewomanwhos
ehai
rshewas
brai
ding.
"Nopr
obl
em,got
akec
areofyour
sel
f".

"Ada,
youknowwhat
,taket
hedayof
f!"Thebos
ssai
d

"Thankyouma!
"

Adadas
hedoutoft
hes
alon.

Ther
ewer
etwopl
acess
he

wantedtogo,butshehadtopri
ori
ti
ze.
Shewantedtogotochur
chandprayhar
dforherf
riend,
butontheotherhand,Shewant
edtoretur
ntoMorayo'
shouset
obesureAyomidewasnot
fool
ingar
ound..
.

"Chur
chf
irs
t!"Adac
onc
luded.
.
.

"Devil
,youc an'
tgetmyfriend!Youwanttous ealadytodest
royherl
if
e,well,Devi
lyouc ame
tool
ate, bec
auseGodknewyouwoul dpullthi
sups omeday,
soHegaveheraf emalefri
endwho
wouldfightforher
.Devi
l,youhavelostthisone!
"Adas ai
doutloudwit
halldeterminat
ion.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:12pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART11

"THESHENANI
GANS

"MrKomol
afe!Komo!Bayo!"Ir
enehadc
all
edBayoal
lthenameshewasr
efer
redt
oint
heof
fi
ce
buti
twasobvioushewasveryfarf
romt
hebanki
nghallt
herewer
ein.

Bayowasat tendi
ngt othos ewhower eont hequeuefortheInt
ernati
onalmoneytransferbuthi
s
mindwasf araways ear
c hingwi t
hhismi nd,whatLeft
ywasupt o.Hehadvisi
tedthegentsa
coupleofti
meswi thoutus ingthegentsforitsmainpurpos
e.Hehadbeenc al
lingLeft
ybut
Left
y'sphonehadbeenr ingingwithoutanyresponse.
"YesI
rene!
"Bayor
espondedt
oIr
ene'
scal
l

"MrGwant
stos
eeyou!
"Ir
enes
aidwi
thal
ookofc
onc
erni
nhereyes
.

Bayorai
sedhi
seyebrowasiftoaskwhathehaddone,
Irener
es pondedbyt
ilt
ingherneck
towar
dstheCCTVasiftoal
sos ay"Hemusthaves
eenyoudos omet hi
ngwrong!"Bayoi
ntur
n
l
ookedattheCCTVinthebankinghal
l.

TheCCTVwastheeyeoft
hemanagerandwheneverast
affwasc
alledupt
otheof
fi
ce,
itwas
obvi
ousheors
hehadbeencaughtonc
ameradoingsomethi
ngwrong.

"God!WhathaveIdone?"Bayot
hought
.Hequi
ckl
yroundedupwiththepersonhewas
at
tendi
ngtowhileheaskedthei
nter
nworki
ngwi
thhimtostandi
nforhim..
.

******

"I
hearyouar
eagoods
tri
ker
!"Coac
hFr
anc
iss
aid

"
Yea.
.
Yeah.
.
.Ic
anpl
aywel
l,I
..
I.
.sc
oregoaaaaal
ll
lswi
thmyl
eftl
egs
owel
l"Lef
tys
aids
tut
ter
ing

"Cal
mdownPl
ayer
!Ic
ans
eeyouar
etens
ed,Don'
tbe!J
ustbeyour
sel
f!
"Coac
hFr
anc
iss
aid

"Yess
ir!
"

Wisdomkeptsmil
ingathisgameasCoachFrancischat
tedonwithhi
mandc rac
kingafewjokes
.
I
fonlyLef
tyknewt hepers
onhewasr eal
lyc
hat t
ingwithwasaSHENANIGANagent .
Theyhad
usedaFaceandVoiceChangerSof
twaretoconvinc
ingl
ypresentt
heagentasCoachFranc
is.
.
.
"Il
ikehi
mWi s
dom,Br
inghi
moverf
oramat
ch,
Letmes
eehi
mont
hef
iel
dher
ewi
tht
heboys"
CoachFr
anc
issai
d

"What
?"Wi
sdomas
kedl
ooki
ngs
urpr
ised

"Yeah!I
knowi
t'
squi
tef
astbutI
thi
nkhei
sSpec
ial
,It
hinkI
seewhatyous
awi
nhi
m."Coac
h
Franc
issai
d

"
Yeah!Hei
sSpec
ial
"Wi
sdomgaveLef
tyt
hel
ookof"Howdi
dyoudot
his
?"

"Hows
oonc
anyoubr
inghi
moverher
e?"Coac
hFr
anc
isas
ked

"Ahr
rg.
.
.Ic
oul
ddot
hatI
ntwoweeks
!"

"Wow!I
thoughtmaybet
hisweekend!
"

"Hedoes
n'thaveaVi
sayet
.Ineedt
osor
tthatout
!"

"Al
right
,Wi s
domI
trus
tyout
obr
inghi
mher
e!Samuel
,seeyout
hen!
"Coac
hFr
anc
is'
video
di
sappeared.
..

"Whatj
usthappenednow?"Wi
sdomas
kedf
eigni
ngs
urpr
ise

Lef
tycoul
dsti
llf
eeleveryf
ibr
eofhi
sbodyshaki
ng.
Hecoul
dn'
tbel
ievehej
ustspokewithWorl
d
FamousCoac
hFrancisandnotj
ustt
hati
tseemli
kehehear
dsomet
hingaboutt
ravell
ingint
wo
weeksti
me.
"Lef
ty,
whatc
har
mdi
dyouus
e?"Wi
sdomas
keds
creami
ngi
nexc
itement

"Char
m?Noc
har
m..
.I
t'
sjus
tGodI
dependon.
"Lef
tyr
espondedi
nadef
ens
ivemanner

"Man!Youar emade!CoachFranci
sdoesn'
tjus
taskscout
stobri
ngi
nplayer
sjus
tli
kethat
!Guy,
takethi
sfromme. Youarei
nalready!Wow!Thisi
sgoodnews,I
needtoshar
ethi
swithmywif
e"
Wisdomr ushedoutoft
heroom...

"
Thi
slookst
oogoodt
obet
rue!
"Lef
tys
aidt
ohi
msel
f

"Whensomet
hingappeart
oof
ast
,tooeas
y,i
tsomet
imesendsasahoax"Lef
tyr
emi
nded
hi
mself

"Sowher
eist
hepl
aceofMi
rac
les
?Andans
wer
edpr
ayer
s?"Lef
tyques
tioned

Hisphonevibr
atedagaini
nhispocket.
Hedi dn'thavetoc
hecktoknowwhoitwas
.Bayomust
havecall
edhimf orcl
oset
o10t i
mesint hel
as ttwentyminut
es,t
hankf
ull
yhehadtappedon
thesi
lentIc
onbef or
ethemeeti
ngs t
arted.

******

AsBayowalkedtowardst
hemanager'
soff
ice,hedi
aledSamuel
'snumberagai
n.Hewasnot
expec
tinghi
mt opic
kupbuts
urpr
isi
nglyhedid.

"Lef
ty!ThankGod!
"Bayos
aidashepaus
edbyt
hes
tai
rs

"Howf
ar?Guywhyar
eyous
tal
kingme?"Lef
tys
aids
oundi
ngver
yexc
ited

"St
alki
ngyou?I
amj
ustc
hec
kingonyout
obes
ureyouar
rivedatyourdes
tinat
ions
afel
yand
er
mm. .
.
."Bayosai
ddefens
ivel
ybuthequi
ckl
yremi
ndedhi
msel
fofwher
ehewasheaded.
He
si
ght
edt heCCTVonthest
airs
..
.

"Er
m..
Youwantt
oknowi
fiti
sar
ealdeal
?"Lef
tyc
uti
n

"Yeah!
"Bayor
epl
ied

"Bayo,yourSpi
ri
tualnosedi
dnotsmel
lthisr
ight.
Thi
sisl
egi
tandyouwoul
dn'
tbel
ievei
t,I
jus
t
spokewithCoachFranci
sfac
etofac
e"Left
ysaid

"Wow!Real
ly?"Bayof
akedhi
sexc
itement

"Yes
!Andgues
swhat
?Hel
ikesmeandHewant
smet
ocomeoveri
ntwoweeks
"

"OhNice!Wast
hemant het
rans
lat
or?
"Bayoas
kedoutoft
hebl
uesashewasal
mos
treac
hing
thedooroft
hemanager

"Whi
cht
rans
lat
or?"Lef
tyas
keds
oundi
ngl
ost

"Coac
hFr
anc
isdoes
n'ts
peakEngl
ish,
youmus
thaveus
edat
rans
lat
or!
"Bayos
aid

"Er
mm.
.
."

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:13pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART12

"THESHENANI
GANS"
"Er
m..
.
."Lef
tyl
osthi
swor
ds

"
Hes
pokeEngl
ish?"Bayoas
keds
arc
ast
ical
ly

"Yes
,May..
.
be,Maybehehasstar
tedspeakingEngl
ish.
.
."Lef
tys
aidqui
ckl
yaf
terr
ecover
ingf
rom
ther
eal
izat
iont
hatBayomightberi
ghtafterall
.

"Samuel,Coac
hFranci
sdoesn'
tSpeakEngl
ish,hespeaksonlyFrenc
h,everyoneknowsthat
!You
rememberwhenheevenmadet heatt
emptt ospeakEngl
ish,
Itwentvi
ral,
hewant edtocal
l
Freder
ick"Myboy"rememberhesaid"Myboi l
"BayoremindedLeft
y

I
tdawnedonLef
tyt
hathewasaboutt
obes
cammed.

"Guy!ButI
sawCoac
hFr
anc
isont
hes
creen"

"Guy, thes efraudster

scangot oanyl engt
h,theycanc r
eateabodydoubl e,youknow someone
thatlooksl ikehim. Guy,Ihavetogo,mybr anchmanageras kedtos eeme. Left
y,checkthi
s
thingwel l
,theywi l
ldrawy oucloseanddraineveryt
hingyouhave. Theyc anpromisetogiveyou
twomi llionbuti ntheproc es
sas kyoutodropyourtwohundr ed.Bef or
eyouknowwhat '
s
happeni ng,t heydisappearwithyour200wi thoutgi
vingyout hepromi sed2mi l
li
on.Thi
nkam
wel l
.Talkt oyoul at
er."

Bayohunguphur
riedl
y.

*****

Lef
tyfel
tlikeathi
ckcl
othcoveri
nghi
sfac
ehadbeenlif
tedandhec
oul
dseet
hel
ight
..
.He
walkedoutofthest
udychargi
ngtowar
dsthel
ivi
ngroom.

"Cal
mdownSamuel
!Don'
tber
ashi
nyourac
tionss
otheydon'
tki
llyou!Theyc
anki
llyouher
e
andbur
yyoui
nthi
sbi
gcompound.
Noonewoul
dbeabl
etot
rac
eyou.
"Het
oldhi
msel
f.

Likeasharpandswi
ftappear
anceofel
ect
ric
ityi
ntoadar
kroom,Lef
ty'
smi ndwassuddenly
il
luminatedandt
hatmadehimreali
zeabi
gmi st
akehehadmade;earl
ier
,hedidn'
tgiveBayo
theaddressofwherehewasheaded.

"
WhatI
f.
..
?"Lef
tyhur
riedl
ybr
oughtouthi
sphonef
romhi
spoc
ket
.

******

"
Theboydef
ini
tel
yhass
omegoodl
uck!
"Os
ass
aidpl
ayi
ngherpar
toft
hegame

"Honey,
Iams
til
loutofwor
ds,
theboy'
sst
oryi
saboutt
ochange!
"Wi
sdoms
aid

"ExactlywhatI
wasjusttel
li
ngAuntyGl
ori
a.I
wis
hI hadayounggi
rlwhoIcoul
dqui
cklyadvi
se
tothrowhersel
fonhim,becaus
ethatwoul
dbeali
feinsur
ancef
orherandherf
amil
y."Osass
aid
laughing

"Iwis
hI wasthatgi
rl
!"Morayot
houghtwit
hinher
sel
f.Shehadhear
dfr
omherbr
otherAyomi
de
thatf
orei
gnfootbal
lplayer
swerepai
dheavil
y.

"Coac
hFr
anc
isdoes
n'ts
peakEngl
ish!
"Lef
tys
aidwi
thanac
cus
ingt
onet
ohi
svoi
ce.

"Whatwasthat
!"Wis
domt
hought
.Wi
sdomwasnotexpec
tingt
hat
!Hedi
dn'
tknowt
hisgameof
hi
swasthatsmart
.

"YesHedoes
n't
!"Wi
sdoms
aidt
urni
ngt
oLef
ty.

Os
asdi
dnotl
iket
hes
oundoft
hati
nter
rupt
ion.I
fnotwel
lmanagedandi
tbl
ewupi
nthei
rfac
es,
Wisdomwasnotgoi
ngtobetheonlyl
oser
,shewasgoi
ngt
olos
eMor
ayoaswel
landpot
ent
ial
ly
anyothergamef
romAuntyGlor
ia.

"I
sther
eapr
obl
em,
Honey
?"Os
ass
aidqui
ckl
y

"Nots
ure!
"Wi
sdoms
aidashes
wit
chedt
olooki
ngi
nti
midat
ing.

"MaybeyouandMrLef
tys
houl
dgoi
ntot
hes
tudy"

"Nobabe!"Hes
aid

Lef
tywal
kedt
ohi
m..
.

"MrWisdom,ifyouar
elooki
ngfors
omeonetoscam,I
amwaybeyondthat
!Youshoul
dtr
y
bet
ternextt
ime."Lef
tysai
dashebeganappr
oac
hingtheexi
toft
hel
ivi
ngroom.

"Sc
am?You?ofwhat
?"Wi
sdoms
aids
oundi
ngi
nsul
ted

"Exact
ly!I
havenot
hing,s
otrysomeoneelse.Youc
reat
edaf
akeCoac
hFr
anc
isbutyouf
orgot
onethi
ng.Coac
hFranci
sdoes
n'tspeakEngl
ish!"

"Yes!butther
earesoftwaresthatc
anchangeyourlanguage..
.Guy,youaresooutdated!You
thoughtIwantedtotakeyourmoney?Howmuc hc ouldyoupos s
iblyhave?Scamyou?Whatan
i
ns ul
t!Fi
ne!Youcanleave!.SeewhoIwastryi
ngtohel phere"Wisdomf ei
gnedangert aki
nga
stepasift
oleavetheroombutwhenher eali
zedLeftywasreallyleavi
ng,hesai
d..
..
.

"Butletmeguess
!Someonehasbeenfeedi
ngyouwit
hspecul
ati
ons.Letmegues
s,t
hatperson
i
stheonemeetingyourneeds
,payi
ngyourr
entandposs
ibl
yhasplanst
obeyourmanageri
n
fut
ure!"
Lef
tys
toppedi
nhi
str
acks
..
.

"Guess
edasmuc h!Ineverimagi
nedyoutobes tupi
d.Whatanoffencet
omysel
ffort
hinki
ng
youweresmart.
Doyout hinkthi
sfri
endofyour
swhot akespr
ideinsayi
ng"
Iamtheonefeedi
ng
him"wil
lwantyoutosuddenlybecomeprosper
ouswithouthi
mt aki
ngthec
redi
t?"

"Noway!
"Aunt
yGl
ori
asc
reamed.
"Theywi
llkeepgi
vingyouadvi
set
hatwi
llkeepyoudown.
"

"Lef
typl
eas
efeelf
reet
ogo!
"Wi
sdoms
aidwal
kingaway.

*****

"Whereisyourheadatt
oday?Youhavebeenvi
si
ti
ngt
hegent
sfr
equent
ly!
"Thebr
anc
h
managersaidpoi
nti
ngathi
sCCTVScreen.

"I
ams
orr
ysi
r!
"

"Doyouneedt
hedayof
f!"

"Nos
ir!I
amf
ine"

"Taket
hedayof
f!"

"
Sir
?"

"I
knowyout
obeagoodwor
kers
owhat
everi
sbot
her
ingyouneedst
obef
ixed.
"
"Thankss
ir,
Ireal
lyappr
eci
atei
t!
"Bay
osai
d

"Nopr
obl
em!
"

Bayowal
kedoutoft
heof
fi
cef
eel
ingver
yel
ated.

******

Leftywasalr
eadypr
ost
rat
ingont
hef
loorapol
ogi
zi
ng.
Wis
domhads
ucc
eededi
nmaki
nghi
m
feelqui
lt
y..
.

"Seethi
sfoolI
wastryi
ngtohel
pthinki
ngIwanttoscamhim,Guywhatdoyouhave?Doyou
haveuptotenmil
li
oninyourac
count?Aunt
y!Pleas
el ett
hisf
ooll
eavemyhouse!
"Wi s
domsai
d

AuntyGl
ori
ahads
teppedi
napol
ogi
zi
ngonLef
ty'
sbehal
f.
..
Osashadpr
etendedt
obepi
ssedas
well

"Myin-
lawpleasedon'tlett
hepower
sfr
omhi
svi
ll
agemakehi
mlos
ethi
shel
pyouwantt
ogi
ve
hi
m."AuntyGlor
iapleadedmore

"I
ams
orr
y,i
twasmyf
riendwhoc
all
edt
otel
lmeyoumaybes
cammer
s".

"Andyouc
ouldnott
hinkf
oryours
elf,l
ookar
oundyou,
Ihavei
tal
l.Theonl
ymoneyI
wil
lbe
maki
ngoutofyoui
swhenyoustartear
ningmoney.
"

"I
ams
orr
y!"

"List
en!Ihavefor
givenyou,butI don'
tthinkIwanttohaveanyt hi
ngtodowithyou!Youarenot
rel
iable.
Someday,thisf
riendofyoursmayt ellyouIwanttoki
llyouandthatwouldmeanme
los
ingmyi nves
tment si
nyou. Guy!Iamt heonewhoi sgoi
ngtobes pendi
ngonyouf oryour
ExpressVis
a;whic
hi sgoi
ngt ocostmeaboutN3mi l
li
onNaira.
I amgoingtopayyourfli
ght
ti
cket
.Lef
ty,
ifIwantt
os c
amyouofwhatyouhave,
whic
hIbel
ievei
snotupt
oamilli
onNai
ra,
whywouldIwanttogothrought
hats
tres
s?"Wi
sdomsai
dinarushi
nadramati
cway.

"Iams or
ry,
Idon'tevenhaveupto1mil
li
on"Lef
tysai
dfurt
heri
ngsel
li
nghi
msel
fcheap"
Pleas
e
for
giveme!LikeAuntyheresai
d,i
tismyvi
ll
agepeopl
ethatar
eaft
erme!"

"Honey!Pl
easel
etthi
ssl
ide!"Osassai
d.Shewasi
naweathowWi
sdomt
urnedt
hes
ituat
ion
around.Nowonderhewas3s t
arSHENANIGANagent
.

"Iamnotsure,babe!
"Wisdoms
aidl
ikeawi
ckedpr
ofes
sionalhewas
.Lef
tyunknowi
ngl
yhad
j
ustpl
ayedintohishands
..
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:14pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART13

"THESHENANI
GANS

Bayowenttohi
sSupervi
sorandexplai
nedtoher,hehadbeengiventhedayoff.
Hetol
dher
expr
essl
yhehadtosaveafri
end.Ass hewasaboutcomplai
ning,sherec
eivedanemai
lfr
omthe
managerwhoobvi
ouslyhadseenthedramathroughherAlmightyCCTVlens.

"Fi
ne!Buti
fyoudon'
tres
umet
omor
row,
Iwi
llgi
veyourj
obt
osomeoneel
se!
"Bayo'
sSuper
vis
or
hadsai
d

Mis
sMar
garetwasahar
done,
shewasoneoft
hos
ebos
seswhol
ikedt
orubi
tinyourf
acet
hat
t
heywer
etheboss.

"Not
hingc
ans
topmef
romr
esumi
ngt
omor
row!
"Bayos
aidc
onf
ident
ly.

Al
mos
tli
keac
hec
kont
hatl
asts
tat
ement
,Bayof
elthi
sphonevi
brat
einhi
spoc
ket
.Hec
hec
ked
t
oseewhatnoti
fi
cati
oni
twas.Themomenthes
awi
twasat
extmes
sagef
romSamuel
,heknew
t
herewasf
ireonthemount
ain.

Lef
tynevers
endst
extmes
sages
.

Hequi
ckl
yopenedt
heSMSf
oldert
ochec
kthemes
sage;
itr
ead.
.
.

"IfI
don'tr
eachyouinthenextfi
veminutes
,thenIamindanger
.Comer
esc
uemef
romt
his
addres
s.Plot7-
10,Hibi
scusAvenue,
OffRandleSt
reet
."

"It
oldhi
m!Ihadabadf
eeli
ngaboutt
his
!WhatamI
goi
ngt
odo?"Bayobegant
orac
khi
sbr
ain
ashepac
kedhiswor
kbag.

Al
lthemovieshehadseenaboutr
escui
ngpeopl
ewhohadbeenkidnappedflas
hedt
hroughhi
s
mi
nd,andhetri
edgoingbac
kmemor ylanet
orecol
lec
tthes
tepst
heyhadt aken!

"ThePol
ice!
"Bayot
hought

"Butwhydon'
tyoupr
ay?"Heas
kedhi
msel
f

"Thi
sisnotaSpi
ri
tualmat
terBayo!
"Bayoc
hat
isedhi
msel
f

Ongetti
ngouts
idethebank,hefl
aggeddownabike.
Taki
ngthebuswoul
dbeawas
teoft
ime,
butbi
keswereveryfas
tintaki
ngpeoplet
othei
rdesti
nat
ions
.

Ashehoppedont
hebi
ke,
thebi
keengi
nei
mmedi
atel
ywentof
f.
"OgaSor
ry!"Thebi
kemans
aid

"Noproblem!"Bayowasnotbot
heredaboutanengi
nethatwentoff
,hewasmorec
onc er
ned
aboutget
tingtothePol
iceSt
ati
onaroundtheVi
cini
tywherehi
sfri
endwashel
dhostage.
..

"Pl
eas
esi
r,c
anyougetdown!Somet
hings
eemt
obewr
ongwi
thmybi
ke!
"Thebi
kemans
aid

Bayoal
ight
edandt
hebi
kemant
urnedt
hei
gni
ti
on.
Theengi
ner
esponded!

"ThankGod!
"Bayos
aid

Bayojumpedont
hebi ke,butt
otheonl
ooker
sits
eemLi
keBayo'
swei
ghtwaski
ll
ingt
heengi
ne,
theengi
newentoffagain.

Theydi
dthebac
kandfor
thabouttwoti
mes,butbyt
het
hir
dti
me,
thebi
kemandi
dnotal
low
Bayotoj
umponhisbi
kebef
orespeedi
ngof
f.

Themomenthi
sengi
ner
esponded,
hez
oomedof
f

"Oga!Somethi
ngisfol
lowingyou,don'
tletthatthi
ngki
llmeforcar
ryingyou!
"Thebikeman
shout
edoverhi
ss houl
derashezoomedof f
.Forlooki
ngoverhi
sshoulder
,hedidn'
tseean
oncomingbi
ke,t
heyc r
ashedint
oeachother!"

"Seewhoi
stalki
ngaboutsomethi
ngfol
lowi
ngme,
Nowwhohast
hebadl
uck?"Bayos
aid
hi
ssi
ngashelookedf
oranotherbi
ke.
.
.

******

Adaknel
tbef
oret
hec
hur
chal
tar
.Adac
hoos
etogot
othec
hur
chf
irs
tbef
oregoi
ngt
oher
f
riend'
shous
e.

"Fat her!GoodMor ningonceagain!Ihavecomet odaybec auseofMor ayo.

I don'tunderstand
whati sgoingon,wes pokeyester
dayandeveni nthemi dnightaboutawomanwhowant sto
helpher .Isens
ethiswomani snotagoodwoman!Shes awi thers
elf.
Shes awas nake,butMy
father,Igottoherhous eandI wastoldshehast r
avelledabroad.God,Ihopet hiswomani snot
takingMor ayoforSext raf
fi
cking.Pl
easedon'tletthi
swomant runcateherdes ti
ny.Webel i
eve
youhaveagr eatfutureforus.Weknowwear enotneari t,butyourWor dsaysyouwi lltakeusto
yourexpec tedendf orus.YourthoughtforusarethoughtsofGoodandnotevi lbuttotakeust o
Yourexpec tedend. God!Pleasefrus
trat
ewhat everplanstheyhaves etinmot iontotrunc at
e
yourpl ansforMorayo. "

******

Adi
oknewwher etof
indhi
sson.
Heknewhi
ssonwoul
dnotbeatt
hec
arpent
rys
hophewas
ser
vingasanappr
enti
cebuti
nst
eadatt
heGambl
ingc
ent
er.

AdiosawAyomi
de'
sT-shi
rt.Her
emember
edwhenhi
swi
fehadboughtt
hatT-s
hir
tfort
hei
r
son.Howhemis
seshi
sWife!

Ayomi
de'
sGambl
ingpar
tnerJ
eremi
ahs
awAdi
ofi
rst
!

"Ay!YourPaal
e!"J
eremi
ahs
aid

Ayomidetur
nedandknowingwhatwasbestf
orhim,
hetooktohi
sheel
s.Thoughhi
sfat
herwas
anotori
ousdrunk,
theol
dmanstil
lhadsomestr
ongbones
..
..

"Ayomi
de!St
opt
her
eifyoudon'
twantt
hundert
ost
rikeyou,
Wher
eisyours
ist
er?"

Ayomidepaus
ed..
.I
fitwasMorayo'
scas
e,t
henhewascover
ed.Heknewthei
rfat
herwasbroke
andthegoodnewsabouthi
sdaughters
endi
nghi
mforeigncur
renc
ysoonwil
lbewellacc
epted
byhi
m.
"Oh!Daddy.
.
.Mor
ayohast
ravel
ledooo"

Adi
owal
kedc
los
ert
ohi
mandgavehi
mahots
lap.
Ayomi
des
aws
tar
snodoubt
!

"Areyoumad?Doesyoursist
erhaveaninternat
ionalpass
porttalkl
essofavi
sa?Ayomi
de,
wheredidyous
ellyours
ist
erto?Iswearifyoudon'ttal
k,Iwi
llkil
lyoumyself
"

Ayomi
des
awhi
sfat
her
'shur
tingandpai
nedeyes
,heknewt
hismanc
oul
dki
llhi
m.

"I
knownot
hingabouti
tooo,
iti
sAunt
yGl
ori
a,t
heOkr
ikas
ell
ert
hatt
ookher
!"Ayomi
des
aidi
n
arus
h

"Aunt
yGl
ori
a?"Adi
oas
ked

"Yes
,theonet
hats
ell
sOkr
ikabes
ideMummy'
sshop!
"

Adiodidn'twaitf
oranymor
eexpl
anati
ons.Heknewwhohewasr efer
ringto.
Hehadalways
suspec
t edthatwomanwasaprost
itut
e..
.Adi
o'sbr
ainwasbegi
nni
ngtoi magi
newher
es hehad
takenMor ayoto.

Adi
orac
edt
owar
dsAunt
yGl
ori
a'
sshop.
.
.

******

Bayohadfoundabikeaft
erwait
ingf
oranot
herf
if
teenmi
nut
es.
Thi
swass
trange,
bec
aus
ethe
bankareawasneverscar
ceofbi
kes.
"EVEN THEVERYELECTSHALLBEDECI
EVED!
"

Bayokepthear
ingt
hisver
seoverandoveri
nhi
shear
t..
.

Hedi
dn'thaveti
met ochec
khi
sBibl
eorCheckwi
tht
heHol
ySpi
ri
twhatt
heSc
ript
urehadt
odo
wi
thhimort hi
sjour
neyhewasembarki
ngon.

Al
lhi
smi
ndwasf
ocus
edonwashowt
osavehi
sfr
iend.

*******

"Iamleavingooo,Youc
anseehowthi
sboywasabouttoloset
hisbigopport
uni
ty.
Mor ayo,
don'
tletyourvi
ll
agepeopl
emakeyoulos
ethi
sopportuni
ty"AuntyGlor
iasai
dtoMorayo

Thi
swasaf
terOs
ashadas
sur
edAunt
yGl
ori
ashewasgoi
ngt
ospeakwi
thWi
sdom.

"ButAuntyGl
oria,youcan'
tleavewi
thouthavi
ngbr
eakf
ast
.ChefFemi
,Pl
eas
epr
epar
e
breakf
astf
oreveryone!
"

"I
amf
ine!
"Lef
tys
aidl
ikeapr
odi
galc
hil
d.

"Comeon,Iknowhowt ospeaktomyhus band.

Thethingis,
Iwil
ladvi
seyoutost
aybacktoday
soyoucansti
llbeghiml
aterint
heeveningandpos s
iblygotot
heclubwithhi
mintheeveni
ng.I
ams ur
eaft
ert hat
,hewi
llcomearound!
"Os assai
d

"Thankyouma!

"Youar
ewelcome!
"Osassaidseduc
tively.Thes
educti
onwasonl
yobvi
oust
oLef
ty.
Aunt
yGl
ori
a
andMorayos
awthebeaut
ifulc
ompas sionateOsasi
nst
ead.
******

"Sir
, t
hiswasthet
extmes s
agehesentt
omeandI
havebeenc
all
inghi
mevers
inc
e!"Bayo
explai
nedtotheoff
iceratt
hecount
er

"Comewi
thme!
"TheOf
fi
cerr
epl
iedaf
terr
eadi
ngt
het
extmes
sage.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:15pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART14

"THESHENANI
GANS

"Wewoul
dli
ket
oseet
heowneroft
hishous
e!"ThePol
iceof
fi
cers
aidt
othes
ecur
ityman.

"I
hopet
her
eisnopr
obl
em?"Maxwel
las
ked

"I
tseemtheseSHENANIGANagent
shavebi
ttenmor
ethant
heyc
anc
hew.
Maybei
t'
stheyoung
gi
rl'
sfami
ly.
"Maxwellt
hought

"Iti
snoneofyourbusi
ness,
jus
tcal
ltheownerofthehouse.
"ThePoli
ceoffi
cers
aid"Orbet
ter
sti
ll
,Openthegate,
wehaveawar r
anttosear
chthishous
eforaKidnappedMrSamuelwhois
suspec
tedtobeheldhost
ageinthi
shouse!
"

"Host
age!Noway!Ever
yonewhoc
omesintot
hishousewal
ksi
nont
hei
rvol
it
ion.
Iamt
he
sec
uri
tyguar
dsoIknowwhatIamsay
ing.
"Maxwellsai
d

"MrMan,youar
ewasti
ngourt
ime,
getoutofmys
ightnow!
"Oneoft
heOf
fi
cer
ssai
dasheput
thegunt
oMaxwell
'sf
ace.
"AndBef
oreyougetof
fmyf
ace,
opent
hegat
eNOW!
"

Maxwel
lobeyed!

ThePolic
eVehi
cledr
oveintothecompoundandjustl
ikeever
yone;Bayoi
ncl
usi
ve,
theywer
e
stunnedbyt
hebeauti
fuledi
fi
ceandthegreener
yofthecompound.

"J
esusChr
ist
!"Bayohai
led

"Mybrother
,itshoc
kyout oo,Yousures
aydemkidnapyourfr
iendorhec
hoos
etos
tayher
e?"
Oneoftheoff
icerss
aidobviousl
ytakenbyt
hebeautyoftheplace.

Bayofelthewasoutofbreat
hashest
aredatt
hes
tupendousvi
ewi
nfr
ont
.Thi
swasdef
ini
tel
y
thebestviewhehadeverseeni
nhisl
if
e

"I
sthi
spl
acer
eal
?"Bayot
hought
.

*****

Osaswalkedint
othei
rfakebedr
oom.
Wis
domwasal
readypac
ingashehads
eent
hepol
ice
burs
tingint
othecompound.

"TheSHENANI
GANheadquar
ter
shaves
entmeanemai
las
kingi
fthepol
icei
nvas
ioni
spar
tof
ourpl
an"

"Andyourr
epl
y?"Os
asas
ked

"I
amyett
orepl
y,i
tseemsl
iket
hes
egameshaves
omes
eri
ousbac
kbones
"Wi
sdoms
aid
"Yes
!Whobr
oughti
nthepol
ice?"Os
asas
ked

"TheStars
earcheri
ndi
cat
edi
tisLef
ty'
sfr
iend,
soI
playedbac
kaf
terI
lef
thi
mint
heSt
udy
.
Someonecall
edhim"

Wisdomplayedbackthesc
ene.
Ther
ewasnoaudi
obutbywat
chi
ngt
hevi
deo,
Osaswasabl
eto
getthewholescenar
io.

"Wow!
"Os
asexc
lai
med

"Appar
entl
y,hemusthavegivenhi
mtheaddr
ess
"Wi
sdoms
aidwhent
hevi
deopl
ayedbac
kto
thepoi
ntofLef
tys
endingatext.

"Sowhatnext
?"Os
ass
aid

"
Wel
ethi
mgo!
"Wi
sdoms
aidc
onc
eedi
ngt
odef
eat
.

"Butt
hatwi
llmeanI
wil
llos
emygameaswel
l"Os
asas
ked

"Notnec
ess
ari
ly,wec
ankeepherandus
eadi
ff
erents
trat
egyonher
!"

"I
amnotl
iki
ngt
his
!"Os
ass
aid

"Menei
ther
,butl
etusgoc
leanupt
hismes
s,s
owedon'
tlos
eyourgame"

*****
"Whatareyoudoi
nghere?"Lef
tyhadr
ushedouttothefr
ontdoor.
Hehadheardthepol
icesir
en.
Atf
irs
t,f
earhadgri
ppedhimbutwhenhes awBayoali
ghti
ngfromthevehi
cle,
hismi
ndrelaxed.

However
,hewas
n'thappyt
oseeBayo.
Bayohadal
mos
tmadehi
mlos
ehi
sbi
goppor
tuni
ty.

"Ar
eyous
eri
ous
lyas
kingmet
hatques
tion?Yous
entmeat
extas
kingf
orhel
p!"

"Thatwasami
stake!Of
fi
cer
sIams
orr
y,I
sentt
hatt
exti
ner
ror
.Thi
ngshavebeens
ort
edout
!"

"HeyMi
ster!Keepqui
et!Youhavebeent
hreat
enedt
osayt
hat
!Yourhandsoveryourhead!
"The
of
fi
cers
aid

"I
amnotac
rimi
nal
!"

"Weknow,butgeti
nsi
de!"Theoffi
cersai
dfol
lowi
nghi
mwi
thagun.
Aboutt
woot
herof
fi
cer
s
fol
lowedwi
thBayowal
kingbehindthem.

Astheygoti
n,WisdomandOs
aswal
kedMaj
est
ical
lyi
ntot
heLi
vingr
ooml
ooki
ngs
hoc
ked.
Osas
act
edlikeas
caredwife.
.
.

"Honey!WhydowehavePol i
ceoff
icer
sinourhous
e?IsLeft
yacri
minal?Ihavetoldyou
Wisdom,t
hisyourgoodwi
llt
owardsNiger
iaboyswi
llnotendwel
l,Mostoftheseboyshavebeen
i
ntodrugs!
"Osassaid

"Honey!I
wil
lhandl
ethi
s!Gent
lemenoft
hef
orc
e,how c
anI
hel
pyou!
"

TheOff
icerssuddenlywentdumb!Theyallwer
efas
cinat
edbytheinter
iordec
orat
ionoft
he
hous
e,plusthepicturesofWi
sdomwithsomeofthefamousf
ootball
ers.
Mor
ayoandAunt
yGl
ori
awhower
eseat
edatt
hedi
ningt
abl
ehads
toppedeat
ingi
nfear
.

"Er
m..Er
mSir,t
hismanher
ecamet
otheSt
ati
onac
cus
ingt
heowneroft
hishous
eofki
dnappi
ng
hi
sfri
endher
e"

"Ki
dnap?"Ever
yonei
sshoc
ked.
.
.

"Ki
dnap?Wi l
lsomebodydemkidnapbeeati
ngri
ceandchic
ken!"AuntyGl
ori
asai
dfr
omt
he
di
ningtabl
e.Thatdr
ewt heat
tent
ionofever
yonetot
hediningt
able.

Bayohadseenthosekindofdi
ningt
abl
eonlyinmovieswhenevert
heAmericanswere
cel
ebrat
ingTHANKSGIVING.Hehadwatchedalotofmovi
esandthetabl
esetbefor
ehimwas
j
ustli
kesomethingfr
omamovi e.

"Youwer
eeat
ingont
hatt
abl
e?"Oneoft
heof
fi
cer
sas
kedi
naf
unnyway.
.
.

Lef
tynoddedpos
iti
vel
yinr
espons
e.

"Thenift
hisi
swhatKidnappingl
ooksl
ike,
Ogakidnapal
lofus
!"TheOf
fi
cers
aidpounc
ingon
thechai
rsatt
hedini
ngt abl
e.Hetol
dhimtheof
fi
c er
stoj
oinhi
m.

Thes
cenar
iol
ookedl
ikes
omet
hingf
romac
omedymovi
e.Bayopul
ledLef
tyas
ide!

"Itseemst
hismani
sLegi
t!Seet
hepi
ctur
es!Buthowwer
etheyabl
etogetCoac
hFr
anc
ist
o
speakEngl
ish?"

"Tec
hnol
ogymyguy!Youj
ustal
lowedmeembar
ras
smys
elf
.Ther
eisas
oft
war
ethatwi
llhel
p
c
hangeyourl
anguagewhenyouar
espeaki
ng.
"

"Real
ly?"

"Yes
!"

"Lef
tyt
hispl
acei
smaki
ngs
ens
e."

******

"I
ins
ist
,hehast
oleave!
"

"Leavet
owher
e?"Lef
tys
aidc
ryi
ng

"Toyourhous
ena!
"Aunt
yGl
oryr
epl
ied

"Youmus
tcar
rybadl
uck,youbet
tergopr
ay!
"Aunt
yGl
ori
asai
d

ThePoli
ceoff
icer
shadl
eftaf
tereat
ing.
Wis
domwant
edhi
moutoft
hehous
e,hewasal
ready
ti
redofthi
sgame.

"Sir
,Iamreal
lys
orr
y,I
didn'
tknowyouweregenui
ne.Pl
easedon'
tlethimloset
hegoodyou
haveforhi
mbecaus
eofme.Iwasjus
tbeenprot
ect
iveofhi
m."Bayopleaded

"Mi
ster
,Ihavenobus
ines
swi
thyou!I
needyouguysoutofmypr
oper
ty!
"Wi
sdoms
aid

"Nawaooo,
theenemi
est
hatar
efol
lowi
ngyouf
romyourvi
ll
agedembes
eni
orwi
tches
!"Aunt
y
Glor
ysai
d
"Aunt
ypl
eas
ehel
pmebeg!
"Lef
tys
aidt
oAunt
yGl
ori
a.

Os
asknews
heneededLef
tyi
nhers
trat
egy.
.
.

"CanI
tal
kyoupr
ivat
elydar
li
ng?"Os
ass
aidt
oWi
sdom.

*****

"Wearesoclos
e,infac
tIthinkwehaveanumberofgameswec
anplaywith.I
nsteadofhunt
ing
twogames,wecanhuntthree.ThatBayos
houl
dbeabiggamet
oo,
wes houldcheckhimouton
thes
tarsear
cher.
.
."Osassuggested

Wi
sdoml
ookedatOs
asl
ikes
hej
ustgavehi
mthebi
gges
tIdeaever
..
.

"Twof
ort
heef
for
tofone!Let
'sdot
his
!"

Fr
omt heCCTVscr
een,
theyc
apt
uredBayo'
sfac
eandupl
oadedi
tont
hes
tars
ear
cher
,hi
sst
ar
wentofft
hechar
t..
.

"Whatt
he.
.
..
"Wi
sdoms
creamed

"Noway!
"Os
asc
oul
dnotbel
ievewhatt
heywer
eseei
ngont
hei
rsc
reen.

Bayo'
sSt
arwashot
!!!

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:15pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART15
"THESHENANI
GANS"

AdiogottoAunt
yGlori
a'
sshop.Hemetherabsenc
ebutherphonenumberwasbodl
ywritt
enon
thedoorofthes
hop.Hebroughtouthi
sphone,
withs
hakyfi
ngershepunc
hedthedi
git
s..

*****

"Youhavet
ogof
indher
!"Adahear
davoi
cef
rombehi
ndher
.

Shel
ookedbac
kver
yshar
plyandt
her
ewasnoonet
her
e!

"How?Wher
e?I
don'
tknowwher
eshewent
"

"Got
oAunt
yGl
ori
a'
sshopnow!
"

******

"Oga!Povert ys
omet i
mesmakespesi
ndeybeli
eves
aysomekindthi
ngsnali
e!Beforeyou
reachhere,themangi vemeFi
vehundredt
hous
andNai
rafort
rans
portfar
e.Mybrother!No
lockdoorforyourf
riend!"

"Lockdoor
?Met hatI
haveopenedthedoorwideforhi
mandI haveenteredthedoorwi
thhim.
Aunty,
Godhast oldmethatIwil
lbehisManagersomedayandthroughthatIwil
lbever
yric
h.
Whoknowst hi
smaybet hebreakthr
ough!"Bayos
aidashekeptlookingaroundt
hemagnif
icent
li
vingr
oom.

"
SamuelseeTel
evis
ion!Wat
chi
ngMovi
esont
hisbi
gsc
reenwi
lll
ookl
ikewat
chi
ngmovi
esatt
he
c
inema!
"Bayosaid

"Wehaveani
nhous
eci
nema"Wi
sdoms
aidwal
kingi
ntot
heLi
vingr
oom.
"Yous
houl
dcomes
eei
t!
"Wi
sdoms
aidpul
li
ngBayoi
npar
tic
ular
..

Lef
tyandBayoexc
hangedl
ooks
.

"Aunt
yGl
ori
a!Yous
houl
dcomes
eei
ttoo,
Mor
ayoyous
houl
dcome!
"

"Youl
ovemovi
es?"Wi
sdomas
kedBayo

"Alot!
"Lef
tyanswer
ed.
"Someti
mes
,It
hinkhel
ivesi
nthemovi
ewor
ld.
Asi
def
romGod,
the
near
esttohi
shearti
smovi
es!
"

"Inter
esti
ng!Iactual
lyhavealargecoll
ect
ionofmovi
esint
hehomecinema,youc
anst
aysome
dayswhilewes or
toutyourfri
end'sVis
a.Thatway,
youcanfol
lowt
heproces
sandseet
he
authenti
ci
tyofwhatwear edoing."

Byt
hatt
ime,
theyhadgot
tent
otheCi
nema.
Itwasapr
ivat
eci
nemaf
orabout10peopl
e.

"MyGod!
"Bayoexc
lai
med

"Wow!
"Lef
tyhadnevers
eent
hiski
ndofweal
th.

"Ihear
dthismovi
e"FI
GTHINGREMA"wi
llberel
eas
edt
hisweek.
Icanas
kforapr
ivat
evi
ewi
ng
athomeifyouwil
lbei
nter
est
ed.
"Wis
doms ai
d

"Asi
ntheywi
llc
omepl
ayi
ther
e?"Bayoas
ked.Hewant
edt
oseet
hatmovi
e.I
twasas
equelt
o
REMA.
"Yeah,
Iwi
llhavet
opayN1mi
ll
ion"

"Ha!What
?That
'st
oomuc
h!"

"N1mi
ll
ioni
smuc
h?"Wi
sdoml
aughedhear
til
y.

"Well,
IamsurewhenLef
tyst
art
smaki
nghi
smoney,
yourmi
nds
etwi
llc
hange,
unl
esshewon'
t
shar
ehismoneywit
hyou!"

"Hedar
enot
!Wes
pendt
hemoneyt
oget
her
!"

"Whi
chMoney?TheMoneyyouwer
eaboutt
omakememi
sss
omehour
sbac
k!"

"Samuel
,thenI
wasbl
ind,
nowI
cans
ee!
"Bayos
aid

"Whi
chmovi
ecanI
seenow?I
amnotgoi
nghomet
oni
ght
!"

"Whataboutwor
ktomor
row?"Lef
tyas
ked

"Wor
kcanwai
t!Al
lwor
kandnopl
aymakesBayoadul
lboy!
"

Bayoi
mmedi
atel
yflas
hedbac
ktowhatMi
ssMagar
ett
oldhi
maboutl
osi
nghi
sjobi
fhedi
dn'
t
showupt
henextday.

"I
wil
lleaveher
ever
year
lyi
nthemor
ning"
"Ourdr
iverc
andr
opyouof
f!"Os
ass
aid

"Set
tledma!
"Bayowasr
eadyt
oseeagoodmovi
e.

"ButMrBayo!Youhavenothadfoodsi
nceyoucame,Whydon'tyougetbacktot
hedini
ngt
abl
e
andfil
lyourst
omachortheChefcanmakeyouPopcor
nforyoutoc omplet
etheci
nema
feel
ing.
"Osassai
dSmil
ing

"I
amnotmuc
hofaf
oodi
e,s
oIwi
llt
aket
hes
econdopt
ion"

*****

AuntyGlori
a'
sphonehadbeenr i
ngingNon-s
top.Thenumberwasanunf amil
iarnumber,soshe
wasn'
tinter
estedinpic
king.Shesuspec
tedi
tcouldbeoneoftheyounggirl
swhobought
cl
othesforher
. ShehadmadeFivehundredt
housandNair
athatday,shedeservedabreak.

"Aunt
yGl
ori
a,yourphonei
sri
ngi
ng"

*****

Adi
ohadbeendiali
ngthatnumberforover15mi
nut
es.Abi
kedr
ovet
owar
dshi
m,t
he
pas
sengeral
ight
edaft
erthebikest
opped.

"Adawher
eisyourf
riend?"

"I
don'
tknowSi
r!"

"Whatdoyoumeanyoudon'
tknow.
.
.St
artt
alki
ngnow!
"Adi
obar
kedatAda.
Adat
ookhert
imet
oexpl
ainal
lsheknew.

"Ha!TheyhavetakenMorayof
orPr
ost
itut
ion!"Adi
oshout
edandaf
teras
econdt
hought,
he
redi
aledAuntyGlor
ia'
snumber
!

Thi
sti
mear
ound,
shepi
ckedup.
.
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:16pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART16

"THESHENANI
GANS"

Aunt
yGlori
adecidedt
opickupherc
all
,whoeverhadbeenc
all
ingnons
topwasaboutt
orec
eive
someser
iousver
balabus
e.

"Hel
lo!Whobethi
s?Younogosc
hool,
Ifyouarecal
li
ngsomebodyandthepes
indi
dnotpi
ck,
yous
houldknowthepesi
nisi
nabus
inessarr
angement"Aunt
yGlori
asaid

"MadamGl or
ia!Iti
smeooo, Morayo'
sfat
her
,ifyoudon'
tbr
ingbac
kmydaught
ernow,Iwi
ll
bur
nthisyourshopandIwillgotoyourhous
eandbur ni
tdown!Wher
eismydaught
er?Where
i
sshe?"Adioscreamedoverthephone

AuntyGlor
ia'
sbrai
nhibernat
ed!Shewentblankastowhattodo.Shewasinbet weenthedevi
l
andthedeepbluesea.WasshetotakeMorayobackhomeandpos s
iblyl
osetheFivehundred
thousandt
hatwasgiventoher,orwasshereadyt
olosehershopwithal
ltheclotheswort
h
clos
et o2mil
li
onthere.

"Erm..
.BabaMorayoCalmdown!Al
lIamdoi
ngisf
oryou!Morayoi
shere,
youshoul
dspeakto
heryoursel
f.Pl
easedon'
tbur
ndownmystor
efortr
yingtohel
pyoupeople.
Iamdoingt
his
bec
aus
eofyourwi
fe,
shewasagoodpes
in!
"(Per
son)

Aunt
yGl
ori
awentbac
kint
otheCi
nemaandpul
ledoutMor
ayo.
.
.

"Ther
eispr
obl
em!Yourf
atherwant
smet
obr
ingyoubac
khomeorhewi
llbur
ndownmys
hop!
"

"Hewon'
tdos
uch!
"Mor
ayos
aidc
oll
ect
ingt
hephonef
romAunt
yGl
ori
a.

"Howcananyonewanttotakeawayt
hisgr
eatoppor
tuni
tyf
romme,
Godwi
llpuni
sht
hat
per
son!
"Morayothought

"Hel
loDaddy!
"

"Mor
ayo!ThankGodyouar
esaf
e,wher
ear
eyous
oIc
anc
omeandpi
ckyouup.
"

"Daddy,therei
snoneedt ocomepickmeup,Iamsor
ryf
ornotexpl
aini
ngeverythi
ngtoyout
his
morning,Youdrankalotyes
terdayandI
didn'
twantt
odi
stur
byou!"Morayosaidusi
ngher
fat
her'sweaknessagai
nsthi
m.

ThoughAdi
owasadr
unk,
hedi
dn'
tli
kehi
schi
ldr
ens
eei
nghi
mint
hatac
t.

"Daddy,
Godhasf
avour
edmet
hroughAunt
yGl
ori
a.Oneofherc
ust
omer
ssawmeyes
ter
day.
.
."

Adiocutin.
.
. "
Adaherehasexpl
ainedever
ythi
ngt
ome,
butMor
ayoar
eyous
uret
heyar
enot
ri
tual
istorsextr
aff
icker
s."

"NoDaddy!
,Iamac
tual
lyt
ravel
li
ngabr
oadt
odohous
ehol
djob,
likehous
ehel
pwor
k.I
bel
ievei
f
i
worktheref
or3year
s,I
shouldbeabl
etogetmyf
reedom!Andwhoknows
,imaybeabl
eto
s
endforyouandmysi
bli
ngstojoi
nmether
e!"

"Ar
eyous
ure?"Adi
oas
kedver
yuns
ure.

Adas
ignal
leds
hewant
edt
ospeakwi
thher
..

"Yourf
riendwant
stos
peakwi
thyou!
"

"Ok,
pleas
egi
vehert
hephone!
"Mor
ayos
aid

"Hel
loMor
ayo!
"Adas
aidc
aut
ious
lynotknowi
ngwhatt
oexpec
tfr
omherf
riend

I
nres
pons
e,Mor
ayos
creamedi
nexc
itement
..
.

"Ada, Iwi
shyouwer
ehere!J
esus!Adat
hiscoupl
eareananswert
omyli
feprayers.
Ada, why
don'tyoucome?Whoknowsift
hewomans eesyou,
shemighthel
pyout
oo.Wec antravel
together!
"

"
God.
.
."Adawasaboutt
osayGodFor
bidwhent
heSpi
ri
tofGodr
est
rai
nedher
.

"Got
oher
!"Shehear
dthevoi
ceagai
n.

No,shedidn'
twantt
ogo.
Thatpl
aceMor
ayowasf
eltl
ikeaLi
on'
sDen,
Adac
oul
dsens
eit
Spi
ri
tuall
y..
.

"Dani
eli
ntheLi
on'
sDen,
Thet
hreeHebr
ewChi
ldr
eni
nthef
ire,
Iwi
llbewi
thyou.
.
."Adahear
d
c
lear
ly.

"Ok!Letmec
omeover
,sendmet
headdr
ess
!"Adas
aid

"Ok,butwehavet
okeepits
imple,
Iwil
ltel
lthewomannowthatmyfat
heriss
endingmyf r
iend
tocheckoutt
hepl
aceIamstayi
ngandIbel
ieveGodwi
llt
ouc
hherhearttoc
onsideryou!
."

"Ok!
"Adas
aiddr
yly

"Ada,youarenotexc
ited,I
ams ur
ebyt
het
imeyougether
e,yourexc
itementl
evelwi
llgett
o
theroof
..
.Ada,moneyisgoodooo.
"

"
Hmm.
.
."

"I
wil
las
kAunt
yGl
ori
atos
endyout
headdr
essasat
extmes
sage"

"Ok,
butt
her
eisapr
obl
em I
don'
thavemuc
hforT-
far
e!"

"Ada,youseewhyI sai
dmoneyi sgood,AuntyGlori
athatbroughtmewasgi venfi
vehundred
thous
andnairafort
ransportf
are!Ada,come..
.Comeandenjoywi t
hme!Thesepeopl ear
elike
ATM, moneyisnotaproblemforthem!Findsomewher etoborrow,youwi
llpaythepersonback
withi
nterest
."Morayosai
dwi t
hs omuc hcer
taint
y.

Adagavet
hephonebac
ktoAdi
o..
.

"Daddy,
Adaiscomi
ngtopaymeavi
si
t,s
hewi
llt
ellyoual
otwhens
heget
sbac
k.Ber
est
ass
ured,Iamdoi
ngwel
l"
*****

"Ma,
myf atherwantsmyfr
iendtoseewhereI
am!"Morayos
aidt
oOsasaft
ertheyallhads
eena
movi
e.ShehadhintedAunt
yGl or
iawhopromi
sedt
ostaywit
hhersoAdadoes
n'tcauseher
pr
obl
emsl i
keBayodidtoLeft
y.

"Oh!
"OsaswastakenbySur
pri
se.
Shel
ookedt
owar
dsWi
sdomwhowasal
sos
hoc
kedbyt
he
newdevel
opment.

"Nopr
obl
em!
"Os
ass
aid"Wi
lls
hebes
tayi
ngover
night"

"Nots
urema!
"

"Oknoprobl
em!Aunt
yGl
ori
aIneedanap"Os
aswast
echni
cal
lyt
ell
ingAunt
yGl
ori
aitwast
ime
tol
eave.

"Noproblem,pl
eas
egoandr
est
.Iwi
llwai
tti
llt
hegi
rlc
omest
oavoi
danypr
obl
em.
.
.You
under
stand!!
"

"Oh!Wel
lthati
sthought
ful
!Toavoi
dtr
oubl
eli
ket
hatofBayoandLef
ty.
"Os
ass
aid.

*****

"Thes
egamess
eemt
obec
ompl
exbei
ngs
."Os
ass
aid

"Cal
mdownSHEOs as,t
hisi
sworki
ngoutforourgood,Whatift
hegi r
lcomingisabiggerdeal!
Whatifouri
nit
ial
lygamesareac
tual
lybai
tsfort
hebiggerones.Iams us
pecti
ngt hegi
rlcoming
i
sthebackboneofyourgame.Whydon'
tweletherinandseeifwec anmilkher!"

"Nevert
houghtabouti
tthatway!
"Os
ass
aid
"Buti
not
hernews
,What
'st
hatl
adys
til
ldoi
ngher
e?Shei
sofnoval
uet
ous
!"

"Well
,Ithi
nks
heisenjoyi
ngthel
if
eher
e,wehavet
obec
aref
ulwi
thher
,shec
ant
aket
hegame
awayfr
omhere.Letherbe.
"

******

Adawenthomet
oinf
ormhermot
her
..
.

"Mummy, Mor
ayot
ookofft
hismorni
ngwithAunt
yGlori
aforast
rangejob,t
hatwi
llkeepher
ther
efort
woweeks.HerDadsai
dIshoul
dgoconfi
rmthetrut
haboutthejob.
"

"Real
ly?"

"Yes!butdon'
tbes
car
ed,
Iwon'
tbegoi
ngal
one,
Ayomi
deherbr
otheri
sgoi
ngwi
thme!
"Ada
sai
d

Adahadt
oldAdi
otol
etAyomi
dees
cor
thert
othes
trangepl
ace.
.
.

For
tyfi
veminut
esi
ntot
hei
rtr
ip,
Adabegant
ofeelt
aki
ngAyomi
dewi
thherwasat
otal
mist
ake.
..

"You,
ehn,
lasl
as,
youwi
lls
til
lmar
ryme!
"Ayomi
des
sifl
aughi
ng

"Ayomi
de,
Iamyourel
derSi
ster
'sf
riend,
thatt
ell
syouI
amol
dert
hanyou!
"

"Howmanyyears
,twoyear
s,AgeisanumberAda,Haveyounotseenmar
riageswherethewif
e
i
stenyear
soldt
hanthehusband,whosayswecannotmanagethetwoyearsbetweenus!"
Ayomi
desaid
Adacouldt
ells
hehadc ar
riedaLoti
nthisjour
neyofhersl
ikeAbr
ahamdi d.
Goddidn'
ttel
lhert
o
takeAyomi
de,shej
ustwant eds
omelevelofsecur
ity.
Onthist
ypeofjour
ney,s
heoughttobe
prayi
ngandcommitt
ingwhatwasaheadi ntoGod'
shandbutAyomidewasnotgivi
ngherthe
breat
hings
pacetodothat!

"Andyouknow,i
nter
tri
balmarr
iagei
salwayss
weet!Imagi
neourweddi
ngcar
d,A&A.
.asper
Ayomi
deHooksAda. Wecanevenhaveourownreal
it
yshow..
.Omamakesensegan(I
twill
makealotofs
ense)

"J
esusChri
st!
"Adaexclai
med.Shehadmadeat
erri
blemi
stakebybr
ingi
ngt
hisboyal
ong.She
wi
shedshecouldgetanearpi
ecet
oshuthi
mout.
..

******

"Ajeooo!
"(Moneyooo,
Weal
thooo)Ayomi
des
creamedast
heygott
otheShenani
ganpr
ojec
t
house.

Thejourneyhadtakent hem4hour sasagainstt henormaltwohoursandAdawasalreadywor

n
out,butthebeaut
yoft heedif
ices
t andingi
nf rontoft hemwasbreatht
aki
ng.Thebeauty
rej
uvenatedherbrain.
Shec oul
dn'ttellwheret hestrengthcamefr
om!

"Ha!Anyonethats
aymySi stershoul
dl eavet
hiskindofpl
aceandconti
nuethesuf
fer
ingweare
in,
itwil
lnotbebet
terforthanperson.Theywillburyt
hatper
sonuntimely!
"Ayomi
des ai
doutof
admirat
ionoft
heli
feinfrontofhim..
.

*****

"Whoar
ethes
est
raydogsagai
n?"Maxwel
las
kedwi
thi
nhi
msel
f

"I
t'
sli
ketheseagentsaregreedy,
howmanygamesdot
heywantt
ohuntatt
hes
amet
ime!
"
Maxwells
aidunderhisbreat
h.
"Yespl
eas
e,howc
anI
hel
pyou?"Maxwel
lsai
d

"Wear
eher
etos
eemys
ist
er,
Mor
ayo!
"

"Doyouhaveanappoi
ntment
?Imeandoest
hebos
soft
hehous
eknowyouar
ecomi
ng?"
Maxwellas
ked

"Mor
ayos
aids
hewoul
dinf
ormher
!"Adas
aidi
nnoc
ent
ly.

*****

Wi
sdomandOs
asl
aidont
hei
rof
fi
cebeds
,whenWi
sdom'
sSt
arSear
chergaveanal
arm.
.
.

"I
ncomi
ngt
hreat
!Inc
omi
ngt
hreat
!

OsasandWisdomjumpedup,checkedthes
creenandsawthattheredci
rcl
eofaler
tthatus
ual
ly
al
ertsthemofPas
torsorSpi
ri
tual
lystr
ongpeoplewashover
ingoverthegi
rlatt
hegate!

"Whoi
ssheSt
arSear
cher
?"Os
asas
ked

Ont
hei
rsc
reen,
Ada'
sBi
odat
apopsup.
.
.

Name:AdaOkonkwo

Fi
rel
evel
:REDHOT

St
ars:
Hidden,
buts
uspec
tedt
obei
nthei
rbi
ll
ions
.

St
rengt
hs:
Praysal
ways
Weaknes
s:Lovest
ohel
pever
yone.

WisdomandOs
asl
ookedateachother
.Theyspokenowordsbuteachper
sonknewwhatt
he
ot
herpers
onwast
hinki
ng,
becausetheywereboththi
nki
ngali
ke..
.

"Shoul
dwel etherinandpos
sibl
yconquerhert
ooorShoul
dwel
etherr
etur
nimmedi
atel
yso
shedoesnotrescueourgame?"

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:17pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART17

"
THESHENANI
GANS

"Wehavet oletherin.Li
feitsel
fisar i
sk.EventheStarSEARCHERdoes n'
tknowhowmanys tar
s
shehas ,
thatmeansi tmustbeal otbuthasbeenhiddenSpi r
itual
ly,Idon'
tknowaboutyoubut
thi
sistheendoft heyear,
I wanttoc ashoutbigti
me! "Os assaid.
Shehadbi gpl
ansforthenext
year.Shewant stot r
avelt
oapr ivateisl
andwher eshec anhavet hefunofherli
feforamont h,
andwhoknowst hisAda'
sstarsmayf etchherthemoneyf orthetripandwhoknows ,t
hes t
ars
maypr ovideherenoughmoneyf orherr eti
rementplan. Shehopest oli
veinapri
vateis
landl i
ke
intheSeyc hel
les,UAE,Maldiveswhens hefi
nall
ysettlesdown.

Pover tyhadawayofc r eat i

ngdar e-devil
s .
Os asthoughtaboutwhos her eallywasandhows he
gott owher eshewasatt hemoment .Shewasoneoft hos ebornandbr edinapl acethats hould
neverber efferredt oasahous e.Itwasanol ddelapitat i
nghous ewheremi sc reantsands tr
eet
urchinsmadei ntot heirhome. Atni ght,theplacewasal waysamar ketpl ace.Newshadi tthat
thehous ewasbui ltbyar i
chmanwhomadehi smoneyf r
omus inghismot herandbr otherf or
moneyr it
ual s.Themoneyhadc omei nwi thintwoweeks ,butbyt hethirdweek, theghos tofhi s
mot herandbr others t
ar tedhaunt inghi m.Hehadc ont ractedthebuildingoft hehous etoa
const r
uctionc ompanywi thinthet woweeksofr eceivingt hemoneyandhadpai dthec ont r
ac t
or
full
y. Whent hec ont r
ac torhear dthatt hemanhadbec omei nsane,coupledwi ththef actthathe
hads tartedhavi ngni ght mar es,hebol tedout .Thehous ehadbeenbui l
tupt oahabi tables tate
butt herewer ewi ndowsyet .Osasr emember edhowt heygott hewindows ideofoneoft he
roomsi nt hebui lding.Thehous ewasa24r oombui ldingwhi cht hemanhadi ntendedt ot urn
i
nt oanhot el.Streetur chi nswer ethef i
rsttomovei nt ot hehous eafteraboutf i
veyear sofno
onec laimingt hepr oper ty.Bythatt imenewshadi tt hatt hemanhadc ommi tteds ui
c i
de.J oin
ourWhat
sAppandt
elegr
ampagef
ormor
est
ori
est
hroughI
shmaelon+233544142683.

Afterthest
reetur
chi
nsmovedin,t
heybecamet
heLandlor
dandstar
tedrentingsl
eepi
ng
spacestopeoplef
orN50perhead,andi
fiti
saf
ami
ly,N100foraf
amilyoffour.

ThiswaswhereOsasgr
ewup,Osasrememberedhowmos
quit
oeswerenotstr
anger
st ot
hem
andhowCoughandCat ar
rhwasaregul
ars
icknes
sbec
auset
heywerepart
icul
arl
ysleepi
ngnear
theopenwindow.

Osasandherfami
lyhadst
ayedinthathous
efor8year
suntilthegover
nmentc
amet
oevac
uat
e
ever
yoneastheycl
aimedthebui
ldi
ngwasgoingtocol
laps
es oon.

Osasrememberedi
twasatt
hatpoi
ntherf
amil
ylostc
onnec
tionwi
thher
.Hermot
herhads
ent
hertoheraunt
ywhowasworki
ngasamaidinari
chhome.

Osashadj oi
nedherauntyintheBROWN' sMans i
onasherAunty'
shelper
.HerAunt ywastheir
chef.Osaswasonly12yearsold.Osashadseenanothersi
deofli
fe,t
hatwaswher eshepi
c ked
uptheEngl i
shLanguage.Thoughsheneversawt hewall
sofsc
hool,s
hes pokef
luentEngl
ish
becauseoftheBROWN' skidsshegrewupwi th.

Aft
erspendi
ng15year
swi t
ht hem,theBROWNswont
heAmer
icanVi
saLot
ter
yandt
heyal
l
rel
ocat
edAbroad.
Theycouldn'tt
akeOsasal
ongwi
tht
hem.

Bythattime,Osas'f
amilywaslivi
nginaonebedr
oomapar t
mentwithheryoungeroneswho
l
ookedlikemiscreants
.Osasdidn'
tseehers
elfmi
xingwiththemanyl
onger.HerAunty,whowas
theChefrel
ocatedtothevil
lagewhereshehadbuilther
sel
fabungal
owfromt hemoneyof
worki
ngwi ththeBROWNS.

I
twasei
thers
hef
oll
owedherAunt
ybac
ktot
hevi
ll
ageorr
etur
ntoherf
ami
ly.

Osaswasnothavi
ngei
theroft
hose.Shehadwat
chedal
otofmovi
esaboutt
he"
babygi
rll
if
e",
shehadseenhowbadgir
lsmadealotofmoney.
.
.
"Butt
hei
rendi
snotal
waysgood!
"herc
ons
cienc
ehadt
riedt
owar
nher

"That
'sbec
auset
heydidn'
tstopwhentheyweresuppos
edto!I
wil
lst
opwhenI
makeenough
moneytostar
tabus
iness"Shehadfoughtherc
onsci
ence.
.
.

"Okl
et'
sseehowt
hatgoes
!"

Osasremember edhows hehads atdownwi thoneoft hetrendi ngmovi esbac ki nthedays ,i

t
wast i
tl
ed"THEABUJ ABABYGI RLS".I
twast hestor
yofavi ll
agegi r
lwhot ravel edt oAbuj afor
greenerpas t
ures.Shehadr uni ntosomegi rlsintheclubwhoi ntroducedheri nt opr osti
tuti
on.
Shebec amever yrichbys l
eepi ngwi ththeric hmeni nthecity.Shegr ews obi g, shebec amea
MADAMpr ost
ituti
ngyounggi rls.Sheeventual l
yhadac hi
ldanddes pi
tewant ingt hegoodl ife
andgoodeduc ati
onf orthec hil
d, herdaught erchoseprosti
tution.Des pi
t etheMadam' srefusal
ofherdaught erjoi
ningthegi r
lsatherbr othel ,
thegirl
swhos awi tasameansofget t
ingbac kat
Madamf orthelargec ut
ss het akesfromt hei rmoneydec i
dedt oenc ouraget hegi rlinto
fol
lowingherdr eams .Duringoneofheres capades,shehaddi edmys terious ly.

Osasremember
edherconsci
enc
etel
li
nghernott
oendupl
ikeMadame,butOs
ast
oldher
consc
ienc
eshewassmarter
!

"I
wil
lhi
demybus
ines
sfr
ommydaught
erands
endherabr
oadwher
eshewi
llt
urnoutgr
eat
!"

"Hel
lo!SHEOs as
!Areyouwithme?"Wis
domvoicewasri
ngi
ngloudl
yinherear
s,buti
twast
he
vi
gor
ouss haki
ngofherlef
tshoul
dert
hatbr
oughtherbac
ktothepresent
.

"YesHEWi
sdom!
"

"Whatwast
hat
?DoyoudoAs
tralt
ravel
li
ng?"
"No,
Iwasj
ustl
osti
nthought
s,I
wast
hinki
ngaboutmyyoungerdays
!"

"Oh!Forami nut
eIt
houghtyouhadl
eftyourbody!
"Wi
sdoms
aidandf
ort
hef
irs
tti
meOs
ass
aw
feari
nhiseyes.

"No,
butdoyoudoAs
tralt
ravel
li
ng?"Os
asas
ked

"Noway!Inallmybadmoves,
I cannevert
ryt
hatagai
n,t
heonet
imeI
travel
led,
Igotl
osti
nthe
Spi
ri
treal
mf ortwodays
,Ic
ouldn'tf
indmywayback!"

"Real
ly?Tel
lmeabouti
t!
"

"Iwil
l,butnowisnott
het
ime,
wehaves
omegamest
oat
tendt
o.Soweagr
eet
obr
ingi
nthe
fi
regi
rlinhere!
"

"Yep!Watchmequenc hherfi
re!"Os aswalkedoutoftheirroom.Prost
itutionhadgivenheran
edgeintheSHENANI GANbus i
nes s,sheknewt heartofseducti
ons owell.Seduct
ioninthiscase
wastheabil
it
yt omanipulat
epeopl eeit
herbywor dsandac ti
onsintodoingone'sbiddi
ng. Osas
knews hewasac ommanderinc hiefintheartofseducti
on.Shewasgoi ngt oSeducethisAda
Okonkwointolosingherfi
reandandul t
imatelycol
lecti
ngeverythingshehas ..
.

******

Mor
ayohadr
ushedoutt
opi
ckAda.

"Si
r,Shei
smyf
riendandmyyyybr
other
!"Mor
ayos
aidf
las
hingherwhi
tet
eet
hatMaxwel
l.

"
Ok!"Maxwel
lsai
dwi
thaf
akes
mil
eAdat
ooknot
eof
.
"Wel
comet
opar
adi
se!
"Mor
ayos
aid

"Heaveni
s.
..
.
"Adawass
ayi
ngbutAy
omi
dec
uti
n

"Youcansayt
hatagai
n.Godpuni
shwhoeverthatsaysI
shoul
dnothavemoney.
Theywi
llbur
y
theper
sononthedayIamdoinghous
ewarmingformyfirs
tmansi
on"

"Ha!Ayomide,Ibegyoureduc
eyourvoice.
Adawhydi dyoubri
ngthisLOTalongonthejourney
toourcanaanl
and"Morayosai
ditasajokebutAdastoppedinhert
racks.
.
.Shewashighly
sensi
ti
veinherwalkwithGod.SheknewMor ayodi
dn'tsayt
hosewords,t
heHolySpi
ritdefi
nit
ely
wassayingsomethi
ng..
.

"Ofat
ruth,
Goddidnotas
kmetobringAyomi
de!"
Adat
hought
..
."I
hopet
hiswi
llnots
topGod
fr
omspeaki
ngwit
hmei nthi
spl
ace!
"

Tobec
ont
inued.
.

[
29/
06,
4:18pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART18

"THESHENANI
GANS"

"
Shec an'
tleaveher
e!Ada,
areyouokay?"Ayomi
des
aidwi
theyesass
car
yast
hatofahungr
y
l
ion.

Adahadwal
kedi
ntot
hehous
ethatt
rul
ylookedl
ikeapal
ace,
butherSpi
ri
tdi
dn'
tli
ket
he
at
mospher
eonebi
t.

Godhads
entherher
etogetMor
ayooutofher
eands
hehadt
oac
hievet
hat
!
"
SoAbr
amdepar
tedast
heLORDhadi
nst
ruc
ted,
andLotwentwi
thhi
m."Gen12:
4

Adas
uddenl
yremember
edt
heBi
bleSt
udyoft
hepr
evi
ousday.

"Li
stenBret
hren,Godc antrul
ygiveyouanassignmentwhichyouhonest
lywantt
ocarr
yout
,
butyoucouldbeaf ai
lureatthatas
signmentifyoutakeawrongpersonwit
hyouonthat
j
ourney.Bewatchfulofyourfri
ends,bus
ines
spar t
ner,event
heli
fepart
neryouwantt
omarry!
"

Adacoul
dseewhatBrot
herLawrencehadpreached,playi
ngout
.ShehadObeyedGodby
comi
ngtothi
sDen,butshehadbroughtAyomidealong.

Shehadal
loweds
ent
iment
s.

Her
eshewas,tr
yingt
omakeMor
ayos
eer
eas
onswhys
hehadt
oret
urnhomebutAyomi
dewas
i
nbetweenl
ikeadevi
l.

"
Mor
ayo,
Idon'
tseeyouasamai
d,youar
eGod'
spr
inc
ess
!"Adas
aid.

"Auntydon'
tcomehereandSpiri
tual
izeever
ythi
ng.I
sGodagai
nstpeopl
eser
vingasmai
ds,
so
maidsaredevi
l'
schi
ldr
en?"Ayomidesaid

"Ayomide,that
'snotwhatI
mean.WhatImeanis,
Idon'
tbel
ievei
tisGod'
spl
anf
orMor
ayot
o
tr
avelabroadtobeahousemai
d.Shest
il
lhashereduc
ati
onaheadofher"

"Educ
ation?Withwhic
hmoney?"Ayomi
deat
tac
kedagai
nashekeptl
ooki
ngar
oundt
he
magnif
icentl
ivi
ngroom.

"Godwi
llpr
ovide!Bes
ides
,Ourpl
anistolear
nacraf
tandonc
ewes
tar
tmaki
ngmoney,
wec
an
gost
udypart
-ti
me"Adas ai
daboutSheandMorayo'
spl
an

"Whenyouguysar
e30year
sol
dabi
?Adabes
mar
tnow!Youguysar
esi
xteenyear
sol
dnow,
andAdayouar
elear
ningHai
rdr
ess
ingf
orhowmanyyear
s..
.
"

"J
ust2year
s!"Adar
epl
ied

"Ok,soby18yearsoldyouwi l
lbegoingf
r omhousetohousemakinghai
rforpeopl
e,f
oraslow
asTwohundredNai r
a!Ada,Ibeli
eveitwi
lltakeyouanot
herfi
veyearst
ogathermoneyforyour
fi
rstyeari
ntheunivers
ity.
.
."Ayomidemocked

"What'syourpoi
nt?"Mor
ayointerr
uptedthei
rarguments
.Morayodidn'twantMadamOs as
walki
ngintothei
rargument
s.Al s
o,AuntyGlor
iaandthetwomenhadr et
urnedint
ot heci
nema
toseeanothermovie,
soMorayowantedthemt ohaveaconcr
eteconclusi
onbeforetheyall
showedup.

"Mylogicalpoi
ntist hat,yous houldtravel
,therearebet
terpros
pec
tst
here.
"Ayomidesai
d
blunt
lywithaseriousf acet hatwasalientoMor ayoandAda.Ayomi
dewastheunser
ioust
ype
butherehewass erious l
ys eriousaboutthesituat
ion.

"
Asamai
d?"Adai
nter
rupt
ed

"Yesasamaidforonl
yaf ewyear
s.Saveenoughtostudyt
here.
Afteryourst
udy, youstar
t
worki
ng.I
nthreeyear
s,youwouldhavegatheredenoughmoneytosendforallofus!"

Adac
oul
dn'
tbel
ieveAyomi
de.
Hehadt
hebr
ainofac
hil
d.

"God,
howdoI
cor
rec
tmyer
ror
!"Adat
houghtbi
tter
ly.

"Hel
lo!
"Avoi
cet
hats
entc
hil
lsdownAda'
sspi
ner
angl
oudl
yfr
ombehi
ndher
..
.

"I
gues
sthi
sisourf
riendand.
.
."Os
ass
aidatt
hes
ightofAdaandatt
hes
amet
imeques
tioni
ng
Ayomi
de'
spr
esenc
e.

"Mybr
other
!Het
aggedal
ong!Myf
athers
enthi
maswel
ltoens
uremys
afet
y!"

"Ok!Beaut
if
ulyou!"Shes
aidf
aci
ngAda

"Th.
.
ankyouma!
"Adas
aids
tut
ter
ing.Shewasbl
ownawaybyherbeaut
y

"
Thewomani
sindeedver
ybeaut
if
ulj
ustl
ikeMor
ayos
aid.
"Adat
hought

"Mynamei
sOs
as,
that
'smyhus
band"Shes
aidpoi
nti
ngt
otheweddi
ngf
rame.

"Yesma!
"

"Youarewelcome!Iguessyouwil
lbestayi
ngthenight
,it
'sl
atealr
eady.Ihavetocat
chupwit
h
acli
ent,s
oI won'
tbeabletospeaktoy
our i
ghtnow!WhenI getback,
youc anaskmeallt
he
quest
ionsyoumaywantt oaskmeaboutmyhel pt
owardsMor ayo.
Isthatf
ine?"

"Yes
!"Ayomi
deans
wer
edi
nar
ush

Adawasnotpl
anni
ngt
osl
eepover
,shedi
dn'
ttel
lhermot
hers
hewasgoi
ngt
osl
eepover
.

"AndYou?"Osasas
kedfac
ingAda.
Shewonder edwhothi
sjumpybrotherwas
.Shec
ouldn'
twai
t
togethi
moutofthegamehunti
ng,butshecoulds
ensesomeusef
ulnesstohi
m.Heseemtobe
sweptof
fhisf
eetbythedi
spl
ayofwealt
h..

"I
didn'
ttel
lmymumorMor
ayo'
sDad,
thatwewi
llbes
leepi
ngover
!"
"Youc
oul
dcal
lthemwi
thAunt
yGl
ori
a'
sphone.
"Mor
ayos
aid

"Oryouc
oul
dus
emi
ne?"Os
asof
fer
ed

Adadidn'thaveac hoice,s
heappearedtobeinthemiddl
eoft
heconver
sati
on..
.
Infew s
econds
ofthi
nking,shecons i
deredtheprobabi
li
tyofbei
ngablet
oconvi
nceAdaoverni
ghtwhen
Ayomidewass leeping.

"Okma'
am!
"Adas
aid

Os
ass
mil
edof
fer
ingherphone.
Herpl
anwaswor
king.
.
.

Shewant
edtheFi
regi
rltosl
eepover
night
.Shewant
eds
omeal
onet
imewi
thhers
oshec
oul
d
seduc
eherwi
thherwords.

"Hel
loMummy!
"Adas
aid

******

"HelloYes,Whoist his.
..
Ada?...
.
Aunt yI don'thavec hange, Whydon'tyoubuyFi ftyNairamor e,
thenI gi
veyouabal anceofTwohundr ed"MamaAdawass aying.
Adahadc al
ledatawr ongt ime.
Thiswast hepeakper iodofhermot her '
sbeanc akebus iness.Ada'sMot herfr
iedBeanc akeatt he
juncti
onwher eshemades omet hous andsever yday.Att heendoft hemont h,whenevers he
calculat
edherpr ofi
t,Shewasr icherthanmos tCivilservants.Shesol
dBeanc ake, Fr
iedYamand
Friedpotatoesatthepopul arbustopc l
os etotheirhous e.From4pmt i
ll10pmwasherpeak
selli
ngper i
odast hatwasthet i
mewor ker swerer eturningfromwor k,especi
allybachelor sand
spinster
s.

"Ada,
Iami
nthemi
ddl
eofmaki
ngmoney,
Whati
sit
?"Ada'
sMot
herSc
reamed"
Areyoubac
k
home?"
"Nomum,
Ijus
tgott
her
e!Ther
ewasal
otoft
raf
fi
cont
heway,
soI
wasadvi
sedt
osl
eepover
!"

"Ok!Ok..
.noprobl
em"Ada'sMothersai
dinahurry.
Adaknewt hatwasnotherSpi
ri
tualmot
her
tal
king,
thatwasthebusi
nessmindedsideofhermothert
alki
ng.Ifhermot
herwasn'
tbusy,
she
wouldhavescannedt
hingsSpi
ri
tuall
y.

"Okmummy,andpl
eas
etel
lMor
ayo'
sDad!
"

Adahungupandr
etur
nedt
hephone.

"Shesai
dnopr
oblemma!I wi
lll
eaveveryearl
yt omor
rowby.
..
.
"AdawasabouttosaybyGod'
s
Grac
ebutshes
toppedher
self
.ShesuddenlybecameashamedofCal
li
ngGodthere.

"I
don'
twantt
osoundal
lSpi
ri
tual
!"Adas
aidt
oher
sel
f.

"I
t'
sfi
ne,pleas
efeelathome.Mor
ayo,
tel
lthec
heft
oshowhert
oherownr
oom,s
eper
atef
rom
your
s!"Osassai
d

"No,
thatwon'
tbenec
ess
ary,I
wil
lst
aywi
thMor
ayoi
nherr
oom!
"

"Whys queezeyours
elfononebedwhenwehavesever
al.
"Osasi
nsi
sted.
Shedi
dn'
twantt
he
fi
regi
rlstayi
ngwithhergameoverni
ght
.Shec
ouldendupconvi
nci
ngher.

"Don'
tmindher,povertyc anmakelivi
ngagoodli
fel
ooklikesi
ntosomepeople.Aunty,asfor
meI wil
lsl
eepinas eperateroom.Backint
hehouse,6ofussharearoom,
sothisisenjoyment
onahighlevel.
AlsoAunt y,pl
easeletmeshootmyshot,
AuntyIcanbeamalehous ehelpooo"
Ayomidesaid
"OhReally,
welll
et'
stakei
toneatatime,
andbes
idesIonl
yhelpladi
es,
notboys
.IfAdawas
i
nter
ested,maybeIwouldhavehel
pedher
!"Os
assaidal
soshoot
inghershot
.

"Shei
s!Aunt
yshei
sint
eres
ted!
"Mor
ayos
aidi
nar
ush.
TheOppor
tuni
tys
hehadbeenwai
ti
ng
for
.

"No.
.
Iamnot
..
."Adas
aiddef
endi
ngher
sel
f

"Shei
sver
yint
eres
ted,
shei
sjus
tshybec
aus
eyouar
eher
e!"Mor
ayos
aid

"Well
,ifyouar
ereal
lyi
nter
est
ed,
Letmeknowont
imes
oIc
anpr
oces
sbot
hofyourVi
sasat
onc
e!"

"Aunt
y,s
heisi
nter
est
ed,Don'
tletuskeepyouwai
ti
ng.
.
."Mor
ayos
aidpul
li
ngAdaawayf
rom
Osast
okeepAdafr
oms t
oppi
ngt hepr
ocess.
..

"Alri
ght!Seeyouguyslat
er!Ifyouneedanythi
ng,tal
ktothechefandyouaref
reetogoto
anywhereinthehouseexceptmymat ri
monialroom"Osassai
dgivingasweets
mileasshe
walkedout..
.

"Mor
ayo.
.
.Iamnoti
nter
est
ed"Adas
aidt
hemomentOs
aswasoutofs
ight
..
.

"Wai
tti
llyous
eet
hewhol
ehous
e!"Mor
ayos
aidexc
itedl
y

"Morayo,Bibl
ecal
lpeoplel
ikethis"Peopl
ewithLyingtongues"
..
.Morayo,
thi
swomans houl
dbe
asextraf
fic
kerwhoislooki
ngforyounggirlst
os el
ltodepravedoldr
ichmenabroad.
Ihavea
gr
eatfutureandIamnotaboutt osellf
oratoken!"

"Ada,
youhavepr
obl
emooo!
"Ayomi
des
aidt
oAda"
Ada,
thi
syourbr
andofChr
ist
iani
tyhasdone
youbad,theChris
tianit
ythatmakesyouseeanyonetr
yingtohelpyouasthedevi
l.Godwil
lhel
p
you!Morayoifyoulikelos
ethisopport
uni
ty,
mygeneration,eventheunbor
noneswi l
lcur
se
you.Pl
easeshowmear ound,l
etmef eedmyeyesandmind."Ayomidesai
dseri
ousl
y.

********

Wisdomsati
nhisof
fic
ec umbedr
oom,hewat
chedOs
ass
peaki
ngt
othegameandexi
ti
ngt
he
house.
Hesawtheteenagerst
our
ingt
hehous
e!

Thi
swashi
sownmoment
!

Wi
sdomwal
kedoutofhi
sbedr
oomr
eadyt
ogeti
ntot
heheadoft
hef
iregi
rl
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:19pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART19

"THESHENANI
GANS"

Wis
domappl
iedhiss
educ
tion/Favours
pray;hehadboughti
tfr
omoneoft
hes
eSpi
ri
tuals
hops
.
I
tcosthi
mafor
tune!

Thefi
regir
lwasnotsomeonetouseOrdi
nar
ybrai
ntac
tic
son,sheneededanotherpowert
hat
coul
ds upressandweakenherdef
ens
es.Wi
sdomhadthoughtaboutt
hisbef
oresteppi
ngoutof
theoff
ice.
..

******

MorayotookAdafirsttothebedroomt hathadbeengi
ventoher.Itwasmor ebeauti
fult
han
mosthighprofi
lehotelrooms.I
twasal argeroomwithaKingsi
zebed. Thei
nteri
ordecorwas
beauti
ful
lydone,theyhadplayedwithPink,Purpl
eandatouchofor angeasthethemeofthe
room.Adahadhermout hwideopen,theLuxurywastoobreat
htakingnottobetakeninand
apprec
iated.
"Tr
uly,moneyi
sgood!
"Adas
aidqui
etl
y.

"Yes
!Iti
s!"Mor
ayor
epl
ied

"Yous
aidwhat
?"Ayomi
des
aidj
oki
ng.
.

Aknoc
katt
hebedr
oomdoorhadt
hemal
ltur
nings
har
plyatt
hedoor
.

Adas
tar
tedper
cei
vinganof
fens
iveodour
!

"Whats
mel
list
hat
?"Adas
aidt
oMor
ayo.
.
.

Ther
ewasac
hokydevi
li
shs
mel
looz
ingoutofs
omewher
e..
.

"Yes,
Pleas
ewhoi
sther
e?"Mor
ayoans
wer
edt
heknoc
kins
tead.

"Wi
sdom!Mr
sOs
as'
hus
band!
"Wi
sdomans
wer
ed

"Oks
ir!
"Mor
ayo'
seyepopped.
.

Sher
ant
owar
dst
hedooropeni
ngi
tinar
ush.

"Yess
ir!
"
ThemomentWisdomcamei
ntot
hef
ullvi
ewofAda,
Adawasnots
ureofwhathappenedt
oher
,
shel
osther
sel
fther
e..
.

Thepers
onstandi
nginfr
ontofherwaspr
obabl
ythemos
thands
omemans
hehadevers
eeni
n
herl
if
e.Hehadac har
mingsmil
e!

"Hel
lo!
"

MorayoandAyomidehadgr
eet
edhim,butAdalookedstarst
ruc
k..
.
Mor
ayopi
nchedherandt
he
pai
nwents t
rai
ghtint
oAda'
sbr
aint
oreformatherbrai
n...

"Goodmor
ning,
Aft
ernoonNo.
.
.Eveni
ngs
ir"Adas
tut
ter
ed

"Wear
eac
tual
lyi
ntheeveni
ng"Wi
sdoms
aidwi
thac
har
mingpl
ayboys
mil
e..

"Oks
ir!Thankyou.
.
.NoI
meanI
ams
orr
ysi
r.
..
Nopr
obl
em!
"

Mor
ayokeptl
ooki
ngatAda.
Somet
hingwasdef
ini
tel
ywr
ongwi
thher
.

"Alri
ght,
Ijustcamet
osayhitoyou,
mywi
fet
oldmewehavet
wovi
si
tor
s"Wi
sdoms
aid.
"Pl
eas
e
feelf
reetojoi
nusint
hecinema"

"Yess
ir,
wewi
llj
oinyous
oon!
"Mor
ayos
aid

Wisdoms teppedouti
ngrands t
yle,heknewhehadstart
edc onquer
ingthef
iregi
rl
.Firs
t
impressi
onstheysayl
astlonger.Heknewhisf
irs
timpressi
onwasgoi ngtol
astinherheadf
ora
verylongtime.
*****

"Whatwast
hatAunt
y!"Mor
ayos
aidt
oAdat
eas
ingher

"Adas
awf
inemannopi
mpl
es,
ski
ngl
owi
ngl
ikes
tar
,Adal
ostc
ont
rol
"Ayomi
des
aidl
aughi
ng

"That
'snottt
ttrue!"Adadeniedwhil
estil
ltr
yingtogetcont
roloverherner
ves.
"Idon'
tknow
whatiti
s,butthereissomethingoddabouthi
m! "Adasai
d

"Hmm...
Odd?Babetheonl
yOddt hi
ngorpersonIseehereisyou..
Youaresosuspi
ci
ousofthese
goodpeopl
e.Youdon'
tbel
ievewesti
llhavegoods
amar i
tans,Bibl
estudent
?"Ayomideasked

"Ibeli
eveGodcansendhelpersofdest
inytous,
butIdon'
tfeelthesepeopl
earet
heonesort
his
i
sthet i
meforit
!"Adasai
dt houghitwashards
ayingthos
ewor dsjudgi
ngbythel
uxur
ythat
surr
oundedthem

"Whenwi l
lthet i
mec ome?Ada, Ni
gbawoni asi
konaamade(Ada, whenwi llt
hetimecome) .
AdaeventheBi blet
ellsusthat"
TheSettimetof avourZioni
snow"Wast hatnotwhatthe
Past
orpreachedlasttwoweeks .Hesai
dthes t
oryofs omeofusareabouttochange!I
st hi
snot
i
t?"Morayosaidveryfrust
ratedatAda'
slackofent husi
asm

"Thefac
tt hatadoorsuddenl
yopensbef
oreusdoesnotmeani ti
stheri
ghtdoort
oour
dest
inat
ion.Letusgivethi
sthi
ngsomedaysandpray.Letusbesure,
thi
siswhatGodwant
sfor
us!
"Adas aid

"Iams orr
yI waslooki
ngoutforbothofus,i
fyouarenotinter
es t
ed,for
getit.Idon'
tneedt
o
doublecheckwithGod.Heisnotatalkat
ive.
Theprophecywasr el
easedinchurc
ht woweeks
ago,andthisi
sthemanifes
tati
on."Morayosaidwi
thalls
eriousness.

Ayomi
dewasqui
etatt
hispoi
nt,
ther
ewasnoneedf
oranymor
ewor
ds;
hiss
ist
erhads
poken!
"Whataboutyourdr
eam?"Adapoi
ntedout

"Whatdr
eam?"

"Thes
naket
hats
trangul
atedyou!
"

"Whatabouti
t?"

"Youdon'
tthi
nkt
hati
sGods
ayi
ngs
omet
hing!
"

"No!Thankyou!
"

Adac
oul
dtel
lShewasl
osi
ngt
hebat
tle.

"Areyouc
omi
ng?"Mor
ayos
aidass
hewal
kedoutoft
her
oom.
Ayomi
der
ushedt
owar
dst
he
door.

"No!Gi
vemes
omet
imeal
one!
"Adar
epl
ied

"Fi
ne!
"Mor
ayos
hutt
hedoor
.

"God,
whatamI
doi
ngher
e?"Adaas
kedher
sel
f

"God!Orar
eyous
ayi
ngs
omet
hingel
se?Di
dyoubr
ingmeher
esoI
canal
sot
ravelabr
oad?
"

"Cant
hisbeami
rac
lei
ndi
sgui
se?"
Adakeptonas
kingGods
ever
alques
tions
,ofwhi
chs
hewasnotwai
ti
ngt
ogetanyr
espons
e!

******

AuntGlori
aknewitwasti
met ol
eave.
Shedi
dn'
twantt
oover
stayherwel
come.
Shehads
penta
ful
lday.Shewal
kedoutoftheci
nema.

"AuntGl
ori
a!AuntGl
ori
a!"Ayomi
der
ushedt
owar
dsher
.

"Ayomi
de!Youpeopl
ehavec
ome!Howyous
eet
hispl
ace?"Aunt
yGl
ori
a

"Aunt
yGl
ori
a,ourl
atemot
her
'ss
oulbl
essyouma.
Thankyou!
"Ayomi
des
aid

"ThankGod!Nowt hatyouhaveseentheplac
e,yougofol
lowmegohouse!"AuntyGl
ori
as ai
d.
SheknewAyomi dewasat r
oublemaker,s
hedidn'twantt
ogiveanyc
hancesforhi
mtoaffect
Morayo'
schances.

"Go?orwhatdi
dyousayAuntGl
ori
a?Yous
eet
hispl
acewher
ewear
e,I
mus
tli
vel
argef
orat
leas
t2daysbef
oreIc
omehome."

"2days?Ayomi
deyouc
an'
tst
ayher
efor2days
.Aunt
ypl
eas
etakehi
mawaynow!
"Mor
ayos
aid
ver
yalarmed

"Never
,youar
ecomi
ngwi
thme!
"AuntGl
ori
asai
d

AyomidebegantoarguewithAuntyGlor
iaandt
hei
rvoi
cebegant
ogeti
ntot
hec
inema.
Bay
o
hear
dt hevoi
cesf
irs
t.HetappedLeft
y..
.
"Somet
hingi
shappeni
ngoutt
her
e!"

*****

"I
amnotl
eavi
ngoo!"

Bayowal
kedoutoft
hec
inemaf
oll
owedbyLef
ty.
Lef
ty'
shei
ghtandl
ooks
car
edAyomi
de.

Theystoodst
aringt
ryingt
ofi
gur
eoutwhatwaswr
ong,
butf
romAyomi
de'
spoi
ntofvi
ewt
hey
lookedli
kebouncer
s..
.

******

Adac oul
dhearAyomi de'svoic
ef ai
ntl
y.Shecouldtellt
herewasalr
eadyt r
oubl
einparadi
s e.She
hurri
edlys t
oodupfromherpr ayingposit
ion.Assheranoutoftheroom,shebumpedinto
Wisdomandt heyf
ellagainstt
hewal ll
eavingbothofthemintoverycompromis
ingposit
ion.
Ada'sfacewasverycloset oWisdom'sf
ace.Theylookedli
ketwolovebir
ds.Adastoodt
rans f
ixed
notknowi ngwhy..
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:20pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART20

“
THESHENANI
GANS”

“Iamnotleavingaswell
!”Adamutter
edallthes
trengthi
nhertosaythosewords
.Shewasina
deat
ht r
apands hecoul
dfeeli
tinherbonesandsenses
,butwasshegoingtol
etMorayobe
wastedjus
tlikethat
.

Shec ouldtellMorayowasalreadyi
nthemouthofaLion,andshehadtopullherout.Godhad
givenhert hemandat etobr
ingoutherfr
iendfromthejawofthel
ion.Whathoweverwasa
maj orconcernforherwashows hewastosucceed,
becausesheal
readyhadtwomi ghtyhurdl
es.
Firstl
y,shehadt akenLotwi
thheronthismiss
ion,s
econdlyshewasalr
eadybeingseducedby
themanoft hehous e.
Hers
ens
est
oldhert
orun,
butherl
ovef
orMor
ayot
oldhert
owai
t.

“AuntyGlori
a,l
eavetheyoungonesal
one,ift
heywanttost
aybackforafewdays
,wedon’
t
mindtheextracompany.MywifeandIneedthecompanys
omuc h!
”Wi s
domsaidashemade
eyecont
ac twit
hAda.

WisdomknewhisFavourChar
mhadmadeani
mpr
ess
ionont
hef
iregi
rl
.Onef
eat
herpert
ime,
he
wouldshr
edhereaglefeat
her
.

*****

10pm…

“Sowhat’st
hegamepl annow?westar
tedwitht
wogamesinmindbutnowwecanseethatwe
havetwoextragamesonboardpl
usanattac
hmentt
hatwasnotplanned!
”Os
assai
dwit
ha
str
aightf
ace

“Yep!Ihavebeent hi
nkingalleveni
ng,
weknowwhatwei nit
ial
lywantedf romthet
wogames ,
wewantt hemt ohaves exwitheachotherwitht
hehopeofapr egnanc
y, andoncet
he
pregnancyi sconf
irmed, wepersuadet
hegi r
ltohaveanaborti
on.Thebloodofthei
runion
whichcar r
iestheirstarDNAi swhatwewi l
lbeaucti
oni
ngattheSHENANI GANmarket.
Thatwas
theini
tialplan!”Wisdoms ai
d

“Yes,andwhent het wonewgamesc ameonboar d,Ithoughtwewoul drepli

cat eit,bymaking
Bayof allforAdaaswel l.
Wemot ivatethemintos leepingwithoneanot her,andyouknowt he
restoft hedr i
ll
,butIwass urpris
edwhenI gotbac knowandI wasgoi ngthrought heear l
ier
footages .
Whatwast hatabout ?Youandt hef i
regirlalmostkiss
ing?Ar eyout ryingtooutsmar t
mebys leepingwi t
hher?Shei smygame, shecamet hroughmygame. It
’seitherI getherinful
l
orshar eherwi thyou,butifyout rytooutsmartmebyt aki
ngherf oryourself
, youwi l
lbe
shockedatt heextenttowhic hIwi l
ldealwithyou.”Os asthreatened.
SheknewthegameWi s
domwast ryi
ngt
oplay.Onewayofhunti
nggamesdownwast osl
eep
wit
hthemespeci
all
yiftheyhavebeenuntapped,
thati
s,vi
rgi
ns.
Iti
sthebl
oodfromthefi
rst
i
nterc
ours
ethati
saucti
onedatt heSHENANIGANMARKET, andt
heydon'
tgoforacheappri
ce.

“SHEOsas,
weareint
hisgametoget
her
,whateverIdoisforbot
hofus
.Wat
chouthowt
hiswi
ll
playout
!Trus
tme”Wisdomsai
dtryi
ngt
ocalmOs as
’ ner
ves.

11:
00pm

Adas atwi t
htheres tofthec r
ewi nt
helivi
ngr oom,AyomideandBayohads tarteddis
cussing
dif
ferentmovi estheyhads een,whil
eMor ayoandLef t
ywer ehavingsmalltalksabout
everythingandanyt hing.Adawasalreadyfeelingsl
eepy,butshewaswai ti
ngt oseeOs as
,s o
theyc ouldhavethec onversati
onaboutherintenti
onsforMorayo. Adawantedt hewomant o
faceherandt rytotellherlies,s
hewoulddef i
nitel
ycatchherifshewasal i
ar.

“Ada!
”Adahear
dt hevoi
ceshehadbeenwait
ingtohear.
SheknewwhenOsasarr
ivedear
lier
,
butshehadr
eti
redtoherbedr
oompromisi
ngt or
eturnaft
erhavi
nghers
hower
,butthatshower
ti
mewasoveranhour.

“
Yesma!
”Adar
epl
ied

“
Canweus
ethes
tudy?”Os
asas
kedpol
it
ely

“
Yesma!Mor
ayo!
”Adar
epl
iedands
imul
taneous
lyc
all
edoutf
orMor
ayot
ocomewi
tht
hem

“
No,
letherbe,
shei
snott
heonet
hatneedsc
onvi
nci
ng,
sheal
readyt
rus
tme.
”

“
Okma!
”Adaans
wer
ed
Thewholehousefill
edherwithfearanddr
ead. Asbeauti
fulasthepl
acewas,Adaknewitwasa
tr
apands l
aughterhous
e.Shejusthadthi
sinnerwitnessthatwasn’
tatpeac
ewiththeplace.
Her
mindwentbackt otheawfulodoursheper
ceivedearli
erbeforeMr.Wis
domhadknoc kedat
Morayo’
sdoor.

“
I’
dgiveyouamill
ionNair
atoknowwhatyouar
ethi
nki
ngi
nthatbeaut
if
ulheadofyour
s”Os
as
s
aidbri
ngingAdaoutofhert
houghti
sland.

“
Erm,
sos
orr
yma’
am!
”

“
Pleas
ehaveyours
eat
!”

Adas
atc
omf
ort
abl
yononeoft
hel
eat
hers
ofasi
ntheSt
udy.

“
Canwepr
ay?”Os
ass
aid

TosayAdawasgr eat
lys
urpr
isedwoul
dbeanunder
stat
ementandOs
asi
mmedi
atel
yreadher
bodylanguage.

“
What
’swr
ong?Youar
enotaChr
ist
ian?”Os
asas
ked

“
Iam,
Iwass
hoc
kedyouar
e!”AdaAdmi
tted

“
Wow!Whatdoyous
eeaboutmet
hatmakesyoudoubtmyChr
ist
iani
ty?”

“
Not
hing!I
gues
sIj
ustas
sumedwr
ongl
y!”

“
Igetyou,
yout
houghtbec
aus
eoft
heweal
thI
pos
ses
sIwon’
tneedDi
vini
tyi
nmyhumani
ty?”
“
Somet
hingl
iket
hat
!”Adaadmi
tteds
hyl
y.

“Letmes haremys t
orywi
thyou!”Osassaidqui
ckl
y.Shesawaperf
ectwindowt
oescapethe
prayerrouteshewantedt
otakeinit
ial
ly.Shewantedtos
tartwi
thprayer
sasawayofbuyi
ngher
trust
,butthisrout
ewaseasi
er.

“SomeYear sback,a12yearoldgirlwass entt

owor kasamai dc umas s
istantchefinar ichman’s
hous e.
Shewor kedfor15yearsands uddenly,
thefami l
ygotani nter
nationalbreakthrough, t
hey
leftwiththeirenti
refamil
yleavingherwi thnoonet oturnto.Shehads avedal i
ttlefundf rom
heryear sofwor ki
ngwiththem. Withthatmoney,sher eloc
atedt oAbuja.Shehadhear dfrom
someonet hatAbujawasar i
chlandwher eeveryonec ouldmakemoneywhet hereduc atedor
not .

The27yearol dgir
ltravell
edt oAbujawi t
hnos pecif
icdesti
nat
ioninmind.Toc utthes torys hor
t,
shebec ameapr osti
tuteasameansofs urvival
.Ada,that’
smys t
ory,AdaIwasapr osti
tut efor
eightgoodyear s
.Iwasi npainbutIdidn’tknowhowt ogetoutunti
lImettheLor d. Ada,ac hurch
heldac rusadebesi
det hebrothelwher eIwasl i
vingandthewordsofthepr eacherenter edmy
soul.Ibrokedowni ntearsinthebrothelandI cri
edfor18longhours.It
racedthePas t
or ’
s
chur c
handf romtheret heyconductedmydel i
veranceandledmet oChri
st.Itwasatt hisc hurch
asI grewintheLord,thatIfoundpur pose.

Ipropos edinmyhear ttohelpyounggi rlslikemys elf,whomaynothavet heoppor t

unityof
goingt oschool.Iprayedf oraMi r
acle.Mypr ayerswer eansweredinnotime;t hrought hechurc
h,
Igotc onnectedt oafami l
yabr oadwhoneededamat uredhouse-
keeper.Thehus bandandwi f
e
wer ehighpr ofi
leblackpol i
tic
iansinAmer i
c a,sotheywant edablackhous ekeeper .Is
tayedand
wor kedwi t
ht hemf orthreeyear s.
Itwasmys ervicesthatmadetheirfri
endsas kmet ohelp
thembr i
nggi r
lsfromNi geria.Hous ecleaningj obsabroadisawel l
-payi
ngj ob.Foranys eri
ous
mindedgi rlwhoc anwor kdili
gentlyforfiveyear swillmakealotofmoneyt os t
ar tupherli
fe.

So,Ada,thi
sismys t
orywhi c
hbirthedmypur pose.
WhenI s
eeyounggirl
smakec leanmoney
throughme, I
getful
fil
led.Sofar
,Ihavehelpedtwentyei
ghtgi
rlsgethousekeepi
ngjobsabr
oad
withhighprofi
lef
amili
es .
"Osassaidconvi
ncingl
yasshehadwrappedsomeofhert rut
hswith
li
es.
Adawascompletel
yoverwhel
medbythest
ory,
howeverasemot
ionalass
hewas
,shehada
chec
kinherSpir
itt
ell
inghert
hest
orywasnottr
ue!

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:21pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART21

"
THESHENANI
GANS

“
Youdon’
tlookl
ikewhatyouhavebeent
hrough!
”Adas
aidt
ryi
ngt
ofor
cebei
ngemot
ional
.

“That
’sbecausewhentheFatherchangesyourst
ory,
yourpres
entc
annotbereconc
iledwi
th
yourpast,
althoughIhaves
omes ecretscar
s,bec
ausethoughwear
efor
given,
thescarsmost
timesremain!”Osass
aid

“Real
ly?”t
hatc
aughtAda'
sint
eres
t

“Yeah!Thetrut
hisasar es
ultofmyWaywardli
fe,
Imades
ometer
ribl
echoic
es,whi
ch
tr
anslatest
omenotbei ngabletohaveac
hil
dofmyownandIf
eelverybadformyhus
band,
becauseheisaverygoodman! ”

“GoodManI ndeed!
”Adat
hought“
Themanwhowasaboutt
oki
ssme”Adar
oll
edhereyebal
lsat
thethought
.

“Ihavebeenpr ayingforami r
acl
ebutr ecentl
yIhavebeenthi
nkingaboutsurr
ogacyor
probabalygetaladywhowoul dagreeformyhus bandt
os l
eepwithherandifshegetspr
egnant ,
thechil
dbec omesour s.But ,
thereasonwhyI sai
dmyHus bandisagoodmani sthat
,hehast ol
d
mehec anneverloveanot herwomanexc eptme.Hesai
dhehasnots eenanotherwomant hat
makeshi mlosehiss ens
es! ”Osassaid
“Hei
sdef
ini
tel
yagoodman!
”Adas
aidi
nsar
cas
tic
all
y

Aknoc
katt
hedoori
nter
rupt
edt
hei
rtal
k.

“Yes
!”Os
asans
wer
ed

“Babe,
it’
sme!
”Wi
sdomr
epl
ied

Adaf
eltgui
ltl
ikes
hewasabet
rayer
.Shef
elts
hehadc
heat
edwi
thhi
m.

Wi
sdomwal
kedi
n…

“J
ustt
heper
sonI
want
edt
osee!
”hes
aidr
efer
ringt
oAda

Adal
ostc
ogni
ti
veunder
standi
ng.
Shei
nst
ant
lyl
osthervoi
ceaswel
l.

"Whydoeshewantt
oseeheraf
terwhatt
rans
pir
edbet
weenus
."Adat
houghtwi
theyespoppi
ng
out

“OhReal
ly!What
sup?”Os
asas
kedwi
thkeeni
nter
est

“Therewasanawkwardmomentofunexpec
tedcl
osenes
sbetweenmyselfandheratt
he
entranc
eofoneoftherooms
,soIc
amet oapol
ogi
zetoherf
orbumpingintoher!
”

“Oh!
”Os
ass
aidr
ais
ingherbr
ow
“Di
dhehavetosaythatt
ohi
swi
fe?”Adat
houghtbuts
hequi
ckl
ypour
edoutt
henec
ess
ary
wor
dsoutofhermouth.

“It
’snothing,
Iwasc
omi ngoutther
oomandhewaswal
kingt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom,
sowej
ust
col
lidedintoeac
hother
.”Adasaids
mil
ing

“
Itwasr
eall
yawkward.Funnythi
ngis,
itfel
tlikewehavemeteachotherbef
orei
nthats
econd!
”
Wis
doms ai
dli
keaColl
eges t
udentwhojustfelli
nlovef
ort
hefi
rstti
me.

“Whatwast
hismansayi
ngi
nfr
ontofhi
swi
fe?”Adawant
edt
osc
reamathi
mtokeepqui
etand
wal
koutoft
hedoor.

“OhReal
ly?Li
ket
her
ewass
par
ks”Os
asr
espondedt
owhatt
heybot
hsawasaj
oke.

Adacouldnotbeli
evethedynami
csbetweent
hecouple.
Nowonder,s
hesaidhewasagoodman.
Hewasababyhus bandwhowastell
inghiswi
fehefel
tsomet
hingf
oranotherwoman…Ada
rol
ledhereyebal
lsonc
emor e.

“Yeah!Li
kebi
gspar
ks.
”Wi
sdoms
aidwal
kingoutoft
hes
tudy.

Ther
ewasabr
iefmomentofs
ilenc
eint
hes
tudy…

“
Youar
eat
trac
tedt
omyhus
band?”Os
asas
kedbl
unt
ly

“Noway!J
esusChr
istofNaz
aret
h!Noma.
”Adas
aid

“Ihavenotseenmyhus
bandt
hisexc
itedi
nal
ongwhi
le.
Igues
syouar
ethef
irs
tgi
rlhehasa
sparkwit
h,aft
erme!
”
Adawasnots
ures
hehear
dcor
rec
tly
..
.

“Ma, Ma…Idon’
tevenknowwhattosay?Youseemprett
ycoolf
orawomanwhosehusbandj
ust
tol
dherhel i
kesagir
l.
”Adamanagedtosay.Shewasnotevens
urei
fwhats
hejusts
aidwasthe
appropri
atethi
ngtosay.

“Youdon’tunder
s t
andwhatthi
smeanstome,I
wasjusttel
li
ngyouaboutmychil
dles
s nes
s,and
mel ooki
ngforaladywhomyhus bandc
anbeat
trac
tedto,whohecansleepwi
thtogiveusa
chi
ld,andIthi
nkyouarethepers
on!”

Ti
mes toppedi
nthati
nst
antf
orAda.
Herhear
tcoul
dhaves
toppedandAdawoul
dn'
thave
not
iced.

“Whatwast
hiswomans
ayi
ng?”Ada'
sri
ghtt
hinki
ngmi
ndas
kedi
tsel
f

“Adac anyouhelpme?Youdon’thavetotravelwi
thyourf
riend,
youcanjus
tstaywi
thusfora
yearandafterhavi
ngourbaby,
Iwillpayyouheavi
ly.Wecanevengiveyouthi
shous
e!”Os
as
movedver yclos
etoher.

“Maaaaa…I c
a..
nntdothi
s…Pl
easestopthi
sma.IamaChri
sti
an,
Iamavi
rgi
nandI
int
end
st
ayi
ngt hatwayti
llmyweddi
ngnight!
”Adasai
dinarus
h

“Canmyhus
bandmar
ryyouashi
ssec
ondwi
fet
hen?”Os
ass
aid

“I
amaChr
ist
ian!
”Adar
eemphas
ized…I
tseems
hewasmi
ssi
ngt
hatpoi
nt!

“Iamal
soone,andGodper
mit
tedAbr
ahamt
osl
eepwi
thhi
swi
fe’
smai
dtohaveas
on!
”Os
as
quot
edscr
ipt
ure
“Butt
hatwasnotGod’
sper
fec
twi
ll
!”Adar
epl
ied

“
Mar
ycar
riedJ
esusi
nherwombf
orGod!
”Os
ass
aid

“That
’s.
.
..
that
'sdi
ff
erent
!”Adar
epl
iedt
houghs
hewast
akenabac
katf
irs
t.

“How?Youar
egoingtobedoi
ngsamef
orus,youar
eonl
ycar
ryi
ngmyhus
band’
sbabyi
nyour
wombli
keMarycarr
iedJes
us!
”Os
aspushedf
ur t
her

“TheHolySpir
itdi
dnothavet ohavesexuali
ntercoursewit
hMar y.Li
stenAunt
y,I
fyouaskmet o
beas ur
rogatemotherli
keMar ywhoseBabywaspl ac
edinher,Imighthavepr
ayedaboutit,
becauseIbeli
eveSurr
ogacyisalsoaMedicalsol
utionfromGodwhendonei nt
herightway,but
aski
ngmet os l
eepwithyourhusbandtohaveac hildiswhati
tis;SINandIwil
lhavenothingto
dowithSin.GoodNightma.”

Os
aswant
edt
ost
rangul
ateAdas
omuc
h,howc
anat
eenagerhaves
omuc
hwi
sdom!

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:21pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART22

"THESHENANI
GANS"

“
Wher
eisAdaobi
?”Ada’
smumas
kedherot
herdaught
er.

“
Ithoughts
hewaswi
thyou”Kel
echi
ans
wer
edher
“
Kelechi,
ifshewaswithme,willI
beaski
ngyouwheres
heis?Wait
…orisshenotbackfr
om
whereMor ayowent
?That’
strue,shec
all
edmeonthephonethatt
heygotther
elateand
coul
dn’tretur
nhome.”Ada’
smot herr
emembered.

“
Ok!
”Kel
echi
repl
iednonc
hal
ant
ly

“
Bri
ngmemyphone,
letmet
rac
ethenumbers
hec
all
edmewi
th!
”

Kelec
hirummagedt hroughhermother’
sbagfort
hephone.Shehandedthephoneovert
oheras
shehurri
edl
yl ef
ttheroom.Shedi
dn’twanthermothers
endingheronanyerrandt
hatti
me,she
hadas c
hooltestthenextday…

*****

“Yourpl
anisnotgoingtowork,youshoul
dhavejus
tletusus
etheori
ginalplanwiththef
iregi
rl
.
Shewouldhavejustfall
eninlovewit
hBayoandwet aket
hei
rbaby,
butnoi nsteadyouwanted
tousethevi
rgini
tystrat
egy”Osassai
dpaint
ingi
nanger.

“
Youknowtaki
nghervi
rgi
nit
ywor
thsmuc
h…I
ams
orr
y!”Wi
sdomr
epl
iedf
eel
ingdi
sappoi
nted
i
nhimsel
f.

Thedayhadnotturnedoutthewayhehadplanned.I
twasjustmeanttobeasimplecaseof
c
apturi
ngtwobir
dsi ntoanest,
for
cethemtobelovebi
rdsandoncethefemal
ebirdlaysheregg,
t
heytakei
tandsellitoff
,buthehadgott
engreedywhenthefir
egi
rlcameonboard.

“Sor
rydoes
n’ts
olvet
his
,wes houl
dt hi
nkaboutthenextact
ion,
becausewit
hthewayshe
stor
medoutofthest
udy,I
c antel
lyoushewilll
eaveherefi
rstt
hingi
nt hemor
ningandWho
knowsshemaybeabletotakeMorayowithher!
”Osassaidmadly

Os
as’
phoner
ang,
itwasanunknownnumber
…
“
Hel
lo!
“

“
Hell
oooo,goodeveni
ng,
pleas
emydaught
er,
Adaobi
cal
ledmewi
tht
hisnumber
,Pl
eas
ecanI
s
peakwit
hher .
”Ada’
smums ai
d

“
Oh!Goodeveni
ngma,shehasgonet
obedma,
Iwi
llt
ryt
ochec
konherorbet
ters
til
lshewi
ll
c
allyouf
irs
tthi
ngi
nthemorning”

“
Okma,
thankyouma.
”

Os
asendedt
hec
all
.

“
IthinkIhaveawayofsavi
ngthes
ituat
ion.
HEwi
sdom,
wer
ever
tbac
ktot
heor
igi
nalpl
an.
”
Osassai
dwal ki
ngoutoft
heroom.

******

Adakeptpaci
ngaroundtheroomtheykeptheri
n,s
hec oul
dnotbel
ievewhatshehadjus
theard.
Shetr
iedspeaki
ngtoMorayobutsheseemedtoooccupi
edwit
honeoft hemeninthehouse.
Conf
usionwasatit
speakforAda.

“Godwhati sthis?I
c ameher eforonet hi
ngandI ams uddenl
yf acedwithsomethingelse!God
whoar ethesepeople?Ar etheygenui ne?Shedyourlightonthissituat
ion.I
ams orryforallthe
mistakesIhavemadet hroughoutt oday,butIwantyoutopleas espeaktome.Pleas eGod!IfI
don’
thearf romyou, Iwil
lleavethisplaceveryearl
y,becauseint r
yingtosaveMor ayoplease
don’
tl etmel os
emi ne.”

Adas
atont
hec
ouc
hint
hebedr
oom.
Shewass
osc
aredons
leepi
ngont
hebed.

*******

Adas
awapuppyboughtbyac
oupl
e.Theyf
edt
hepuppys
owel
l,t
hepuppygotal
lthel
oves
he
wanted.Thepuppygr ewi nt
oabi gdog.Thec oupl
egotamal edogtomatewiththedogands he
becamepr egnant.TheCouplepamper edthedogt i
lls
hehadherpuppies.Whenshehadher
puppies
,shewass oexc i
tedtos howthemof ftothecouple.
Shetrus
tedthem.Onenight,
they
separ
atedherf romherpuppi esandbeforesheknewwhatwashappeni ng,oneaft
ertheother,
theysol
dal lherpuppiesmakingmoneyoutofherc hi
ldbeari
ng….

*******

Aknoc
katAda’
sdoorwokeherupf
romt
het
ranc
eshehadf
all
eni
nto.

“
Yes
!Whoi
sther
e?”

“
It
’smeOs
as!
”

Tobec
ont
inued….

[
29/
06,
4:22pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART23

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Leftywasfasci
natedbytheintel
li
genceofthegi
rl
.Thoughshewasyoung,shehadbeen
groomedintomatur i
tybyhardli
fe.I
njustt
hreehour
softal
king,
hefeltl
ikehehadknownher
foryear
s.Theysharedthesamebi r
thdaymonthandtheyal
sohadsomes imil
ari
ti
esi
nthei
rli
kes
anddisl
ikes.

“
Yourboyf
riendi
sal
uckyguy!
”Lef
tyf
oundhi
msel
fsayi
ng

“I
don’thaveaboyfri
end,ifIhaveaboyfri
endatthispointi
nmyl i
fe,won’tyoubeatme?Idon’
t
haveamot her,myfat
herisnotlivi
nghisbestli
fe,
I havesi
bli
ngswhol ookuptome. Havi
nga
boyf
riendwillbest
upidofme!Ther ewil
lbetimefort hati
nthefutur
e. Letmemakes ome
moneyf i
rst
!”Morayosaidlaughingli
keac hi
ld.
“Whatifyoumeetar
ichmantoday,
wholovesyouandi
sreadyt
omar
ryyou,
wil
lyoumar
ry
him?”Leftyas
kedwi
thaver
yintensel
ook.

Mor
ayowasnotexpec
tingthatques
tion,
shewass mi
ttenbythefoot
bal
lernodoubt
,pl
usshe
r
ememberedwhatMrsOs ashadsai
dearli
erabouthi
mbec omingver
yri
chinfewmonths.

“
IfI
lovehim,Iwi
llmar
ryhi
mbutt
hatwoul
dbeaf
tergoi
ngt
otheuni
ver
sit
y.“Mor
ayodec
ided
t
oplayalong

“
Ifal
lthi
ngsgowel
lforme,
pleas
econs
iderme!
”Lef
tys
aidl
aughi
ng

“Hmm…you?Byt hetimeyoubecomef amous,

youwi l
lforgetyouevermetagirll
ikeme,bef
ore
weknow,youwouldhavestar
teddatingAmericanSupermodels.Bef
oreweknow, youwould
marr
yawhi t
egir
l.Pleas
eletmec onc
entrat
eonmyl evel,letmefocusonthehousekeepi
ngjobI
amgoingtodoabroad!”

“Iwouldlovetomarryagir
lfromahumblebackgroundli
kemys el
f,t
hatwaytoget
herwebuil
d
agreatempirefr
omnot hi
ng.Soifyout
akemes er
iousl
y,wec anworksomet
hingout!
”Lef
ty
heardhimselfmaki
ngamar i
talcommit
menttoaladyhej us
tmet .

Mor
ayos
tar
edathi
m.Shes
uddenl
yhadt
heur
get
oKi
sshi
m.

******

Adawass
kept
icalaboutopeni
ngt
hedoor
,buts
hedi
dn’
thaveanopt
ion,
shewasal
readyi
nthei
r
nes
t.

“Adapl
ayal
ong,
til
lyougetoutofher
e,s
otheydonotdos
omet
hingt
err
ibl
etoyou.
!”
Adaquic
klyscatt
eredthebedt
omakei
tlookl
ikes
hehadbeenas
leep.
Shewal
kedt
othedoor
,
openedthedoorcaref
ull
y…

“Ma?”Adas
aidwi
ths
leepyeyes

“YourMumc
all
ed!
”Thatc
aughtAda’
sat
tent
ion.

“Oh!
”

“Woul
dyoul
iket
ospeakwi
thheroryouwi
llc
allheri
nthemor
ning?”

“CanI
speakt
ohernow?”

“Sur
e!”

Osasgaveherthephone.Adawantedhertol
eavether
oom, butOsaswal
kedi
ntotheroom.Ada
di
aledhermother’
snumber .
Thephonekeptr
ingi
ngwithoutanyonepi
cki
ngup.Af
teraboutf
ive
ti
mesoftryi
ng,shegaveup.

“I
gues
sshes
houl
dbeas
leep,
shemus
tbewor
noutf
romt
oday’
ssal
es!
”

“Oh!Yourmumisatr
ader?”Osasas
kedt
ryi
ngt
obui
ldac
onver
sat
iont
hatwi
llhel
pherr
etur
n
thegameplant
othei
nit
ialplan.

“Shefri
esbeancake!
”Adasaidoutr
ightl
y,shedi
dn’
twantanylongconver
sat
ion.
Adas
tret
ched
thephonetoOsaswithalookthatsays
,“Iamdone,yous
houldleave!
”
“Iguessthat
’smycuetot
akemyl
eave.
”Os
ass
aidexpec
tingAdat
odenyi
t,butAdawas
defi
nit
elynotasof
tie.

Os
ass
toodupappr
oac
hingt
hedoor
,butaf
teraboutt
hrees
tepsf
orwar
dshet
urneds
uddenl
y…

“Iams orr
y…I ams orryI sai
dwhatI sai
dt oyou,Iwasjus toverwhelmedi nt hatmoment .Please
don’tletthi
sdiscourageyouf romc onsi
deringthehous ekeepingjob.Itakebac keverythingI
saidaboutyouhel pingwi ththebaby. Iams orryf
ormi xingmyhumani tarians ervi
cewi thmy
personaliss
ue. I
twaswr ongofmet ohaveas kedanunder agegirlli
keyouf orsuchaf avour.My
husbandandI ar
es orry.Justhearingagainaboutyourhumbl ebeginni
ng, Imeanyourmot her
fryi
ngbeanc akeforal ivi
ngbr eaksmyhear t .
Fordis
appoi ntingyou,Iwillcompens ateyouby
placi
ngyoui nar i
chf amilyifyouwantt ogoaheadwi tht hehousekeepingj ob…”Os assaidalot
i
nar ushhopingatleas toneoft het hi
ngsshes ai
dwoul dt ouchas ensi
tivepar tofher .

Adawantedt
otel
lheri
nst
antl
ythatshewantedt
ohavenot
hingt
odowi
tht
hei
rhous
ekeepi
ng
j
ob,buts
heknewshehadtobesmartabouti
t.

“Okma!Nopr
obl
emma,
canI
thi
nkabouti
tandgi
veyoumyr
espons
eint
hemor
ning?”

“OK,butbeawaresomeonewillbec
omingintodothecapturi
ngfort
hePas
spor
tsi
nthe
morning,
soifyouar
ein,yous
houldgetreadyf
orthecapt
uring”

“Capt
uri
ng?”Adaas
kedi
gnor
ant
ly

“Yes,l
ikethepi
ctur
etaki
ngandbi
odat
athatwi
llbeus
edt
ocr
eat
eyourI
nter
nat
ional
pass
por t
!”

“OH!I
thoughtt
hatoughtt
obedoneatt
hei
mmi
grat
ionof
fi
ce!
”Adar
epl
ied

Os
asdi
dn’
tseet
hatc
omi
ng!
“Yes
,youarequi
teknowledgeablef
orat eenager,
theothert
imeyous
pokesowellabout
Surr
ogacy.
..
youseemt oknowabouttravell
ing,whatels
edoyouknowthatI
thi
nkyoudon’t
know?”Osassai
djoki
nglybutitwasac
t uall
yaques t
ion.

Thatques
tionwasl
ikeaf
las
hli
ghtf
orAda.

´
Whatel
sedoyouknowthatIthi
nky
oudon’
tknow?”Thewor
dsr
e-ec
hoedi
tsel
finherear
sa
f
ewti
mesbuttheans
werhither.

Herdr
eam!

Thedr
eamaboutac
oupl
eandt
hepuppy.

“
Aret
heybabymer
chant
s?Di
dtheys
ellbabi
esf
oral
ivi
ng?”Adat
hought

“
Idon’
tknowsomuch,
thef
ewt
hingsI
knowar
ewhatt
heHol
ySpi
ri
thast
aughtme,
plusI
reada
l
ot”Adasai
dqui
ckl
y

“Wow!Goodt oknow,t
hethingisI
havever
yst
rongconnec
t,soI
getVI
Phomec apturi
ng.I
tcos
t
alott
hough.That’
swhatt
heyus ef
orGover
nor
s,Pr
esi
dents,
andver
yhighl
ypl
ac edpeopl
eor
Si
ckpeoplewhoneedstotravel
“

“Oh!
”Adas
aid

“Iguessyoujustlear
nts omethingnew”Os assaidlaughi
ng“ Adayouar esmart,yourtypeshould
beabroad,thereisnothingleftint
hiscountry,Takeupt hejob,andafteryouwor kforaboutfive
years,
yous houldhaves avedupenoughmoneyt os ponsoryourselft
hroughschool,andbesides
withthisl
evelofSmar tness,youmightgetaf ewsc hol
arshi
ps”Os assai
dentic
ingly.
Adadr
ewal
ongbr
eat
hint
ent
ional
ly.

“
Ishoul
dletyouhaveyourr
est
.Goodni
ght
!”Os
ass
aidwal
kingoutoft
her
oom.

ThemomentOsassteppedoutandAdashutthedoorbehi
ndher,
Adaputherhandsoverher
headt
oexpres
sfearoverwhatshehasperc
eivedtobethei
rtr
ueint
ent
ion.

“I
needt
otel
lMor
ayot
hepl
anoft
hiswi
ckedpeopl
e”….

*******

Adadi
dn’tf
indMorayoinherroom,s
heal
soc
hec
kedt
hel
ivi
ngr
oom,
butnoonewast
her
e.She
wenti
ntotheki
tchentoasktheChef.

“Iamnots
ure!”t
hechefrepl
ied.
Adanot
icedt
heChefwasnots
ayi
ngt
het
rut
h,hedef
ini
tel
y
knewwheretheywere.

“Ok…Thanks
!”

Adaper
cei
veds
omet
hingbadwasaboutt
ohappen.
Adawal
kedt
owar
dst
heCi
nema.

“Theyhavet
obet
her
e!”

******

“
What’ssheupto?”Wisdomaskedastheyweres
tari
ngattheCCTVscr
een.Wisdomhad
suc
cessf
ull
yconjur
edthespi
ri
tofseducti
onandsexoverLef
tyandMorayoandi
twasal
ready
worki
ngitwonders.
TheConj
uredSpi
ri
thadpul
ledthemint
othegar
denandift
heyhadf
if
teenmi
nut
esmor
eto
themsel
ves,
thef
irs
tpar
toftheplanwoul
dbedoneanddust
ed.

However
,fr
omt
hel
ookoft
hingsont
heSc
reen,
thef
iregi
rlwasl
ooki
ngf
ort
hem.

“
Whatdowedo?”Wis
doms
aidasOs
aswasnots
ayi
nganyt
hing.
Theyhadt
ost
opt
hef
iregi
rl
f
romget
tingt
othem.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:22pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART24

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Morayoknewwhats
hewasget
tingher
sel
fint
owast
err
ibl
ywr
ong,
buts
hec
oul
dn’
tcont
rolher
body.

Herbodywasallshaky,
shehadas
trongur
get
omat
ewi
tht
hiss
tranger
.Itwass
ost
rongonher
,
shefel
tli
kecr
ying.

Theys
ats
tar
ingateac
hot
heri
nthegar
denwher
etheys
ati
nthenameofl
ooki
ngatt
hes
tar
s.

“I
wantt
oki
ssyou!
”Mor
ayoadmi
tted

“Met
oo,
Badl
y!”Lef
tys
econded

“I
don’
twantt
odoi
t!
”
“Sameher
e!”Lef
tys
aid

“Wej
ustmeteac
hot
hert
oday,
it’
swayt
oof
ast
!”

“Myt
hinki
ngt
oo”Lef
tys
aid

"
Bes
ideswear
eher
efors
omet
hingver
yimpor
tant
,wes
houl
dfoc
usont
hat
!”

“Yes
!”Mor
ayoagr
eed.

“Let
’sgoi
nsi
de,
bei
ngal
oneher
ewi
thyoui
shi
ghl
ytempt
ing.
”Lef
tys
aid.

Left
ystoodupinahurry.
Hest
ret
c hedouthishandt
opul
lMorayoup,butthes exual
atmospherewasnotr
eadytol
etthemgo. Assheros
eup,shest
agger
edt herebyf al
li
ngi
ntohi
s
arms….

******

Adas
teppedint
othec
inemaandc
oinc
ident
all
y,t
heendc
redi
toft
hemovi
etheywer
eseei
ng
wasj
ustrol
li
ng.

“Hi
!”Bayos
aid

“Hi
”Adar
epl
ied

“Youj
ustmi
ssedagoodmovi
e”Bayos
aidt
oAda

“She?Noway!Icant
ellyoushedi
dnotmis
sitonebi
t,Adai
saholySi
ster
,shec
an’
tbec
aught
watchi
ngmovies
.Iamsureshewil
lsayWat
chingmovi
esiss
inf
ul!
”
“Real
ly?”
Bayos
aid

Adar
oll
edhereyesatAyomi
de.

“I
sher
ight
?Bec
aus
eIamabor
nagai
nChr
ist
ianandI
lovewat
chi
ngmovi
es”Bayos
aid

“Pleas
edi
sregar
dwhatAyomi
det
ell
syouaboutme,
hehashi
sownver
sionofwhatI
ami
nhi
s
head”

“Whi
chs
houl
dIdi
sregar
d?Youar
eahol
ygi
rlorWat
chi
ngmovi
esi
sas
in”

“Well
,Iamaholygir
landIamproudofit,butdis
regardwhathes ai
daboutmovi
esbei
ngsinf
ul
towatch,
Iamnotadiehar
df i
lmwatcher,Iamver yselec
tivewhenIwanttowat
chanyfi
lm.I
don’
twanttowatc
hwhatwi l
lbeaproblemf ormysoul…”Adas ai
d

Bayowasi
mmedi
atel
ysmi
ttenbyt
heyounggi
rl
;Hi
sKi
ndofgi
rl
.

******

“I
loveyou!
”

“I
loveyout
oo!
”

Lef
tyandMorayoknewt heywereunderas
trongi
nfl
uenc
e,andastheyconti
nuedi
ntheac
tof
car
essi
ngeac
hot her
’sbody,eac
hpersonwashavi
ngawarwithi
nthemselves
…

“Ist
hisl
ove?Ist
hiswhatLoveatfi
rsts
ightfeel
slike?Morayoyouneedtostopt
hisnow! ”
Morayowassayi
ngtohersel
fasallt
hemes sagesandchargesshehashear
dons exualpuri
ty
andNosexbefor
emar r
iagebegantoplaybackinherhead.
“Lef
ty,Di
sci
pli
ne!Stopthis
!Youhavetheabi
li
tyt
ostopt
his
,eveni
fyouwantt
omar
ryher
,
don’
tleti
tbethisway!”Lef
tywasbatt
li
ngwithhi
sowndesi
res
…

*******

“Cant
hes
eonesgetdownt
owhatt
heyhavet
odo!
”Wi
sdoms
aidf
eel
ingver
yexas
per
ated

Osass
til
lhas
n’ts
aidanyt
hing.Shewasj
ustobservi
ngever
ymove.
Shec
oul
dseet
hatBayoand
Ayomi
dehavebeenabletokeepAdaintheCinema.

Thats
houl
dbuyt
hemmor
eti
me.

*******

“Youwat chedthattoo?I can’tbel

ievealadyint hi
sdayandagewoul dwat chsuchmovies.Il
ike
youalready.Mostgirl
sI comeac rossareloyalfansofRomanticcomedies,Tel
enovel
as,
s oap
operas,butyoulovehistoric
almovi es
.That’simpressi
ve”Bayosaidexc
itedlyashadment i
oned
allhi
sfavourit
ehistor
icalmovi es.
..

“Wel
ear
nfr
omhi
stor
ysot
hatbadhi
stor
ydoes
n’tr
epeati
tsel
f!
”Adas
aid

“Wow!Whos
aidt
hat
?”

“What
?”

“Thequot
eyouj
ustr
efer
enc
ed.
”

“WhatQuot
ear
eyout
alki
ngabout
?Ihavenotus
edanyquot
esi
nceI
gother
e”
“Thequot
eaboutLear
ningf
romHi
stor
ysot
hatbadhi
stor
ydoes
n’tr
epeati
tsel
f”

“Oht
hat
!,t
hatwasj
ustme.
”

“Youdon’
tsay.
”

“GetupNow!
”Adahear
dthevoi
ceLoudandc
lear
.Itwast
hevoi
ceoft
heHol
ySpi
ri
t.

“I
havet
oleave!
”Adas
aid

“Noway!Wes
houl
dseeamovi
etoget
her
!”Bayos
aidhol
dingherdown

“Never
!”Ayomides
aidmoc ki
ngly“Hol
yAdawi
llwat
chmovi
ewi
thmenatt
hisUnhol
yHour
,
thatwi
llbever
yunholyofher.
”

“
Ayomi
de,
canyous
topi
t.Youmakemel
ookl
ikeanant
i-s
oci
alper
son.
”

“
Areyounot
?”Bayoc
hal
lengedpl
ayf
ull
y

“
No,
Iamnot
.Ic
hoos
emys
oci
alpr
efer
enc
es”Adas
aidass
hec
ont
inuedt
owar
dst
hedoor

“
Areyoual
sol
eavi
ngi
nthemor
ning?”Bayoas
kedwhenhes
aws
hewasdet
ermi
nedt
oleave

“
Yes
!”Adar
epl
ied

“
Youandwho?Maybej
ustyou,
bec
aus
eIamher
eforanot
hert
wodays
.”Ayomi
des
aid
“
Pleas
eyour
sel
f.Iamleavi
ngver
yearl
ytomor
row.Iwouldn’
twantmyBos
schas
ingmeaway
f
romtheSal
on.Sheonlygavemeper
missi
onf
ortoday.
”

Bayos
awt
hatt
heywer
eal
ike,
heal
sohadt
oret
urnt
owor
kthenextday.

“Wecanl
eavet
oget
heri
nthemor
ning.
”Bayos
aidhopi
ngt
ohavemor
econver
sat
ionwi
tht
he
Lady…

“
NoPr
obl
em!
”Adas
aidabs
ent
mindedl
yashermai
nfoc
uswasf
indi
ngMor
ayo…

******

“
Shei
sout
!”Wi
sdoms
aidi
nfr
ust
rat
ion

Os
aswi
thouts
ayi
nganyt
hingr
ushedoutoft
her
oom.

Wisdomwat c
hedMorayoandLef
tyonthescr
een,andjudgi
ngbyhowint
imatet
heyhavegone,
soonthepenetr
ati
onwouldt
akeplac
e,theyj
ustneededaboutf
ivemi
nutesmor
e.

*******

Adahadfi
nal
lywalkedoutoft
hec
inema,
ther
ewer
eal
otofdoor
sint
hehous
e.Shedi
dn’
tknow
wheret
oturnto.

“
God,
Pleas
ewher
eisMor
ayo?”

“
Thegar
den!
”Shehear
dcl
ear
ly.
Shedoubt
edi
t.

“Whatwoul
dshebedoi
ngi
nthegar
denatt
hist
ime?Letmec
hec
kthel
ivi
ngr
oomagai
n.”

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:23pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART25

"THESHENANI
GANS

Adagotintot
hel i
vingroomands hesawthel
astper
sonshewant
edtosee.Os
aswasina
kneel
ingposi
tionprayi
ngferventl
y.ThemomentAdast
eppedi
n,Osast
urnedtoher
.Adawas
aboutret
reat
ing,whenOs asspoke…

“Unabl
etos
leepl
ikeme?”Os
ass
aid

“I
am….
”Adawass
ayi
ngbutOs
asc
uti
nqui
ckl
y

“Ones
hal
lchas
eat
hous
and,
twos
hal
lchas
etent
hous
and,
pleas
ejoi
nme.
“Os
ass
aid

“Iam.
.
Iam.
.”Adadi
dn’tknowhowtoesc
apef
romt
hat
.Pr
ayerwasnotat
hings
hec
oul
drun
awayf
rom,
butitwasatthewrongt
ime.

“CanIqui
ckl
ychec
konMor
ayo,
shei
snoti
nherr
oomandi
nthec
inema.
Iamwonder
ingwher
e
shei
s”

“
Mor
ayo?Shei
sint
hegar
denwi
thLef
ty.
Ibel
ievet
heyar
egi
sti
ng.
”Os
ass
aidl
ight
ly

“
Att
hist
ime?”
“Peopl
ehavedif
fer
entpri
orit
ies”Os assai
d“Wil
lyoujoi
nmet oprayforj
ustf
ivemi
nutes,
Maybe
Godwouldhearmysuppl
icati
oni fyourvoic
eisadded.Whoknows,Imaybeyourmir
acle,
Ihave
heards
omepeoplehadtheirbabiesevenaftert
hedoc t
orswrot
ethemof f
”

Osassawherphonebeep,
itwasames
sagef
romWi
sdom,
shec
hec
kedi
tass
hekeptt
alki
ng…I
t
read

“
Keepherf
orf
ewmi
nut
esmor
e”

“Buti
fIwoul
dbebot
her
ingyou,
nevermi
nd.
“Os
ass
aidbr
eaki
ngdowni
ntear
s.

Atthatpoi
nt,
AdaknewsheshouldhaveobeyedtheHolySpi
ri
tbygoi
ngtothegar
den,
as
l
eavingthewomanatt
hatpointwil
lmakeherlookwickedandins
ens
iti
ve.

“
Ashor
tpr
ayerwoul
dn’
thur
t!”Adar
esol
ved.

Adamovedc
los
ert
oOs
as.

Sheknel
twi
thherandbegant
opr
ay…

“Fat
her
!Wet
hankyou…Wegi
veyoual
lthepr
ais
e…”

*******

Wis
domwatc
hedwi
ths
ati
sfac
tiononhi
sfac
e,howt
hegameshadf
inal
lyf
all
eni
ntot
het
raps
et
f
orthem.
Hes
entat
extt
oOs
asi
mmedi
atel
y.

“
Stage1done!
”

*****

Os
asgott
hemes
sage.
Sheheavedas
ighofr
eli
ef.

“
Final
ly!
”Os
asmut
ter
ed

Shewat
chedhowAdapray
eddeepl
y.I
twast
imet
otwi
stt
hegameal
it
tlebi
t.Shewant
edt
o
messwi
ththei
rheads
.

“Ada,
I haveafeel
ingwes houl
dgointot
hegarden,
seemsyourhearti
swit
hyourf
riend.
Idon’
t
wanttobes el
fi
sh.Ibel
ieveonceyous
eeher
,yourmindwil
lbesettl
edenought
opraywithme.”

Adacouldn’
tagreel
ess
.Shehadbeens t
ruggl
ingintheprayer
, s
hewasnotconnec
tingt
othe
Spi
ri
tualworld,
anditf
eltl
ikealoadwasoverherheadpressi
ngherprai
sedown.Ada
i
mmedi atel
yjumpedontheoff
er.Sher
oseupt oherfeetandfoll
owedOsas
.

*******

MorayoandLef
tyl
aidhal
fnakedont
hegr
oundi
nthegar
den.
Mor
ayowasi
nPai
n,s
hoc
kand
conf
usion.

“WhathaveIdone?HaveIlostmyvir
gini
ty?Won’
tIgetpregnant
?”Amill
ionthi
ngswere
runni
ngthr
oughhermind.TheUrgencytohaves
exhadfiz
z l
edaway.I
tfel
tliket
hepres
ence
urgi
ngherdi
sappear
edlikethewind.

Left
ycoul
dn’
tunder
standwhathadj
usthappened.
Hewasnotal
oos
emanwhos
leptwi
th
anythi
ngi
nski
rt.

I
nfac
t,hec
oul
dcountt
henumber
sofgi
rl
shehadl
aidal
lhi
sli
fet
ime;J
ustt
hree.
"Coul
dthi
sbel
ove?"Heas
kedhi
msel
f.

“OhMyGoodnes
s!Mor
ayooooo”avoi
ces
hout
ed.
.
.

******

Adawaswalki
ngbehindOsassoshecoul
dn’
ttellwhatOsasmusthaves
eenthatcaus
edthat
muchscr
eam.Morayorushedf
orwardandtheimagethatmethereyeswasnotsomethi
ngthat
shewoul
dhaveimagi
nedi namil
li
onyearscoul
dhappen.

Lef
tyhadhi
spant
sdown,
Mor
ayot
oo!

Adastoodtransf
ixedass
hesaws omethingthatlookedmilkflowi
ngdownMor ayo’
slaps.
Morayowasnakedf romherwais
tdown. Ons eei
ngt hatt
heyhadbeenc aught,theyrushedt
o
pic
kupt hei
rclot
hesandastheyhurri
edlycoveredtheirnakednes
s,Adac oul
dnothel pbutsee
thepi
ctureofwhathappenedinthegardenofEden.

Mor
ayohadeat
ent
hef
orbi
ddenf
rui
tint
hegar
den.

Byt
hatt
ime,
Ayomi
de,
Bayo,
Wis
dom,
theChefandMaxwel
lhadr
ushedt
othegar
den.

“Whatr
ubbis
h?Inmyhouse…Ohmygoodness
,Ic
an’
tbel
ievewhatal
oos
egi
rlyouar
e.Yuc
k!
“Os
assaidl
ooki
ngdi
sgust
edassher
anins
ide.

Adaf
oundher
sel
font
hef
loors
itt
ingandl
ooki
ngl
ost
.

Shehadfai
ledGod!Godhads
entheronanas
signmenther
eands
hehadt
akenaLotwhomade
thet
askunachi
evable.
Thedevi
linAyomi
der
oseupasher
ushedt
owar
dsLef
ty!

“Your
apedmys
ist
er!
”

“I
didn’
t…”Lef
tyt
rieddef
endi
nghi
msel
f

Bayoc
ouldn’
thavebel
ievedi
fhewas
n’tt
her
etowi
tnes
sit
.IfLef
tywasanyt
hing,
hewasnota
womaniz
er…

“Samuel
,Whathappened?Whydi
dyoul
ett
hegi
rls
educ
eyou?”Bayos
aid

“Sor
ry,
whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?Mys
ist
eri
snotas
educ
tres
s!”Ayodef
endedhi
ssi
ster

Ontheotherhand,
Wisdomdidn’
tsayawor
d,hekeptwat
chi
nghowt
hedr
amawasunf
oldi
ng.
Osaswasdoingagoodjob.

Mor
ayowasbl
ank!

“I
knowmyf
riendwel
l,hei
snotal
oos
eman!
”

“AndI
knowmys
ist
erwel
l”

Thenewmovi
efr
iendss
uddenl
ytur
nedagai
nsteac
hot
her
.

Os
ass
uddenl
yshowedupi
nthegar
denagai
n.

“Honey,
thes
etwocan’
tbet
rust
ed.I
can’
twast
emyef for
tsonagirlwhowi
llt
ravelabr
oadand
seduc
ethemanoft
hefamil
y.Li
kewi
se,
thi
sguy,youbett
erdon’
tlethi
mdentyourimagebef
ore
Coac
hFranc
is.
Iwills
endamess
agetot
heimmigrat
ionguynottobothercomingt
hismor
ning.
Andasf
oryou,l
eavemyhous
ebefor
eIwakeup”Osassai
d.Shegaveherlastl
inet
oMorayo.

Adawasc onfused!Shet
houghtt
hewomandesper
atel
ywant
edMor
ayoandHert
ost
aybac
kat
thehous
e, buthereshewaschas
ingt
hemaway.

Coul
dthi
sdi
sas
terbeawayofGodmaki
ngt
hemes
capet
hei
revi
lpl
an?

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:24pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART26

"THESHENANI
GANS"

‘Idon’tknowwhathappened!Hedidn’
trapeme.Iamsur
eofthat.I
don’
tknowifitwaslove!”
Mor ayokepts
ayi
ngasAyomi deandAdas atwi
thheri
nthebedroomthathadbeenall
oc at
edto
her.

Ayomidehadbeenr
ant
ing,
sayi
nghowdi
sappoi
ntedhewasi
nMor
ayo.
AllAdadi
dwast
ost
are
ather
.

“Ada,Ic
an’
tgobackhome. It
’sei
therItr
avelorIki
llmysel
f.I
tseemsshel
ikesyou,
youhavet
o
begheronmybehalf
. I
willpromisehernottodoitagai
n.Iwon’
tmindsweari
nganoath”
.
Morayosai
ddes
perately

“Youst
illwanttocont
inuewi
tht
hist
ravel
li
ngpl
anaf
terwhatj
usthappened?“Adaf
oundher
voi
ceeventual
ly.

“Yes
,it
’sei
therI
travelorI
die.
Ada,
Ican’
tlos
eont
woends
,Ihavel
ostmyvi
rgi
nit
y,andI
wil
l
l
osemyt
ravel
li
ng.
Noway!AdaI
can’
tret
urnt
othehar
dli
fe”

“Morayo,
takeaLis
tentowhatyoujustsai
d.Morayo!onedayint
hisnewj
ourneymadeyoul
ose
yourvi
rgi
nit
y,don’
tyouknowifyoukeepjour
neyingonthi
sroad,
youmaylos
eyourli
fe!
”

“Ada,youwi
llbet
heonetoloseyourli
fe!
”Morayof
iredbac
k. Adac
oul
dsees
hewasnother
sel
f
anymoreandsher
ecogni
zedthefact
.Adadeci
dedtoplayalong.

“I
ams
orr
y,al
lIdoi
sforyourwel
lbei
ng.
”

“I
amf
ine,
Icant
akec
areofmys
elf
!”

“I
know!
”

“Youknowwhat,youbot
hshoul
dleavei
nthemor
ning,
Iwi
lls
ortmys
elfout
.Iamnotl
eavi
ng
here!
”Morayos
aid

Sher
est
edherbac
kont
hebedands
huthereyes
.

Ada’
smindwascloudedwi
thalotoft
houghtsbutt
heoneont
hef
irs
tbur
nerwast
hef
actt
hat
Morayowasnots
oberaboutl
osi
nghervir
gini
ty.

“Ada,I
thi
nkI wi
llbel
eavi
ngi
nthemorningwhenyouar
e"Ayomi
des
aidashewal
kedoutoft
he
room t
oar oomhehadbeenshownear
li
er.

Adac
hec
kedt
het
ime,
itwashal
fpas
t2amands
leepwasf
arawayf
romher
.

“God!Whats
houl
dIdo?”
*******

“
Lef
ty,
expl
ain!
”Wi
sdoms
aid

Bayo,
lef
tyandWi
sdoms
ati
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom…

“Iknowyouaredi
sappoi
ntedi
nme,butI
canas
sur
eyouI
don’
tknowwhatc
ameoverme.
Pleas
e
don’
tlett
hisaf
fec
twhatyouwantt
odoforme.
”

Bayos
til
lcoul
dn’
twr
aphi
smi
ndar
oundwhathadj
usthappened.

“Ic
an’tgi
veyoumywordonthat
,Mywi f
eisver
yimpor
tantt
ome.
Ifs
hes
aysI
shoul
dnothel
p
you,I
ams orr
y,I
mighthavet
owithdr
aw.”

“
Ha!I
amf
ini
shed!
”

“Butlet
’ss
eewhathappensint
hemorning.Ibel
ievebythattimeshewouldbel
esshurt.
The
thi
ngismywifei
sveryhighonl
adi
eskeepingtheirpur
itysexual
ly,
soseei
ngthi
sdefi
lementi
n
herownhousebr
okeher.”

*****

“Cheer
s!”Wi
sdomc
lankedhi
sgl
asswi
thOs
as’

“Nowwewai
tfort
hepr
egnanc
ynews
”

“
Yeah!Andwec
ashout
!”

******
“Pl
eas
esi
r,pl
eas
e…I
begyou…Ha!Bayopl
eas
ehel
pmebeghi
m!”Lef
tyweptl
ikeababy

Wis
domhadshowedupint
hemorningt
ell
ingt
hemt
her
ewasnot
hinghec
oul
ddo.
Hiswi
fehad
t
oldhi
mtochoosebet
weenLef
tyandHer.

“I
amSor
ry.
“Wi
sdoms
aid

******

OsashadknockedatMor
ayo’
sdoor.Morayoj
umpedupfr
omthebedandr
ushedt
othedoor
.Ada
wassti
llt
ryi
nggetthesl
eepoffhereyes
.Osasknews
hewasi
nthere.

“IcametospeakwithAda!
”Os
ass
aidt
urni
ngherf
acef
romMor
ayo.
Shel
ookedl
ikes
hec
oul
dn’
t
st
areherinthefac
e.

“I
am.
.ams
orr
yaboutl
astni
ghtma.
.Ipr
omi
seyoui
t…”Mor
ayowass
ayi
ngbutOs
asc
uti
n..
.

“CanI
speakwi
thAdaornot
?”Os
asas
kedf
irml
y

Adawasatt
hedooral
ready.

“HiAda,I
ams orryIwon’tbeabl
etohel
pyourfri
endanymore,
I t
oldyoumyr eas
onf ordoing
whatIdo.Iwantyounggirl
stohaveagoodli
fewit
houtsel
li
ngtheirbodi
es,buti
tisobviousyour
fr
iendi
saloosegirl
,becausesl
eepi
ngwithamans hej
ustmetisterr
ibl
e.”

******

3WeeksLat
er
Morayowasrunni
nglikesomeonewhohadbeenhi tbytsunami.Sher
anmadlyl
ikesomeone
esc
apinganeart
hquake.Thegroundsofherli
fewascavi
ngin.Shewasrunni
ngt
ot heonl
y
pers
onwhoc oul
dhelpherinthissi
tuat
ion.

“Ada,whatiswrongwit
hyourfri
end?Whyissher
unni
nglikes omeonet
hatisbei
ngpur
suedby
dogs”Sandr
a,Ada’sc
oll
eagueatthesal
ons
aidcal
li
ngherattenti
ontoMorayo…

Adar
oseupf
romwher
eshel
aiddown.

Sher
ushedoutoft
heSal
ont
omeetupwi
thher
.

“Mor
ayo!

I
amf
ini
shed!I
ampr
egnant
.”

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

*PRAYERPOI
NT:
*

***OhLord,helpmenott of ul
fi
ltheexpect
ationsofmyenemies,t
heerr
orstheywantmeto
commit,Ir
efusetocommi titinJesusname.Ir
efusetodancetot
hetuneoft
heenemy. Hel
pme
todanceagains
ttheirbeatsinJesusName.Whent heyexpectmetogol
efti
not hert
omissi
tin
li
fe,Godsteermetot heri
ghtbyyourmer cyinJesusName.AMEN!

[
29/
06,
4:25pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART27

"THESHENANI
GAN"

Adawasvisi
blys
haki
ng,shewasnotthepr
egnantonebuttheimpl
icat
ionoft
hepregnancyon
Morayo’
sli
fewaswhatpi
ercedherhear
t.Mor
ayocouldnothaveanaborti
onbec
ausethatwas
agai
nstGod’
swil
l.
“
Whatdowedo?”Mor
ayos
aidass
hewasbi
ti
nghernai
lsabs
ent
mindedl
y

“
Wehavet
olethi
mKnow!
”Adar
epl
ied

“
How?I
don’
thavehi
snumberorhi
shous
eaddr
ess
”

“
Wewi
llgethi
mthr
oughMr
s.Os
as.
”

“
Mrs
.Os
aswhohasnotbeenpi
cki
ngmyc
all
s”

“
Youhavebeencal
li
ngherbehi
ndme?”Adawasshoc
kedMorayowass
til
ltr
yingt
oreac
hthe
womanaft
ershepushedt
hemoutofherhomethr
eeweeksback.

“
Iwasst
illt
ryi
ngmyl
uck.
Ayomi
dehasmadel
if
eter
ribl
eformei
nthepas
tthr
eeweeks
.Ada!
Whatwi
llIdo?”

“
Wewi
llr
eac
houtt
oMr
s.Os
as,
shei
souronl
yli
nkt
oLef
ty.
”

“
How?LikeIsai
dshedoes
n’tpic
kmyc al
l,It
riedusi
ngmynei
ghbor
’snumbert
ocal
lonc
e,t
he
momentsheheardmyvoi
ce,shehungup!”Morayosai
d

“
Shewil
lpi
ckmymot her’
sli
ne,
shewi
llt
hinkI
amr
econs
ider
ingt
hehous
ekeepi
ngj
ob”Adas
aid
wit
hsomuchconf
idence.

Osashadoffer
edtosti
llgoonwit
hthehousekeepi
ngj
obf
orAdai
fshewasi
nter
est
ed.
She
coul
dn’ts
tandthesi
ghtofMorayoasi
twere.
“
Ok!
”

“Letusmeetafterworkatmum’sspot.
”Adasai
dtoMorayo.
Sheknewthebestt
imetogether
mot her
’sphonewithoutanydi
stur
bancewaswhenhermotherwasbus
ywithherbus
ines
sat
night.

******

Osaswasinherhous e,
getti
ngreadyforanightout.
Shewasgoingtoscavengeforamanwho
shecouldst
ealsomes tar
sfrom.Thepastthreeweekshadbeenful
lofanxiet
yforher.Shewas
alwaysver
yc l
osetoherphonewai t
ingtohearthegoodnewsthatMorayowaspr egnant,
but
shehadheardnothing.

Wisdomontheotherhandhadtr
avell
edtothenort
her nsi
deoft
hec ount
ry,hewentt
o
sc
avengeforyoungnort
herngi
rl
s.Helovedtousethevir
gini
tys
trat
egyal ot
.Hetr
adedwi
th
t
hes tar
swit
hdrawnfromthevi
rgini
tyofyounggi
rl
s .

Osashadt ri
eds cavengingyoungboysaswel l,butitwass ounfortunat etofindoutt hatmos tof
theyoungboyswer enolongervir
gins.Andtheoneswhower evirginshadl ostalotoft heir
vir
tuestodemonst hroughmas turbati
onandpor nography.Osasdec i
dedt oscavengeChr i
sti
an
Marriedmeni nstead,becauseshedi sc
overedmos tChris
tianmar riedmenwhomar riedas
vir
ginshadal otofvi r
tuestotapfrom, shewentforthem.Knowi ngAdul t
eryisas i
nt hatmakes
theChris
tianMar riedmenl osetheirdivi
necoverage,sheluresthemi ntosex,ret
rievest hei
r
vir
tuesands ell
sitatt heShenaniganmar ket
.

TheShenani
ganfai
rwascomingups oon,
andshehadqui
tealotofst
arst
osel
l,buts
heknew
hershar
eofMorayoandLef
ty’sbabywouldbetheki
ngofhersal
es.

Herphoner
angandt
hemoments
hes
awt
heCal
lerI
D,s
hes
mil
edi
nvi
ctor
y…

“
ADA’
sMOTHER”
.
Shehadbeenexpecti
ngthi
scal
l.I
twasei
thert
wot
hings
;Mor
ayowaspr
egnantorAdawas
cons
ider
ingTr
avell
ing.

“
Hel
lo!
”

“
Hel
loma,
Goodeveni
ngma!
”

“
Goodeveni
ng,
pleas
ewhoi
sthi
s?”

“
It
’smeAda,
Mor
ayo’
sFr
iend”

“
Ada?Mor
ayo’
sfr
iend…OH!Howar
eyou?“

“
Nott
ooFi
nema,
ther
eisabi
gpr
obl
em?”

“
Whati
sitdar
li
ng?”

“
Ma,
weneedLef
ty’
sphonenumber
,theboymyf
riends
leptwi
th.
”

“Ok?Why?Shes
til
lwant
stodat
ehi
m?”Os
ass
aidf
eigni
ngi
gnor
anc
e

“
Noma,
shei
s…”Shamewoul
dn’
tletAdac
ompl
etehers
tat
ement
.

“
Sheis…Sheiswhat?Ohmygoodnes s,
yourf
riendi
spr
egnant
!OhmyGoodness,
canyous
ee
t
hatyourf
riendhasdes
troyedherl
if
e…Sowhatdoyouneedhisnumberf
or?”

“
Wewantt
otel
lhi
m,s
owec
anknowwhatt
odo.
”
“
Tel
lhimovert
hephone?Soi
mmatur
eofyou.Hewi
llabscond…Ohmygoodness
,Youknow
What
?youbothshoul
dcometomyhous
einthemorning.
I wil
lhavehi
mcomeover
.”

“
Okma,
thankyous
omuc
hma.
”

Os
asdr
oppedt
hec
all
.

“
Wedi
dit
!”s
hes
aids
creami
ng.

“
Iwi
llbes
ell
ingt
hisbabyf
or2bi
ll
ion”Os
ass
creamedoutl
oud.

“
Wis
dom!I
needt
oreac
hhi
mnowwww!
"

Tobec
ont
inued

[
29/
06,
4:26pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART28

"THESHENANI
GANS

“Hel
loWis
dom!Wehaveourbaby!Getyour sel
ftothepr
ojecthous
ef i
rstthi
nginthemorni
ng.
Takethef
irs
tfl
ightdownher
e,Iwil
lgetthereasearl
yas6amandc overforyou.I
willt
ellt
hem
youwentforabusi
nessmeet
inginAbuja.Saythesametotheguystoo.”

“
Ican’
tbel
ievewedi
dit
.”Wi
sdoms
aid.

“
Yes,wedi
d,thisi
samaj
ors
alef
oryouunl
iket
hef
ewmi
ll
ionsyoumakef
romt
hos
evi
rgi
nit
y
s
ales
”Osassaid
“Yeah!IthoughtI wasthebos softhi
sthingbecaus eofmyfrequencyofsel
li
ngt hevirgi
niti
es ,
butSHEOs as,Ithi
nkI l
ikethisnewroute.I
nsteadof20vi r
gini
ti
esinamont hthatwillgiveme
about100mi l
li
on,whynotdot hebabybus i
nessthatwillgi
vetwotimesofthat.Igavethei dea
ofmer gi
ngf orcestogether
, butIdi
dn’
tknowi twillyi
eldresul
tsthi
sfast
.”Wisdoms aidexcitedly

“200mil
li
onorwhatdi dyousay,
thebabyf
romthetwos t
arsworthnothi
ngles
sthan2bi
ll
ion.
Remember,it
’st
hef i
rstf
rui
tfrombothoft
hem.Thefi
rstalwayscarr
iess
pec
ialst
ars
.Sowe
aucti
oni
tfor2Bill
ionandwes pi
ltt
hemoneyint
otwoequalpar t
s.”

“
Twoequalpar
ts,
itc
an’
tbeequal
,mygamepr
oduc
edt
hes
eed”Wi
sdoms
aidgr
eedi
ly

“Andmygamer
ecei
vedi
tandnur
tur
edi
tint
obec
omi
ngapr
egnanc
y.”Os
ass
aidr
ais
ingher
voic
e

“
ButI
cameupwi
tht
heI
deaofc
oll
abor
ati
on”Wi
sdomdr
ovehi
spoi
ntf
urt
her

“HEWi s
dom,YouknowhowmuchI
res
pec
tyouowi
ngt
othef
actt
hatI
metyoui
nthi
sbus
ines
s,
pleas
elet’
skeepi
tthatway.
“

Osasendedthec
allabr
upt
ly.
HEWi
sdomwasac
oll
ageofmanyt
hings
,bot
hpos
iti
vel
yand
negat
ivel
y.

Os
ass
entat
extt
owr
apupt
hei
rconver
sat
ion.

“
Pleas
eremembertocal
ltheguystocomeoverfort
hemeet i
ngtomorrowmorni
ng,and
r
ememberthegoali
sforthemtoagreetoabor
tthepregnanc
y.Letal
lourt
heatr
icsl
eadtot
hat
.
“

*****
HEWi
sdomhel
dhi
sphonei
ndi
sbel
ief
,

“Di
dthatnewbiej
usthanguponme”Wi s domcoul
dnotbelieveOsashunguponhi m.Hewasnot
hermateasaShenaniganagent.Hewaswayaheadofher .
Shejustj
oinedthebus i
ness/agency
twoyearsbac
k,butshequic
klyroseupinfamebecauseofoneofhermajorhits
. Shehads old
thest
arofaprominentChri
sti
anauthor;MikeCel
lo.ThatmadeherpopularattheShenani gan
Fai
r.

Wisdomcountedhi
sownyearofs er
vice.
HehadbeenaShenaniganagentf
or8years.
Hehad
cometoLagosasanapprent
ice.
Oneofhi sdi
stantcousi
nwhowasintos
ell
ingofVehi
cles
par
e
part
shadcomet ot
hevil
lagetopickhimup.Hehadbeens oexc
itedbyt
hemove,butwhathe
metintheci
tywasnothi
ngclosetohisexpec
tations.

Froms trenouswor k,badheal th,tohunger,hestarteds uff

eringthemomenther esumedwor k
withhisbos s.
Af tert hreeyearsofs l
avery,
het ol
dhi ms elfhewasdone. Hestartedlookingf or
meansofmaki ngmoneyt heeasyway. I
twasdur inghi squestthathehadvisitedaher bali
stwho
toldhimaboutt heShenani ganFair.Hetol
dhi mhec ouldsellsomeofhisstarsinexchangef or
moneyorbet ters t
illsellthestarsofother
s. Ki
ndlyhi kwakui shon+233544142683t or eadmor e
intr
iguingandexc i
t i
ngs tori
esf r
om, unl
imitedstoryplat f
orm, f
reshst
orieski
ngdom , hous eof
storyroom.

Wis
domr ememberedgoingtothefai
rwithsomuchtrepi
dati
onhopingt oseescaryt
hingsbut
hewasmetbyar udeshockofseei
ng,beaut
if
ulfac
es,Hands
omeandc leanguys,Weal
thy
Pol
it
ici
ans ,
Somenot abl
eClergymenbothMus l
imsandChri
sti
ans,
Tr aditi
onal
ist
swerenotlef
t
out
.Hes awCelebri
ti
esaswell.

Wi s
domr ememberedhowhehadbeens hownaround.
Itwasabigf
air,withdi
ff
erentt
rader
s.
Theherbali
stt
ookhimfromt abl
etotabl
e.Ther
ewerebuyersands
eller
s.Thefi
rstt
abl
ethey
stoppedbydis
playedpi
ctur
esofyounggirl
s.

“
Vir
gini
ti
esf
ors
ale,
1mi
ll
ionnai
raeac
h,exc
eptf
ort
hisone,
shegoesf
or2.
5mi
ll
ion”

“
Whatmakeshers
pec
ial
?”t
heher
bal
istas
ked

“
Chur
chgi
rlwhos
epar
ent
shavei
nves
tedpr
ayer
sofbl
ess
ingsi
ntoherl
if
e.Youc
anus
eher
vi
rtuest
opr
oduc
eover100mi
ll
ioni
fyouar
ever
ygoodatwhatyoudo”t
het
raders
aid

“
Hmm,
soundst
empt
ing”t
heher
bal
ists
aid.
“Wewi
llc
hec
kbac
k,wes
til
lwantt
ochec
kar
ound!
”

TheHer
bal
istandWi
sdomhads
teppedawayf
romhi
stabl
e.

“
Baba,
thi
spl
aceyoubr
oughtme,
Idon’
thavemoneyt
otr
ade.
“Wi
sdoms
aid

“
Cal
mdown…Youc
ant
radewi
thyourownvi
rgi
nit
y,I
knowyouar
est
il
lavi
rgi
n?”

“
Tradewi
thmyownVi
rgi
nit
y?"

“Yes
,Investi
nyoursel
f,Sel
lyourvi
rgi
nit
yandwhatevermoneyyoumakeoutofit,
youwil
lstar
t
buyi
ngt heVir
gini
ti
esofyounggirl
swhichyouus
eforyourgoodluc
kchar
msf orbusi
nes
s.”

“
IfI
sel
lmyvi
rgi
nit
y,won’
ttheper
sonwhoboughti
tbeus
ingmys
tar
stopr
osper
?”

“Mostdef
ini
tel
y,butyouwi
lli
ntur
nus
eot
herpeopl
e’ss
tart
opr
osper
,that
’showi
twor
ksi
nthe
darkworl
d.

Mostofushavel
ostours
tar
s,s
owet
hri
veonot
herpeopl
e’ss
tar
s.I
t’
sanunendi
ngc
irc
leof
monkeyeatmonkey.
“

“
Ok,
sohowmuc
hwi
llmyVi
rgi
nit
ybewor
th?”

“
Youwantt
oknow?”
“
Yes
!”

“
Comewi
thme”

Theherbalis
thadtakenWisdombythehandt
oat
abl
esetfarawayf
romt
heot
hert
abl
es.
Wisdomr eadthebannerovert
heShed.
STARWEI
GHTCHECK

“
Greet
ings
,Iwoul
dli
ket
ochec
ktheVi
rgi
nit
ywor
thoft
hisyoungman”

“OK”t
hef
emal
eat
tendantans
wer
ed

“
Comet
ome”anol
dwomans
eat
edont
hemats
aidt
oWi
sdom.

Wi
sdomwal
kedi
nfeart
owar
dst
hewoman.

“
Kis
sme”t
heol
dwomans
aid

Wisdomjumpedbac
k.Hec oul
dn’
ttellwhetheritwasoutoffearordi
sgus
t,buts
omet
hingi
n
hi
mr ebel
ledatt
hethoughtofki
ssi
ngt heoldanduglylooki
ngwoman.

“Youcal
lmeOl
dandUgl
y?”t
heol
dwomans
aids
uddenl
y.Wi
sdomwasmor
eaf
rai
dknowi
ngs
he
hadreadhi
smi
nd.

“Woul
dyoupref
erIappearl
ikethi
s?”Befor
eWisdom’
sveryeye,
theol
dwomant
rans
for
medt
oa
beaut
if
ult
eenager
,fai
randsli
m, j
ustthewayheli
kedthem.

Wi
sdomnodded…
Witht
hathemovedinandkis
sedtheol
dwomantur
nedbeautif
ulgi
rl
.Ashewaswithdr
awing
fr
omtheki s
s,t
hegi
rlhadt
urnedbackt
otheol
dwoman.Wisdomjumpedbac
kinfearand
di
sgustagai
n…

Thatgott
heol
dwomanl
aughi
ng;

“
Humanswil
lneverc easetoamaz eme, whatyoureyesseeiswhatl
uresyoutodestr
ucti
on.
WhenIwasabeaut i
fulgirl
,youcameeas i
ly,butwhenIgotbacktomynormalself
,youran.Man,
t
heboyhassomehundr edsofmill
ionsofstars,
ifhegi
veshimsel
f12yearsf
romnow, hewoul d
makes
omec leanmoney, buthisvi
r gi
nit
yiswor t
h10mi l
li
onatthemoment.Ashegr owsolder,
t
heval
uewillincr
ease"

“
Wow!Luc
kyyou!
”theher
bal
ists
creamed

“
Thankyou!
”theher
bal
ists
aid“
Howmuc
hdowepayf
ort
hewei
ghtc
hec
k?”

“
Don’
tbot
her
,Ihavet
akent
hes
tarwor
thf
romhi
m”

Wi
sdomdi
dnotgett
hat
,hel
ookedatt
heher
bal
istques
tioni
ngl
y

“
Whenyouki
ssedher
,shehaswi
thdr
awns
omes
tar
sfr
omyouf
orpayment
”

“
Star
scanbewi
thdr
awnt
hroughki
ssi
ng?”

“
Yes
,butonl
yins
mal
lmeas
ures
!’

“
OK!Sowhatnext
?"Wi
sdomas
ked
“
Wegetaf
emal
ebuyerf
oryourvi
rgi
nit
y,andI
amt
hinki
ngofs
omeonewhoc
anbuyt
hathi
gh“

“
Who?’

“
MadamEvel
yn!
”

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:27pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART29

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

“Whoi
sMadamEvel
yn?”Wi
sdomas
ked

“Sheistheor ganiz
erofthisfair
.Shehasacompanycal
ledShenani
gans
, s
hetrai
nsandhel
ps
peopletofeastonot herpeople’
sstar
s.Whenyougetpeopl
e’sst
arandsel
lit
,youwil
lgi
vehera
shareofit
,ifyouar eunderher.Shewilll
ovet
obuyyourvir
gini
ty.I
canhelpyoumakeherbuyi
t
forahighprice.”

“
Ok!
,wher
eiss
he?”

“
ComeWi
thme!
”theher
bal
istl
edWi
sdomt
oabeaut
if
ull
ydec
orat
edt
ent
li
keof
fi
ce.

“Myfr
iend,
myfri
end!
”awomanf
ull
ycl
othedi
nagol
ddr
essanddec
kedwi
thGol
djewel
ri
es
sai
donseei
ngt
heherbal
ist

“Gr
eet
ings!I
broughtayoungboyyoumi
ghtl
ike,
hei
sreadyt
osel
lhi
svi
rgi
nit
ysot
hathec
an
s
tar
tof
fhi
sownt
radi
ng.
”

Thewomanbec
konedonWi
sdom,
ofwhi
chhewentt
owar
dsher
..

Madamevel
ynt
ouc
hedhi
smal
eor
ganandi
mmedi
atel
ywi
thdr
ewt
hehand…

“Hot
!Hot
!”MadamEvel
yns
aid"I
wil
lpayyou10mi
ll
ion”

“15mi
ll
ion!
”

“Fi
ne!Whenyouar
ereadyl
etmeknow”

“Hei
sready.
”Theher
bal
ists
aid

Wis
domwat c
hedasMadamEvelyns
toodup.
Shewasamas
siveheapoff
at.
Wis
domwonder
ed
whatwasgoi
ngtohappennext
.

“
Comeoverher
e!”MadamEvel
yns
aid

Theher
bal
istnudgedWi
sdomt
owar
dswher
eMadamEvel
ynwasheaded.

“WhatamI
goi
ngt
odo?”Wi
sdomas
kedi
nnoc
ent
ly

“Youwi
lls
leepwi
thhernow!
”

Wisdomfr
ozeonthespot
,hecoul
dn’
timagi
net
hatthef
irs
twomanhewoul
dsl
eepwi
thwast
he
obesewoman.Theher
bal
istmovedt
ohimandsai
d..
“
Ifyoudon’
tdoi
t,s
hec
anki
llyouf
orhavi
ngherhopesup”

Wisdomspentt
henextfi
veminutesdr
eadi
ngwhathewasdoi
ng.
Themomenther
eleas
edhi
s
spermint
oher,
shesai
dcasual
ly.
.

“St
andup,
wear
edone.
Nic
edoi
ngbus
ines
swi
thyou.
”

Wi
sdomwor
ehi
str
ous
ersi
nar
ush,
hewasl
ooki
ngf
ort
hec
los
estpl
acet
othr
owup.

“Li
brat
ransf
erfi
fteenmi l
li
ontohi
m”MadamEvelynsai
dtoayoungerversi
onofhers
elf
.She
wasver
ybeauti
ful.Wisdomhadrecei
vedanal
ertof15mil
li
oni
mmedi at
ely,ofwhi
chhesent1.
5
mil
li
ontotheherbali
stashisc
ommi s
sion.

Fromt here,t
heher bali
sttookhi
mbac ktot
heVir
gini
tys
tandwher
eheboughtt
hevi
rgi
nit
iesof
threegirl
sincludi
ngt hatoftheChr
ist
ianGi
rl.

Ongett
ingbackt
otheher
bal
ist‘
spl
ace,theher
bali
stmades
omec
har
msf
orhi
mthatmadehi
m
getac
ontrac
twherehemadeaprof
itof50mill
ion.

Wisdombecamestuckt
heraf
ter
,hebecameavi
rgi
nit
ycol
lec
torhi
msel
f,s
omeheus
edf
or
hi
ms el
f,whi
leot
herehesol
datthef
air
.

Aft
erabouttwoyearsofr
unninghi
sthingindependent
lywi
tht
hehel
poft
heher
bal
ist
,hehad
bumpedintoLi
braatoneoftheShenaniganFai
r.

“I
hear
dyouar
ethebes
tVi
rgi
nit
ysel
lerar
ound”Li
brahads
aid

“Wor
dgoesr
oundqui
ck.
”Wi
sdomr
epl
ied
“Well
,Iwoul
dn’
texpectl
ess,
yousl
eptwithmother
,thegoddes
sher
sel
f,t
headvant
ageoft
hat
i
sthatyoumusthavegot
tensomeofheracqui
ri
ngpowers.
”

“Hmm,
youc
oul
dsayt
hat
.”

“Iwast hinki
ng,woul dyouliket ojoinouragency?Werunthingsbigther
e,wehave
sophisti
catedweapons .Wear eabl etosearchoutbigst
arsandtracethem.Iamtal
kinggame
hunting.Thereareal otofunt appedpot ent
ial
soutther
e,i
nfactifyouwanttocont
inuei
nyour
vir
ginityexpert
ise,youwillflouris
hbet terworki
ngwithus.Wehavewhatwec allt
heStar
Searcher,shehelpslocateloadeds t
ars.
”

“
Soundsi
nter
est
ing,
butwhatar
ethemodal
it
ies
”

“Youworkasoneofouragent
s,weprovi
deyoueveryt
hingyoumayneedi nyourgamehunt
ing,
andonceyousucc
essful
lysel
lyourgame,weget30percentofyours
ales
.”

“30%?”Wi
sdoml
aughedatt
heper
cent
age.
“That
’sar
ipof
f”

“30% ofs
alesli
ke300mill
ionononeproduct!Somevi
rgini
ti
esworthuptot
hatamount
,onl
y
ourstars
earcherc
anfindthoseki
ndofstars
.Thetr
uthissomestar
sarever
ydif
fi
cul
tto
disc
over,
butthestars
earcherwil
lfi
nditout.
”

Thatmadehi
mst
opt
hel
aught
erabr
upt
ly.

“300mi
ll
ionf
ors
omeone’
svi
rgi
nit
y?”

“Yes
!Whydon’
tIgi
veyouat
estr
un.
“Li
brabr
oughtoutherphone.
Shec
lic
kedonani
con

“
SHE”.
Wis
domwat
chedhows
het
yped‘
SEARCHFORLOADEDVI
RGI
NSI
NABEOKUTA”
….The
appimmediatel
ybroughtoutal
istofl
adi
es.
Libr
acl
ickedont
hef
irs
tgi
rlont
hel
ist
,andc
opi
ed
outheri
nformati
on.

“YourPhonenumber
,pl
eas
e?”

“08……”Wi
sdomr
emember
edc
all
ingouthi
snumberi
nar
ush.

Aswi sdoms toodinhishotelroominKadunat hinkingaboutt heins

ulthehadbeens ervedby
Osas ,her emember edhowhehadt rac
keddownt hevill
agegi rli
nAbeokuta.Hehadr enteda
hous eanddi sguis
edasayout hcor
per.Ittookhimt woweeksofpur sui
ngherhotl
y.She
event uallygaveintohiswi l
esbecauseoft hehopeofhimget ti
ngmar r
iedtoherandt aki
ngher
abroad. Wi s
domhadt akenherbloodstaint ot
heShenani ganmar ketwithherpi
ctur
e, andwhen
hec hec kedthes t
arwei ght
,hervir
gini
tywaswor th150mi ll
ion.

Her
emember
edr
unni
ngt
oLi
braands
hout
ing…

“I
ami
n!”

Wis
domhadj oi
nedtheShenani
ganproperl
y,andf r
omt hatmomenthehadbeencashi
ngoutbig
t
ime.Therewer
etimeshewasl uckyt
ogetloadedvirgi
ns,ot
hert
imeshejustmadedowit
ht he
r
egularvi
rgi
nswhosemarketcostwastheconstantl
ybetween2mill
ionand5mill
ion.

Onotheroccas
ions,thestarsearcherhadgivenhimSt arloadedboyswhohest
olet
heirs
tars
thr
oughintr
oducingt hemtodr ugs,al
cohol
ism, mast
ur bati
on,dat
ingol
derwomenformoney.
However,hi
sstarsearcherhadpoppedupLef t
y’snameoneni ght.

TheSt
arsear
cherhadindi
cat
edthathewasaboutt
obeconnec
tedt
oaf oot
bal
lcl
ubabr
oadand
whenWis
domwei ghedwhathiss
tarwasworth,
hehadhi
smouthwideopen.

Heknewi fhecoul
dgethisbl
oodandauc
t i
oni
tattheShenani
ganfai
r,hec oul
dgetnot hi
ngles
s
thanabil
li
on.Heregret
tedf
ornotf
oll
owingwit
hhisplans
,hehadbeengr eedy.Thethoughtof
gett
inghi
sownc hil
dwhichwoul
dbeworthdoublehi
sownmadehi mof f
ert ogointo
partners
hipwi t
hOs as
.Os as'gamewasal soabiggame,sothethoughtofbot
hoft
hemcomi
ng
togethertocreateachil
dandt heyaucti
oningt
hebloodofthatchi
ldwaswhatmadehi
moff
er
thepartners
hip.However, atthatpoint
,hewasregret
tingi
t.

Hewasgoi
ngtoteac
hherabigles
son.
Hewasgoi
ngt
oletherknow,
hec
oul
ddowi
thouther
,
buts
hecoul
dnotdowit
houthim.

Hewillgobac ktohi
sorigi
nalplanofdeceivi
ngLeft
y, taki
nghimoutoft hecountry,
and
abandoninghimatt heair
port.Thenhewoul dgi
veananonymoust i
pthatheisat err
ori
stand
shoul
dber eturnedbacktoNigeria.
Hewillbedeportedandt hatwi
llsendhimi nt
odepressi
on.
Hewillther
eaf t
erproj
ectthespiri
tofs
uici
det ohi
sli
f e.Lef
tywouldkillhi
mselfandhewi l
lsel
l
thebloodattheShenaniganfai
r .

*******

Osasdr
oppedherbag,t
her
ewasnosensei
ngoi
ngoutt
hatni
ghtanymor
e.Shehadt
opac
kup
fort
hecont
inuat
ionoft
hei
rgamehunti
ng.

Osaschec
kedt heAppt ofi
ndouti
ftheSHEnani
ganpr
ojec
thous
ewasvac
ant
.Itwoul
dbe
di
sast
rousifanotheragentwasus
ingthepl
ace.

“
INUSE”

Osasknewi
t!Shejusthadt
hef
eel
ingt
hehous
ewasnotvac
ant
.Shec
hec
kedt
oseewhowas
us
ingthepr
ojecthouse…

Li
bra!

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:28pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART30
"
THESHENANI
GANS

Libr
awasthedaught
eroftheBossoftheShenani
gancompany.SherememberedhowLibrahad
recr
uit
edheri
ntotheShenani
gan.TheyhadmetataclubinAbuja.
Libr
awastargeti
ngtheman
sheoughtt
ospendthenightwi
th.WhilehermanwasattheBar,Li
brahadwalkeduptoher…

“
Doesmaki
ng20mi
ll
iont
hisni
ghtmakes
ens
etoyou!
”Li
braas
ked

“I
twil
lmakesens
easlongasI
don’
thavet
osl
eepwi
thadog.
”Os
asr
epl
iedast
hatwast
he
tr
endi
ngthi
ngintown

“Youwon’
tevenhavet
osl
eepwi
thanyt
hingoranyone”

“I
can’
tki
llanyone”Os
ass
aid

“Youwil
lmake20mil
li
onfordoi
ngabsolut
elynot
hing.
AllI
needyoutodoistel
lChi
efAjet
hat
youcan’
tsl
eepwit
hhi
mt oni
ght,
andintr
oducemet ohi
m.I wi
lls
leepwi
thhi
mandaf t
erwards
payyou20mil
li
on.
"

“Youar
eanas
sas
sin?”Os
asas
ked

“NO!Ican’
tevenhur
tafly.Thethi
ngisIworkforanagenc
yandourj
obi
stos
leepwi
tht
op
per
sonali
ti
esatther
equestofthei
ropponents
.”Li
brali
ed

“Oh!CanIhaveadepos
itof10mil
li
onfi
rst
,bef
oreIgetyoui
ntr
oduc
ed.
Ihavebeendat
ingt
he
manfortwomonthsandIhavenotmade5mill
ionof
fhim"

Li
brabr
oughtoutherphoneandaf
terget
tingOs
as'
acc
ountdet
ail
s,t
rans
fer
redt
hes
umof10
mil
li
on.
Os
asr
emember
edhows
hehadpl
ayedt
hegames
moot
hly…

WhenChi
efAj
eret
urnedt
othei
rVI
Plounge,
hewass
urpr
isedt
oseeLi
brat
her
e…

“Chi
ef,
Shei
swi
thme.
Ical
ledhert
ojoi
nus
."Os
ass
aid

“Oh!Hell
o…Howar eyoubeaut
ifull
ady”Chi
efAj
esai
dobvious
lysubduedbyLi
bra’
sbeaut
y.
Li
bra’
sbeautywasofft
hechart
s,Osasknewshemusthaveworkedonherski
n.Herski
nspoke
moneyinloudvol
umes.

“Fi
neSi
r!
”Li
brar
epl
iedwi
thanabs
olut
elyer
oti
cvoi
ce

“Chief
,somethi
nghappenedandIneededt
oquicklysortits
oI don’
tkeepyouhangi
ng.The
thi
ngisIsuddenl
ys awmymonthl
yvisit
ort
hisevening,
s oIthoughtofwhocoul
dfil
linf
orme.
ThatwaswhenI contac
ted…”

“Li
bra”Li
braqui
ckl
ysuppl
ied

“Shei
sahor
se,
soI
knows
hec
ans
tandi
nformet
hisni
ght
.”

“Ohr eal
ly?Hmm…verythought
fulanduns
elf
ishofyou”Chi
efAj
esai
dashel
ust
ful
lyt
ooka
lookatLibraf
romheadt
otoe.

ChiefAj
ehadtakenLibratooneoft hequic
kies
uitesatthec
lub,whil
eOsaswai
tedfort
hem.
Whi l
eshewai
ted,shekeptc hecki
ngherbankaccounttobesur
ethemoneywouldnotdisappear
,
butthemoneywass til
lint
act.Shetr
ansf
erreds
omemoneyt oasecondac
countshehad,tobe
sur
et hemoneywasr ealanditwentthr
ough.
Afteraboutfor
tyfiveminut
es,Li
brasteppedoutwit
hasat
isfi
edlooki
ngChi
efAj
e.Chi
efAj
e
gaveOs assomemoneyi nappreci
ati
on,befor
eleavi
ngt
heclub.Li
brasatwi
thOs
asattheVI
P
lounge.Shebroughtoutherphone…

“Canyougivemeyouraccountdet
ail
sagai
n?Andpl
eas
ehavet
his
”Li
bras
aidt
hrus
tingt
he
moneyChiefAj
ehadgivenhertoOsas.

“Aunty,bef
oreIgi
veyoumydet ai
lsagai
n,pl
easewhoar eyou?Iwanttobeli
keyou,
Ihavebeen
doi
ngt hi
sAsewo(Pr
osti
tut
ion)f
oryearsandIhavenevercashedoutl
ikethi
s.
”Osass
aid
desperat
ely

“Youc
an’
tdowhatI
do?”Li
brar
epl
iedl
aughi
ng

“Aunt
y,i
fwomanc
ans
leepwi
thdi
ff
erentmen,
whatel
sec
ans
henotdo?"Os
ass
aidr
het
ori
cal
ly

“I
col
lec
tpeopl
e’sweal
thf
romt
hem!
”Li
bras
aid

“How?”Os
asas
ked

“I
t’
scompl
icat
ed”

“I
ams
mar
t,I
wil
lcat
chupi
fyous
har
ewi
thme”

“Ok!LetmeuseChiefAjeasanexample,
Chi
efAjewouldhavebeenthenextgover
norofour
st
ate,hi
swif
ehadpr ayedhimint
othatbl
ess
ing.Twoyear
sfromnow, heoughtt
obenomi nat
ed
byhispar
tyt
orepresentthemandcompetefort
hegovernorshi
pseat
.”

“Howdoyouknowt
hat
?”
“WehaveSpi
ri
tualf
ores
ight
”

“Oh!
”Os
ass
aid.
Shewasi
mpr
ess
edbywhats
hewashear
ing.

“I
dis
cover
edi
tonmySt
ars
ear
cher
..
”Li
bras
aidf
urt
her

“St
ars
ear
cher
?”Os
ass
aidt
ryi
ngt
ocat
chupwi
tht
hec
onver
sat
ion.

“Thedevi
cef
ort
rac
kingdowns
tar
s”

“Ok?”Shes
til
lwasnotget
tingi
t.
..

"Di
dyouevergot
ochur
ch?"Li
braas
kedoutoft
hebl
ues

"Yeah..
.
WhenIwasyoungerands
omet
imeswhenI
jus
twantt
ocl
earmyhead,
Igot
oany
churc
honSunday"

"Good!Thenyoumustknowthepopul
arst
oryaboutt
hewis
ement
hatdi
scover
edt
hes
tarof
BabyJesusandtr
acedhi
sstart
ogivehi
mgift
s?"Li
braas
ked

"Yes
..
.

"AndtheKi
ngaskedt
oknowwher
ethec
hil
dwas
,sohec
anal
sowor
shi
pthec
hil
d,meanwhi
le
hewantedt
okil
lthec
hil
d!"

"Yep!"

"
Wear
eli
ket
hos
eWi
semenandt
heKi
ngputt
oget
her
.Wes
ear
chf
ors
tar
sli
ket
hewi
semen
andli
kewhatt hekingwantedtodo,wetrac
kthes
tardownandthroughanymeansposs
ibl
e,we
taket
heirst
arsforoursel
ves.I
magineift
hatKi
ngt
ookthest
arofJesus,t
heKingwoul
dhave
beenthehouseholdname."Li
brasaid

"Wow!
"Os
asc
oul
dn'
tbel
ievewhats
hehadj
usthear
d

“SoWhenI spott
edthefor
thcomi
nggoodl uckaboutt
ohitChi
efAje,
Icheckedwhathewouldbe
worthaft
erhis8yearst
enureasGovernor
,itwas70bil
li
onNair
a.Hence,I
decidedt
ogetthat
vi
rtueandselli
tofft
osomeoneelse.“

“Li
kegi
vet
hegover
nor
shi
ptos
omeoneel
se?”Os
asas
kedl
ikeanovi
ces
hewas

“Yes,t
hrought
hesexwejusthad,
Ihavewi
thdr
awnt
hevi
rtue”Li
bras
howedOs
asChi
efAj
e’
s
sper
mi nafemalec
ondominherbag.

“Wehavet hi
str
adefair
,it
’scoded,mymotherrunsit
,peoplec
omet obuythingsl
iket
hisand
theyusethemtoprepar
ec harmsfort
hemselves.I
nthiscas
e,Iamgoingtocontac
tapoli
tic
ian
i
nar i
valpart
yorsamepar ty,whowil
lbewill
ingtobuyfor1bill
ion.
”

“Oh!,I
see,t
hatmakessense.Iamsuretheywi l
lbewill
ingt
obuyt hevi
rtuef
ort
hatpri
ces i
nce
attheendoftheper
son’sei
ghtyeartenurehewoul dbeworth70bil
li
onandnowonder,you
couldpayme20mi l
li
ontos l
eepwithhim.PleaseIbegyou,
recrui
tme.Iamaverygood
seductr
ess
,Icanworkforyou.
”

Osasrememberedhowshehadfol
lowedLi
brat
otheShenani
ganof
fic
ethatni
ghtandwas
wowedbyt heact
ivi
ti
est
here.
Shehadbeenwit
hthemfortwoyear
sandshehadmadesome
coolmoney.

However
,Mor
ayowoul
dbeherbi
gges
tcas
houtandul
ti
mat
elyAda;herhot
tes
tcas
hout
.
Os
aspi
ckedupherphone.

Shedi
aledLi
bra’
snumber
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:28pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART31

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Libr
ahadwr appeduphergamehunti
ng.I
twasmeanttotake7days,butasaprofess
ionalt
hat
shewas,s
hehadwr appedupi
nthr
eedays.Shewasgoi
ngtolaz
earoundintheprojec
thousefor
theremai
ningfourdays.

Hergamewasa17yearol dboywhowasi nt
oonli
nescam.Hewastheonlychil
dofan
evangeli
st.
Theboyhadjoi
nedbadf
riendswhohadintr
oducedhimint
oOnlinefraud.Their
str
ategywastodateol
derwomen,getint
othei
rheadsandusechar
mst ogetthemt ogivethem
lar
ges umsofmoney.

Librawhohadcaughtsi
ghtofhisstars,
whichwasasar es
ultofhismother
’sprayer
,deci
dedto
hunthimdown.Itwaseasytohunthimdownonl ine.
Shewast heonewhos enthimafri
end
request.
Shepos
edasabl ackAmerican.Li
brawasnotthetypetorushhergamehunt i
ngasshe
madehergamest r
ustherfull
ybeforehunti
ngthemdown. ShehadplayedalongwithTimand
aftert
hreemonths,
shetoldhimshewant edtoseehimphysic
ally.

Shet oldhims hewasgoingt ot

raveltoNiger
iat
obewithhi
mf oraweek.Shetol
dhimher
travelagentwillgetanapartmentforthemtost
ayin.
Shehads enthi
m3mi l
li
onNair
atoget
readyforher.Timhadt houghthi
sc har
mwaswor ki
ngonher,unknowingt
ohim,shehadst
art
ed
payinghimf orhisstar
s.

Li
brahadweighhi
sstaranditwaswort
h500mil
li
onasatthatt
ime,
shewaswil
li
ngt
obuyi
t
fr
omhimf or50mil
li
on,thatist
osay,
shewasr
eadytospend50mil
li
ononhi
m.
Unfortunatelyfort heyoungboy,het houghthewasbei ngsmartwhenhear ri
ved. Hehad
spokenYor ubaInc antati
ontoherc ommandi nghertogivehim20mi ll
ionNaira,Librahadpl
ayed
alongandt oldhims hewouldgivehimaf tertheyhadtheirs
exualint
ercours
e. Librahadworn
herfemal eprotectivecondomi nothertoc ol
lecthi
ssperminthere.I
twasas uc cessf
ul
coll
ection.Afterthes exualt
ransacti
on, whichhewasunawar eof,hegladl
yac ceptedthe20
mi l
li
ont hi
nkinghehadwonaj ackpot.

Li
bral
aughedathi
signor
anc
e,hes
oldhi
s500Mi
ll
ionNai
rades
tinyf
orJ
ust23mi
ll
ionNai
ra.

Onthethi
rdday,Li
brawastir
edofhischil
dishbehavior,
soshepretendedhischar
mwas
weari
ngout.Shebegantoaskwhyshesenthi m 20mi l
li
on.Ti
ms awitasac uetor
un.Het ol
d
herhewantedtogetsomewineattherestaurantcl
oseby.Li
brahadlethimgoandt ypi
calof
whatshewasexpecti
ng,Ti
ms wi
tchedoffhisphone.Libr
aknewhewas n’
tcomingback.

Li
brawasi nt
hec i
nemawatc
hingamovi eands
ippingherf
avor
itewi
ne,
MonDel
lowhenher
of
fi
cialphonerang,t
hec
all
erIDreveal
ed“SHEOs as”
.

Befor
epicki
ngupthec all,
sheremember edhows hehadcomeupwi ththeName“SHENANI
GAN
”.HerMotherhadbeenr unni
ngherstartradingbusi
nesscal
li
ngitbyhername"EVELYN
SPIRI
TUALMARKET"butonedayi nSecondarySchool
,oneofLibr
a'steacher
shadus
edthewor
d
“Shenani
ganinherstatementwhenadmoni s
hingher.

“Li
bra,yourshenani
ganswillnottakeyouanywher e”thefemaleteacherhadbeenrefer
ringt
o
herfl
irt
ynaturewithboysandmal et eachers.Unknownt othoseshewasf l
ir
tingwit
h,her
motherhadgivenhertheas si
gnmentoff l
ir
tingwithboysandens uri
ngtheyhadas perm
rel
ease.Shewouldhelpthemc leantheirsper mandt akethehandkerchi
efsbacktohermother.
Hermot herwouldpayherforeachs permr el
eas eshebrought.

Libr
ahadr esear
chedtheWor dSHENANI GANSands omeofthemeaningsthatpoppedoutwas
“SecretorDis
honestActi
vit
yorManeuver i
ng”.
Sheknewt hatwaswhattheywer edoi
ng,
secretl
ymaneuveringpeoplei
ntosteali
ngthei
rstars,
glor
yandvir
tues.Shetol
dhermot her
aboutt hename.Shetol
dhermot heritwasachicandtushname.
Thatwashowt
henamewasadopt
ed.

“Hel
loSHEOs
as!
”

“Hel
loSHELi
bra,
howar
eyoubos
s?”

“Goodasever
!What
sup?”

“I
needyourhel
p”

“Askandyous hal
lrec
eive!
”Li
brawass
omeonewhoreadt
heBibl
ealot,
butshereadi
tfor
res
earchpurposes
.Hergamesweremost
lyc
hurc
hpeoples
osheneededtobearmedwitht
he
Scr
ipt
ures.

“Ineedtousetheproj
ecthouseyouar
eusi
ngatthemoment…”Os
ass ai
dasshetookt
henext
fewminutestoexpl
ainwhatthegamehunt
ingwasaboutandt
hestagetheywer
eat.

“Ok,nopr
oblem,
sinc
eyouwil
lbeus
ingi
tforaday,Iwi
lls
tayi
nyourof
fi
cewhi
leyous
orti
tout
,
becaus
eIi
ntendst
ayi
ngbac
katthehous
eforthenextf
ewdays!”

“Nopr
obl
em!Havi
ngyoubehi
ndt
hes
cenewoul
dal
sobef
un.
”

Li
brahadagoodfeel
ings
omethi
ngbi
gwascomingf
orheri
nOs
as'
andWi
sdom'
spr
ojec
t.She
hadafeel
ing,
shewasgoi
ngtocat
chabi
gst
ar.
..

Whowast
hebi
gst
ar?
Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:29pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART32

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Thingshadreturnedbac
ktonormalforLef
tyandBayo,butdepr
essi
onwasgraduall
yset
tingi
n
forhimashec ouldnotf
orgi
vehi
ms elff
ortr
uncat
ingtheplansf
orhimtobepickedupby
Mayor‟sClub.

I
tal
lst
ills
eemli
keadreamt ohi
m.Hehadnotbeenabl
etos
leepi
nweeks
,hes
tayedupl
ate
mos
tnightsr
epl
ott
ingtheevent
soft
hatday.

Hehadpl
ott
edi
tinwayst
hatwoul
dhavemadehi
mavoi
dMor
ayo.
Hehadgr
own

tohat
eMor ayoaseachdaypassedt
othepoi
ntt
hatwheneverhewasr
eff
eri
ngt
oherdur
inghi
s
dis
cuss
ionswithBayo,hecal
ledher

MORI
BANUJ
E(I
sees
adnes
s)i
nst
eadofMORAYO(
ISeeJ
oy)
.

Bayoontheotherhand,t
houghhet r
iedtohi
deitfr
omhi
sfr
iend,
regr
ett
edthepar
thepl
ayed.
Heknewhehadbeenc ar
riedawaybyhisweaknes
swhi
chwasmoviewatchi
ng.
Aft
ert
heygot
backhome,hehadplaceda

rest
ric
tiononhimsel
f,hehadstoppedwatchingmovies
.Healsohads
omethi
ngstr
onghewas
deali
ngwi t
h,hewasalsohavi
ngs l
eepl
essnights
;thesubj
ectofhi
ssl
eepl
essni
ghtwasAda.
He
wishedhec oul
dseeheronemor eti
me.

Lef
tyhadretur
nedtohi
sloc
alcl
ubandonsever
aloccas
ions
,Chi
nedutr
iedappr
oachi
nghimf or
aconver
sati
onbutheal
waysgavehi
mthehandtell
inghimtopl
easel
ethimbe.Lef
tybel
ieved
hewascomingtomakepeacewit
h

hi
maf t
erthefallouttheyhadwit
heachother
,butChi
neduwant
edtotel
lhimaboutan
i
nter
nationalf
ootballacademyhi
sfat
herwantedhi
mtogoforashor
tcours
e.
Hisfatherhadt ol
dhi
mhewouldsponsorafri
endofhi
saswel
l,andLef
tywast
heonl
yper
son
Chinedubelieveddes
erveds
uchoppor
tunit
y.

AsLef
tysati
nhisroom,Heremember
edChi
neduappr
oac
hinghi
mear
li
ert
hatday…Bi
tter
nes
s
hadri
senupinhi
sheartagai
nsthi
monemoreti
me…

“
Idon‟tbl
ameyoust
upidspoi
ltbr
at,
ifnotf
ort
hewi
tcht
hatdes
troyedmyc
hanc
es,
Iwon‟
tbei
n
t
hiscount
ry.
“Lef
tysai
d.

Hi
sPhones
tar
tedbeepi
ng.
Hewasnoti
nthemoodf
oranyc
onver
sat
ion.

“Samuel
,yourphonei
sri
ngi
ng”

“I
know!
”

“Whoi
scal
li
ng?”

“I
don‟
tknowandI
don‟
tcar
e”

“Whatifi
tisMr
.Wis
dom?”Bayosai
dusi
nghi
srec
entbai
tonLef
ty.
Ifhewant
edLef
tyt
odo
anyt
hing,
hewouldf
indawaytoatt
achMrWi
sdom‟snametoi
t.

“
Idon‟tcar
etoni
ght,
theMr
.wi
sdomI
havebeenc
all
ingf
orweeks
…”Lef
tys
aidwi
thno
i
ntent
ionsofpi
cki
ngup.

Thephoner
angf
oraboutt
hreemi
nut
es.
Almos
timmedi
atel
yat
extmes
sagedr
oppedi
ntohi
s
phone.
“
Atl
eas
tyouwi
llr
eadyourt
extmes
sage”Bayos
aid

Leftyrel
unc
tant
lypi
ckeduphi
sfac
eandBayoc
oul
dn‟
thel
pbuts
eehowwhi
tewas
hedhe
looked.

“
Lef
ty!Whati
sit
?”

Bayoc
oll
ectedthephonefromhi
sfr
iend,
hec
hec
kedt
hei
nboxandhi
sjoyknewnobounds
whenhereadthecontent
.

“
Canyouc
omeovert
othehous
etomor
rowMor
ning?

“
Thi
scoul
donl
ymeanonet
hing”Lef
tyt
hought

“
Mr.
Wis
domhasf
orgi
venme,
andwear
eaboutt
opi
ckupf
romwher
ewes
topped.
”

******

Chi
nedus
atonhi
sbedl
ooki
ngatt
hef
ormLef
tyoughtt
ohavef
il
ledf
ort
he

Footbal
lAcademy.Thefootbal
lAcademywasinGermany.Itwasmeanttobeamonth‟st
rai
ning.
However,t
heyneededt osendtheschoolal
ett
erofi
ntroducti
onbytheappl
icant
,whi
chwil
l
faci
li
tat
etheirVi
sa.Alett
erfrom

t
heSc
hoolwi
tht
hei
rnamesoni
twaswhatt
heyoughtt
otaket
otheEmbas
sy.

“
GodwhatdoI
do?”

“
Sendhi
mat
ext
”hehear
dthei
nnervoi
ce.
CoachWildmadeitcompul
soryf
oreveryplayert
ohavealltheteammembers‟numbers,
so
getti
nghisphonenumberwasnotaprobl
em. Hewenttohisbookstandt
ogetthepri
ntedsheet
thathadallt
henumbersof

t
hepl
ayer
s.Hegott
henumberands
entt
het
ext
;

“Boss,goodevening,thisi
sChinedu,pl
easekindlyt
akefewminut
estoreadmytext
.Ift
hereis
anyoneI wors
hipthegr oundhes t
epson, i
tisyou,I
amabigfanofyours
.Ires
pec
tyousomuc h
andwisht hebestforyou.Iti
sthi
sloveIhaveforyouthatmademethinkofnoot
herperson
whenthisbigoppor t
unitycamemyway. MyFatheriss
ponsor
ingmeonaone

mont
hcour
sei
naf
oot
bal
lac
ademyi
nGer
many,
andbenevol
ent
lyofhi
m,

heiswil
li
ngtopayforafri
endofminewhoi
swil
li
ngtogo.
Ithoughtitwouldbeni
cei
fyouwent
aswell
.Boss,
ifyouarei
nteres
ted,
pleas
eki
ndl
yreac
houttomet hi
snight,
asIhavet
osubmi
t
thefor
mi nt
hemor ni
ng.

ThanksandGodbl
essyou.
”

******

Lef
tysatont
hefloornotbeli
evi
ngwhathehadjustread,
hes t
oodups
uddenl
yandstar
ted
packi
ngsomeofhiscl
oths.Hebeli
evedt
hecouplehadforgi
venhi
mandwerereadyt
oconti
nue
wit
hhim.

“
Bayo,
youwi
llc
omewi
thme?”

“
Mos
tdef
ini
tel
y,butt
hist
imear
ound,
Iwon‟
tbewat
chi
ngmovi
es”hes
aidl
aughi
ng.

Chinedu‟stextmadeLef
ty‟
sphonebeep,
Lef
tyr
ushedt
oitt
hinki
ngi
twasf
romMr
.Wi
sdom.
He
readthrought hemes
sage.

“Canyouimaginet
hisspoil
tbrat
?Hethinkstheworl
drevol
vesar
oundhi
mandhisri
chfami
ly,
to
hellwit
hyouandyourrichfat
her,wai
tti
llyouseemeonyourscr
eenwear
ingMayor
‟sc
lub
Jersey.
Itwi
lls
hockyou”
“Whoi
sthat
?”Bayoas
ked

“Nots
omeonei
mpor
tant
!”Lef
tys
aiddi
smi
ssi
ngt
het
ext
.

******

Whatt
heymetwasnotwhatt
heywer
eexpec
ting.

ThemomentBayoandLeft
ywalkedint
otheli
vingroomandsawtheunwelcomingf
acesoft
he
coupl
e,wi
tht
hesadfacesofAdaandMorayo,
Leftygues
sedwhathadhappened.

“
Pleas
e,don‟
tli
ethatI
gotyoupr
egnant
,itwasj
ustonc
eandi
twasaqui
ckone?”Lef
tys
aid

“
Yes
,itwasj
ustt
hatonc
e!”Os
asdef
endedMor
ayo

“Whoareyou?WhathaveIdonet
odes
ervet
his
?Di
dIhur
tsomeonec
los
etoyou?Whyar
eyou
bentondest
royi
ngmyLife?”

“Oh!Sotypic
alofmen, Whenal adyget
spregnant,
sheisthedevilwhowantstodestr
oyyour
li
fe,
havey outhoughtabouthowyouhavedes t
royedherl
ife?Sheissi
xteenandpregnant
,she
oughttobetravell
ingoutofthecountr
yanymomentf romnow, butwit
hababy,thatcan‟
tbe
possi
ble!
”

Mor
ayobr
okedowni
ntear
s…

“
Sowhati
sthewayf
orwar
d?”Wi
sdomas
ked
“
Ther
eisnootherwayf
orwar
dforhert
hant
oabor
tthepr
egnanc
y,s
oshec
anmoveonwi
thher
l
if
e”Osass
aid

“Yes
!”Lef
tyagr
eed

“
Never
!Myf
riendwi
llneverc
ommi
tanabor
tion”Adas
aidf
irml
y

Thi
swastheoppor
tunit
yWisdomwaswait
ingfor,Hewant
edtoshowOsast
hathewasadoni
n
thi
sgame.Hewasgoingtoensur
eOs
aslosthergame,whi
lehewouldwi
nhisgame.

Hewillencour
agethefi
regirlt
ostandonherwor dofnotsupport
ingt
heabor t
ion,t
henthatway
hewillti
eLeft
ydowninNi geri
asayinghecannottakehi
mawayyetunt ilaf
terthebabyi
sborn.
Thos
eni nemonthswil
lthrowLeftyintodepr
essi
onandultimatel
ysui
cide.

“
Icandoit
!”Morayosai
d.I
tmades
ens
etoc
leart
hec
hil
dfr
omherwombs
othatMr
s.Os
asc
oul
d
r
econsi
derhel
pingher

“Ar
eyouOkay?”Adaas
kedMor
ayo

“
Whydon‟
tyouwanthert
ohaveanabor
tion?”Wi
sdomas
ked

“
It
‟sas
in,
andbes
idess
hec
oul
ddi
eint
hepr
oces
s”Adas
aid

“
Itwi
llbedonebyagooddoctor
”Osassai
dquickly,
shewas n‟texpec
tingt
hefi
regi
rltooppose
t
heaborti
on.Abor
tionwast
hefir
stthi
ngteenagersthoughtaboutwhentheygotpregnant
.

“
Buti
tisas
in,
iti
smur
derandExodus20:
13s
ays“
Thous
hal
lnotKi
ll
”.

Mor
ayodoyouwantt
obec
omeamur
der
er?”Adas
aidf
aci
ngMor
ayo
Ther
oombec
ames
ilent
.

******

Li
brawonderedwhatwashappening,
fromtheof
fi
cewher
eshewaswat
chi
ngt
hel
ivi
ngr
oom
fr
omthescreen,
shecoul
dseethingswere

pos
sibl
ynotwor
kingoutast
heypl
anned.
HerSt
ars
ear
cherbeeped…

“
HighRanki
ngSt
ari
ncl
osepr
oxi
mit
y”

Li
bras
atup.

Whichoneofthemwasthehi ghr
ankingstar
?Li
brasuddenlybecameint
er es
tedint
hegame
hunti
ng.Shewasnotsur
et hetwoagentsknewthehi
ghr anki
ngs t
aramongs tt
hegroup,
becausetheydi
dn‟
thavetheversi
onoftheSHENANIGANAPPs hewasusing.

******

Os
askeptgi
vingWi
sdomapi
erc
ingl
ookt
hats
aid…

“
Dos
omet
hing!
”,butWi
sdomdi
dn‟
tmoveamus
cle.

“Areyousuggest
ingyourfr
iendcarr
iesthepregnanc
yf orni
nemonths,gi
vebi
rtht
othechi
ld
i
ntoabjectpover
ty,whi
leLeftyher
et r
avelsouts
idethecountr
ytohaveabett
erli
fef
or
himself
?”Osaspushedfur
ther

“
Wel
l,Honey,
Aslongasshestaysback,
Leftywon‟
ttr
avel
.Hec
an‟
tleavehert
ofac
ethe
c
ons
equencesoft
heirac
tionsalone.
”Wisdomsai
d

Os
aswonder
edwher
ethatc
amef
rom,
buts
hehadt
ocont
inuet
hegamewel
l.
“Thereareconsequencesforact
ionstaken,weneverknowwhatt hechil
dmaybec omeinthe
future.
Whoknowsi ft
hec hi
ldwillr
edeemt hemf ortheirmist
akes,whoknowsifthechi
ldist
he
Lightofthei
rfamili
es.Theshameandpai nwillonlylastthr
eeyearsmax.Morayo.Ipr
omiseto
standbyyou,Iwillbeyourchil
d‟sgodmot her
,Iwillworkhardtosupportyoufor

thethr
eeyear
s.Mor
ayowec
andoi
t.
”Adas
aidf
aci
ngMor
ayoandt
urni
ngherawayf
rom
ever
yone.

Os
aswast
ongue-
tied,
Shec
oul
dnotbel
ievewhatwashappeni
ng.

Wi
sdoms
toods
mir
king,
thi
ngswer
egoi
ngaspl
anned.

Bayores
pec t
edAda.
Hewast or
ni nbet
weens uppor
tinghi
sfr
iendands
tandi
ngf
orwhatwas
ri
ght,
hec oul
dn‟
thelpbutadmireAdaforherfai
th.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.
[
29/
06,
4:30pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART33

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

"Dar
li
ngc
anwet
alki
nsi
de?"Os
ass
aidt
oWi
sdom.

Osaslef
tthel
ivi
ngr
oomwi
ths
omuc
hcont
rol
ledanger
.Shef
oundherwayt
othebedr
oomc
um
of
fic
e.

Li
bras
atwai
ti
ngf
ort
hem,
shehads
eent
hewayOs
ass
tor
medoutoft
hel
ivi
ngr
oom.

Wi
sdomwal
kedi
nfews
tepsbehi
ndOs
as.

"HEWi
sdom,
canyouexpl
aint
omewhatyouar
edoi
ng?"Os
asbar
kedathi
m

"I
don'
tunder
standt
heques
tion"
"Youdon'tunders
tandthequest
ion,
Arewenotmeanttoenc
our
agethemt
ogofort
heabor
tion?
Sowhat'swiththeatt
itude?Whyareyouac
tingl
ikeI
amtheonl
yonewhowant
sthebabyt
obe
abort
ed?"

"Wehavec
easedbei
ngpart
nerssi
ncelas
tnight
. Si
nceyouar
eanowbi
ggi
rl,
youc
an'
thuntyour
gamedownbyyours
elf
.Igi
veyouthebaby,
I wi
lldealwi
thmygamemyway!

"Whatar
eyous
ayi
ng?"

"I
amsayi
ng,Iamnoti nterest
edinshar
ingthebabyagain,I
wil
lworkonmygame.Iwi
lldump
hi
ssor
rysel
f,t
ellhimI c
an' tt
akehi
mabr oad,
hewillf
allint
odepr
essi
onandevent
ual
lyki
ll
hi
msel
f.I
thensellhisblood."

"
AndI
gues
sIwon'
thaveanyt
hingt
osel
l,s
inc
ethegi
rlwon'
tbeabor
tingt
hepr
egnanc
y?"

"Yourl
uck!
"

"Youar
eat
err
ibl
eper
son"

"Youar
ear
udeandpr
oudi
rri
tat
ingt
hing!
"

"Ok!It
hinkI
haveheardenough,
canyoubot
htel
lmewhatt
hef
reaki
shappeni
ngher
e?Os
as
Let'
sstar
twit
hyou.
..
"

Os
asnar
rat
edever
ythi
ngt
hatneededt
obenar
rat
ed.
.

"
Igues
sAdai
sthef
iregi
rl
!"Li
braas
ked

Os
asnodded.
“
Shei
stheonewhoi
sagai
nstt
heabor
tion?”

Wi
sdomandOs
asans
wer
edi
nthepos
iti
ve.

"I
ami
nter
est
edi
nher
!"Li
bras
aid.
Shec
oul
dtel
lshewast
hehi
ghr
anki
ngs
tar
.

Os
asdi
dnotl
ikewhats
hehear
d.Li
brawasaboutt
osnat
chAdaf
romher
.

"Osas
,youcan‟
tbri
ngsomeonel
ikeherdown.
Lear
nfromme.Watchhowiwi
llbr
ingherdown.
Youdon'tr
ushthi
ngswit
hpeopl
eliket
his.
Wearegoi
ngtogi
veherwhats
hewants.Lett
hem
keepthebaby.
"

"What
?"Os
ass
aid

"
Don'
twor
ry,
Iwi
llpayyouf
ort
hel
if
eoft
hec
hil
d.1bi
ll
ionr
ight
?"Li
braas
ked

"Yes
!Youwi
llpayf
ort
hel
if
eoft
hec
hil
d?"

"Yes,t
hefi
regirli
swor t
hbil
li
ons .
Itisbus
inessdarl
ing.Learnthi
s;i
nyourhunti
ngdowngames
,
bewill
ingt
os pend.Theywil
ltrustyouwhenyoui nvestinthem.Idon'
tmindspendi
ngaf
ew
bi
lli
onsonher,whenI knowIwillcashoutabout50bill
ionfromher."

"50bi
ll
ion?She'
swor
tht
hatmuc
h?"

"I
t'
sjus
tanes
timat
e!"
"DoI
getmy1bi
ll
iont
oo?"

"No,
Ihat
etr
ait
ors
,gous
eyourpl
anofs
ell
inghi
sownvi
rtues
."Li
bras
toodup.
.
.

"Comewi
thme,
IamWi
sdom'
ssi
ster
."

*****

Theli
vingroomwasst
il
lver
yquiet
.Ifapi
ndr
oppedi
twoul
dcaus
eal
oudec
ho.
Ther
ewer
eal
ot
ofunspokenwor
dsfl
oati
ngint
heair.

"Areyoual
sooftheopi
niont
hatsheshoul
dcommitanabort
ion?"Adabr
okethesi
lenc
eby
dir
ecti
ngherquest
iont
oBayo.Sherememberedhi
ms ayi
nghewasaChr i
sti
an.

Bayoknewwhatshewass
ayi
ng.
Hehadc
onf
ess
edbei
ngaChr
ist
iant
oherandBi
bli
cal
ly,
kil
li
ng
abeingwhohadl
ife.
wasMur
der
..
.

"AsaChris
tian,Iwon'
tadvi
ses
heabor
ts,
butasaf
riendt
oSamuelher
e,I
amr
ethi
nki
ngwhatI
bel
ievet
obet rue."

"Sowhi
chc
omesf
irs
t,yourf
riendorGod?"

"God!
"Bay
oans
wer
ed

Lef
tywasseat
edt
her
elooki
ngbl
ank.
Hes
awhowoneunc
ont
rol
ledac
twasdes
troyi
nghi
sli
fe,
bri
ckbybr
ick.

"
Hel
lo!
"As
trangevoi
cebr
oket
hes
ilenc
eagai
n
Ever
yonei
nthel
ivi
ngr
ooml
ookedt
owar
dst
hedi
rec
tionwher
ethevoi
cec
amef
rom.

Adasawabeauti
full
adywithabeaut
if
ulsmile.
As mi
lethatwasac
ont
ras
ttowhatwasgoi
ngon
i
ntheLivi
ngroom.OsasandWisdomstoodatherbac
k..
.

"Hel
lo!
"Li
bras
aidagai
n

"Goodmor
ningma!
"Theyal
lmanagedt
ochor
usi
nres
pons
e.

"Mynamei sLi
bra,Wisdomi smyCousin.I
c amet
ospendaweekwiththemandIcoul
dn'
thel
p
buthearthemarguingloudlyint
heirbedroom.I
wenttothei
rroomandaskedwhatt
hematter
was,Igotthegi
standI thi
nk

I
wanttobeinvol
vedi
nt hi
s.Iamal
sooft
heopini
onthatthepr
egnanc
yshoul
dnotbe
t
ermi
nated.
I amabel
ieverandwoul
dnevers
upportthat
!"

"
Thankyouma!
"Li
brahadwonAda'
shear
t

"
Sis
ter
-inl
aw,
Iwon'
tbeabl
etohel
pheranymor
e,s
hec
an'
ttr
avelwi
thapr
egnanc
y."

"I
willtakec
areofherfort
heninemonths
,af
ters
hehasherbaby,
youc
anhel
pher
.Shes
houl
d
beabletodropherchi
ldwithhermot
her!
"

"
Shedoes
n'thaveamot
her
!'
"Os
ass
aids
til
lpl
ayi
ngherpar
tint
henews
cri
pt.

"
Oh!Sosor
ryt
ohearthat
!Well,
Os as
..
.whataboutyou?Youhavebeenl
ooki
ngf
orac
hil
dfor
s
omeyears
,whydon'
tyouadoptthechi
ldaft
erbirt
h?"
Thats
oundedgreati
nAda'
sear
s,buts
her
emember
edherdr
eamaboutac
oupl
esel
li
ngt
he
puppi
esofthei
rdog.

"I
hopet
heywon'
tsel
lMor
ayo'
schi
ld?"

"
Whenwegettothatbr
idge,
wewi l
lcros
sit!
"Adat
oldher
sel
fass
hewant
edt
hewomant
o
s
uces
sful
lyhel
pwithki
ll
ingthenot
ionofthe

abor
tion.

"Ibel
ievewi
ththatset
tled,
myf r
iendc
ans ti
lltr
avelandashemakesmoneyovert
her
e,hewi
ll
sendmoneytoherforherupkeepandthatofthebaby!"Bayos
aidqui
ckl
y

"Noway, CoachFranci
sdoesnotl
ikeIl
legi
ti
mateaff
air
s,hedoesnotli
keBabyDaddiesashi
s
player
s,hebel i
evesanymanwhoc annotbefai
thf
ultoawomanCannotbef ai
thfultohi
steam
member s.I
fyoupl anonkeepi
ngthebaby,hehast
omar ryMorayo,
thatwayhewillbeamarri
ed
manwi thas on.
"

"
Ha!
"Lef
tyexc
lai
med

Morayocoul
dn'tbel
ievewhats
hej
ustheard.Shewasat
eenagerwi
thnoc
areerors
our
ceof
i
ncome,howc anshebecomeawif
esuddenly?.

Adawant
edt
hemt
okeept
hebabybutear
lymar
riagewasaNONOf
orher
.

"Myadvisethen,istopauseonhi st
ravel
li
ng.Iwil
lgetyouaj
ob,
andf
ortheninemonthsof
carryi
ngthepregnancy,youwillworktohaveenoughmoneytot
akec
areofherandthe
pregnanc
y .
Onc e,
s hehasthechil
d,you

bot
hwillgi
veherupforadopt
ion.
Thatwayyouarenol
ongeraBabyDaddy.
Ibel
ievemyc
ous
in
wil
lpr
ocessyourt
ravel
li
ngafter
wards.
”Li
brasai
d
"
SoI
wil
lst
il
lst
ayi
nthi
scount
ryf
oranot
herni
nemont
hs?"Lef
tys
obbed.

"Yesmylovebutdon'
tworryIwi
llmakeitworthwhi
le.
Idon'twantyoutohavebl oodony our
younghands
,Ihavebeenther
eandI don'
tli
kewhatIwentthrough.I
abortedonceandt he
ghostoft
hechi
ldhauntedmeforyearsunti
lIgotmydeli
ver
anc e.
"Li
brasaidconvinci
ngly
...

Os
aswal
kedawayf
eigni
nganger
..
.

******

"I
havewi
red500mi
ll
iont
oeac
hofy
ou,
Iwi
llwi
reyout
her
estwhent
hej
obi
sdone"

"I
nni
nemont
h'st
ime?"Wi
sdomas
ked

"Twoyear
sfr
omnow!
"Li
bras
aid

Os
asandWi
sdoms
har
edas
urpr
isel
ook.

"Youar
est
ayi
ngonherf
ort
woyear
s?

"That
'swhatdiff
erenti
atesmef
romyout
wo.Youdon'
trus
hyourgamehunt
ing,
whenyourus
h
yougetl
ittl
eresult
s.SHEOSASandHEWISDOM,l
earnt
ogoslowandst
eadysoyouc
anwinbig.
Peopl
elikefi
regi
rlcan'
tbe

r
ushed.
Givehertimetot
rust
.Iwi
llmakehert
rus
tmeandt
henas
khert
ogi
vemewhatI
want
f
romher.Tr
usttakest
ime.
"

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.
Pr
ayer
:

TheLor
dwil
lsetc
onf
usi
oni
nthec
ampofyourenemi
esast
heydel
ibr
ateonyourmat
terI
n
Jes
usName.AMEN!

[
29/
06,
4:33pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART34

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Libr
ahadtol
dthefouroft
hemtogi
vehersomeminut
est of
res
henupass
hewant
edt
odr
op
themathome.Shepromis
edtos
peakwit
hMorayo'
sFather.

Libr
ahadgoneint
os et
tleOsasandWisdom.Af
terwhi
ch,
Shegoti
ntoc
hangeofc
lot
hesand
togetherwi
tht
hefourl
efttheproj
ecthous
e.

Bayosatwi
thheri
nthef
ronts
eat
,whi
leLef
tys
atbehi
ndher
,Mor
ayoi
nthemi
ddl
eandAda
behi
ndBayo.

Theydrovei
nsil
enc
et oMor
ayo'
shomebutLibr
at r
iedatdiff
erentt
imest
oengagethemi n
conver
sati
ons.
Shetri
edtol
ight
enupt
hesituat
ion.Shestoppedbyanequi
si
teres
taurantfor
themtoeat.

"
Guys
,lookonthebri
ghts
ide,
thi
smaybeabless
ingi
ndisgui
se,
yourbabymightbeanans
wer
t
osomeone'spr
ayer
.Whenyougiveupt
hebaby,
youwil
lresumeyourl
ivesbac
k.

Mor
ayo,
Ipr
omi
set
ost
andbyyou.
Idon'
t

wantyoubecomingt
roubledlikeI
was .
Lefty,
anybodywhoencouragesanot hertokil
lisal
soa
murderer.
Don'
tdesi
rethatshekil
lsthebaby.God'
swaysarenotours.Let'
ss eewhatGodwi l
l
us
emet odoi
nyourli
ves.Iseeyoubothasanopportuni
tyt
orightmywr ongs."Li
brasaid

Adawasl
ovi
ngt
hiswoman,
thoughs
hehadr
est
ric
tioni
nherSpi
ri
t,s
hewovei
tof
f.
Onget
tingt
oMor
ayo‟
sst
reet
,Li
brakeptl
ooki
ngar
oundands
haki
ngher

heads
imul
taneous
ly.
BayoandLef
tyunder
stoodwhys
hewasdoi
ngt
hat
;theenvi
ronmentwas
amess.

Whi
let
hosei
nt hecarwer
eshaki
ngthei
rheadsinpi
tyattheappal
li
ngs
tat
eoft
heenvi
ronment
,
t
hosei
ntheenvir
onmentweregazi
ngatthecari
nadmirati
on.

“
That
‟sMor
ayo‟
sDad!
”Adas
aids
uddenl
y,maki
ngLi
brahi
tthebr
akess
har
ply.

Thegrouplookedt
owardswher
eAdapoi
ntedat
,itwasal
ocaldr
inki
ngs
pot
.Themenatt
he
joi
nt,
alll
ookedwasted.

“Real
ly?”Li
brac
oul
dnothi
dehers
hoc
k

“
Wow!Convi
nci
nghi
mmi
ghtbeahar
dwor
k"Li
bras
aid

Lef
tywashopi
ngthatMor
ayo‟
sfat
herwoul
dtel
lhi
sdaught
ert
oabor
t,s
ohec
oul
dbef
reet
o
moveonwithhi
sli
fe.

“
Mor ayo,
Areyousur
ewewanttotellyourf
athert
hatyouar
epr
egnant
?orAda,
whatdoyou
t
hink?”Li
braknewAdawasherunknowingall
y.

Adadidn‟
trespondtoherques t
ion,shewasconf
li
cti
ngwithever
ythingsheknew.SheknewGod
hat
edaborti
onbutasi tlooked,thebestopt
ionf
orMorayoandeveryoneconcer
nedwasfor
Morayotoabortthechil
d.

“
MaybeMor
ayos
houl
dabor
tthec
hil
d,wewi
llas
kforGod‟
sMer
cyaf
ter
war
ds"Adas
ucc
umbed
Theotherpai
rofeyesturnedtoAda,Noonewasexpecti
ngthatf
romher ,
evenLi
brathe
prof
essi
onaldi
dn‟tseethatcoming.
Libr
adidn‟tl
iket
hesoundofthat
,shehadtofi
ghti
t.Ada
coul
dnotmakeherl oseafters
pendi
ng1Billi
on.

“
Canwes
tepoutoft
hec
arf
orami
nut
e?”Li
bras
aidt
oAda.

Adas
teppedoutl
eavi
ngt
heot
her
sint
hec
ar.

“
Wher
eist
hatc
omi
ngf
rom?”Li
braas
ked

“
Iamjus
tthinki
ngaboutwhat
‟sbestf
orMor
ayo,
shehasnohel
pfr
omanywher
e,andyouc
an
s
eeherfat
herhasnothi
ngtooff
erher
…”

“Soherpr
esenti
ssuei
smaki
ngyoul
oweryourSpi
ri
tuals
tandar
d”.
Libr
asai
dus
ingt
hebl
ackmai
l
key

“I
amnotlower
ingmyStandard,nomatt
erwhathappenst
ome,
Icanneverc
ons
iderabor
tion,
butMor
ayomaynotbeasstrongasIam”

“Butyoucanborrowhersomestrengt
h.Sweethear
t,eversinceImetyouthismor
ning,
Ihave
beenverygrat
efulfort
hepri
vil
egeofknowingthatwes ti
llhaveyounggi
rlswholovet
heLord,
Pleasedon‟
tdis
appointme.
”

“
Sowhatdowedo?”

Li
bras
ighed.

“Youar
eputti
ngmeunderpr
ess
urerightnow…Ok…I
gues
sthi
sisac
all
ingf
orme…Whatdowe
donow?”Li
brasai
dfei
gni
ngi
gnoranc
eonwhattodo
Meanwhile,
inthevehi
cleMorayoandlef
tycoul
dn‟tbemor eawareofthems el
ves.Kindl
yhi
oheneomeon+233544142683tobeaddedtos t
oryheadquartersr
oom.Mor ayofel
tbadf ort
ying
downLeftysuc
c es
sdownwiththeunfort
unatepregnanc
y.Leftyals
olookedatMor ayoinPit
y,if
onlyhehad

beendis
cipl
inedenoughthatni
ght
,thepoorgi
rlwoul
dhavet
ravel
ledoutoft
hec
ount
ry,
savi
ng
hers
elff
romt hi
spoorli
fe.

“I
ams
orr
y”Lef
tygat
her
eds
trengt
htos
ay

Bayol
ookedbac
ksur
pri
sedhi
sfr
iendwast
alki
ngt
othegi
rlwhohaddes
troyedhi
sli
fe.

Her
ais
edhi
seyebr
owi
naques
tioni
ngmanner
,butLef
tyt
ookhi
seyesof
fBayo.

“
For
giveme,
Ishoul
dhaves
toppedust
hatday!
”hec
ont
inued

“
No,
Ithi
nkI
wast
heonewhoki
ssedyouf
irs
t”Mor
ayos
aidasawayofapol
ogi
zi
ng.

“Webot
hki
ssedour
sel
ves
!“Lef
tys
aid

Mor
ayonodded.

“Let‟
sembr acewhathashappenedtous,andJustl
iket
hewomansaid,
whoknowss omeone
els
emi ghtneedthechi
ld,don‟
tletuski
llourbl
ood.Iwi
llwai
twi
thyoufort
henexteight
months,andoncewegett hechi
ldout

oft
heway,
Ibel
ievet
hiswomanwi
llbeabl
etoConvi
nceMr
.Wi
sdomandhi
swi
fet
ohel
pus
.

I
nfoot
ball
,whenweloseagame,
wedon‟
tqui
tfoot
bal
l,wemove.
Thi
smi
stakeofour
swi
llnot
s
topus
.“Left
ysai
dspeaki
ngli
kea
Mot
ivat
ionals
peaker
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:34pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART35

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Bayowashappyhi
sfriendwasthi
nkingri
ghtbuthewasthinki
ngofhowhewasgoingtocarefor
thepr
egnantgi
rlf
inancial
ly,
andal
mos tl
ikeLef
tywaseavesdroppi
ngonhi
sfr
iend‟
sthoughts
,
hesai
d…

“Iwi
llbes
uspendi
ngf
oot
bal
lfort
henextei
ghtmont
hs,
soI
cangetawel
lpayi
ngj
obt
osuppor
t
you”

Mor
ayot
urneds
har
plyatLef
ty,
buti
twasBayowhos
poke

“What
?Ar
eyoui
nsaneors
omet
hing,
Youc
an‟
tqui
tfoot
bal
l,youc
angetas
idej
obi
nst
ead”

“Yes!
”MorayoknewFoot
ballwashisli
fe.
Sher
emember edhowt heyhaddi
scus
sedatl
engt
hthe
daytheycommittedt
heact
, Lef
tyhadmadeherunder
standthatFootbal
lwaswhathewas
li
vingfor
.

“
Iamnotqui
tti
ngf
oot
bal
l,I
amonl
ytaki
ngabr
eakt
ober
espons
ibl
eformyac
tions
”

“
Guy,
don‟
tbei
nar
usht
otakedec
isi
ons
.Canwet
alkout
sidet
hec
ar?”

Bayos
aid
“
Ther
eisnot
hingt
otal
kabout
!”Lef
tyr
epl
ied

“
Guy,
comedown,
Let
‟st
alk

“I
sai
dtherei
snot
hingtot
alkabout”Lef
tysaidrai
singhi
svoi
ce.
Thatcaughtt
heat t
enti
onof
Li
braandAdawhowereouts
idethevehicl
e.Theyrushedtot
hevehi
clei
mmedi at
ely.

“
What‟swrong?”Li
braandAdaasked.Bayolookedangr
y,whi
leLef
tyl
ookedpens
ive.
Mor
ayo
wasnotl
eftouteit
her,
shewassobbingquietl
y.

*****

“Fairenough!VerythoughtfulofyouLeftytohavepi c kedsomet hi
ngfrommyadvi se,butIhave
comeupwi t
hs omethi
ngel s
e. Ic
an‟tleaveMor ayopr egnantint hi
senvi
ronment
,s oifyouguys
agreeonkeepi ngthepregnancy,Morayoc anstayi nmyhous efortheei
ghtmonths,Iliveinasi
x
bedroomdupl ex,s
oMor ayoc antakeoneoft her ooms .Herfeedingwil
lbeonme, butLef t
yif
youwantt ober es
ponsibleforherupkeepnopr oblem. ”

Mor ayoc ouldn‟tbel

ievewhatshewasheari
ng.Hergr
eatestf
earwascarryi
ngthepregnancyin
thenei ghbourhoods hegrewupin.I
fthewomanwaswi l
li
ngtoaccommodat eherf
ort henext
eightmont hs,s
hewasmor et
hanwill
ingtohavethec
hil
dass heal
sodidn‟twantt
oc ommi t
abortion.

“
It
‟sf
inema!
”Mor
ayos
aidl
ooki
ngatAdaf
orherappr
oval
.Adanoddedi
nagr
eement
.

“I
fthat‟
sthecase,youhavetogooverther
eint
roduc
emet oyourf
ather
,wedon‟thavet
otel
l
hi
maboutt hepregnancy,Jus
ttellhi
m,Iamthewomanyouwanttostar
tworki
ngwi t
hasa
maid,whowillbepayingyoufi
ftythous
andnai
ramonthl
y.”

Mor
ayowi
pedhert
ear
sandj
umpeddownf
romt
hevehi
cler
aci
ngt
owar
dswher
eherf
atherwas
.

Adawasexc
itedf
orherf
riend,
bec
aus
enotonl
ywass
henott
ravel
li
ngabr
oadanyt
imes
oon,
but
shewasnotgoingtosi
nagai
nstGodbymurder
ingababy.Adawasal
sohappyhers
hamewas
abouttobecover
ed,I
fshest
art
edli
vingwi
thMadamLibra,noonewoul
dknowaboutt
he
pregnanc
y.

Ontheotherhand,Adasmi
ledis
appear
edwhent
het
houghtofnots
eei
ngherf
riendonadai
ly
bas
is.
flas
hedthroughhermind.

“
Ada,
youwi
llbef
ine!
”Adaenc
our
agedher
sel
f.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

Fromonetr
aptoanot
her
.MayGodneveral
lowyourenemi
est
obepl
ayi
ngyouar
oundl
ikebal
l
InJes
usName.
AMEN!

[
29/
06,
4:35pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART36

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Adio,
Mor ayo‟
sfat
herwelcomedt
henewdevelopmentes
pec
ial
lywhenhehear
dwhathi
s
daughterwouldbeear
ningonamonthl
ybasi
s.

“
Butc
anI
knowyourhous
e?”

“Sur
e,butIl
ivei
nPorthar
c ourt
.I onlycamet oseemyCous i
nandSist
er-i
n-Law,
that‟
swher eI
mether”Li
brasai
d.Shewant edt otakethemf arawayfromthei
rfamil
ys oshec
ouldpreyon
themwell.
Shewas n‟
tgoingtor ushherr ealgame;thati
sAda,s
hewant edhertobeawill
ing
game.

“
IfyouhaveanymeansofI
denti
fi
cat
ion,
Icanbookat
icketf
oryouaswel
l,s
oyouc
anknow
whereyourdaught
eri
sgoi
ng.”
“
Mef
li
ght
?Asi
naer
opl
ane?”Adi
oas
ked

“Yes
!“Li
brar
epl
ied“I
amgues
singt
hiswi
lbeyourf
irs
tti
me”

“Yes!Andmet oo”Morayor
epl
iedass
henot
icedhers
emi
drunkf
atherwasover
whel
medbyt
he
thoughtoft
ravell
ing.

Att
hatpoi
nt,
Libr
athoughtofs
eiz
ingt
hemomentt
olur
eint
her
est
.

Shehadonlyreveal
edhalfofherpl
anstoWisdomandOsas,
notonlywassheinteres
tedinAda,
butBayowouldbeagoods aleaswell
,al
soWisdomandOsasdi
dnotthinkofsell
ingtheli
ving
babyofLef
tyandMor ayo.Joi
nourWhatsAppandtel
egr
ampagef ormorestor
iesthrough
oheneomeon+233544142683.

Shecoul
dn‟tbl
amethemf
ort
hei
rignor
anc
e,onl
ytopShenani
gansknewaboutt
radi
ngbody
par
tsofnewborns
.

Herplanwass i
mpl
e,MakeMorayohavetheBaby,
taket
heBabyf
romt hemandsel
lofft
hebaby
atthes henani
ganmarket
.Shewouldli
etothemshehadgi
venupthebabyf
oradopti
on.Gi
ve
themt enMi l
li
onNai
raeachto

st
artthei
rli
ves
.Meanwhile,s
hewouldcarefull
yusetheeightmont
hst
olayt
hef
oundat
ionof
BayoandAdatrus
tingherenought
os el
ltheirdes
tini
estoher.

“
Orwoul
dyouguysal
sol
ovet
oknowmyhous
e,I
canbookar
etur
nti
cket

f
oryoual
l”Li
bras
aidt
oLef
ty,
BayoandAda.

Adaheavedasi
ghofrel
ief
,hersi
lentprayerhadj
ustbeenans
wer
ed,
shec
oul
dn‟
timagi
ne
her
sel
fnotknowingwhereherbestfr
iendwasgoing.
“Yes
!Iwoul
dlovet
ogo”Adas
aidi
nahur
ry

“Sameher
e”Lef
tys
aid

Bayoknewhehadnoc hoi
ce,
whereverLef
tywent,
hef ol
lowed,buthehadt oc
allinatt
heoff
ice
totel
lthemhissicknes
swasnotgett
inganybet
ter.Hehadtakenas i
ckleaveforadaytobe
withLeft
ythatday.

“
Gues
sIwi
llbec
omi
ngt
oo”

Li
bras
mil
edt
oher
sel
f…HerGameHunt
inghadj
usts
tar
ted.

****

Mor
ayos
ati
nthepl
anes
mil
ingt
oher
sel
f.
.

“As
tepatat
ime”s
hes
aidt
oher
sel
f

“Youar
esmi
li
ng,
that
‟sagoodt
hing”Lef
tys
aid

Li
brahadst
rategi
call
ychosent
heseats
.Whenbooki
ngtheti
cket
s,s
hechoosesi
xseat
sint
wos
;
SheandAdatogether
,whil
eMorayoandLef
tyt
ogether
.BayoandAdios
attoget
her.

“
Iams mil
ingbecaus
eI amtel
li
ngmysel
fthat
,thoughI
amnotonmywayt
otheUSAorUK,
Iam
s
til
lontheplanetosomewhereel
se”

“Sameher
e,butdon‟
tlos
ehope,
wewi
lls
til
lboar
dthatpl
aneout
sidet
hec
ount
ry”Lef
tys
aid

“Amen!
”Mor
ayos
aid
Lef
tyr
etur
nedt
hes
mil
e

“
Youar
eaChr
ist
ian,
right
?”Mor
ayoas
ked

“Yes
!ButI
can‟
tsayI
havebeenver
yfai
thf
ul”

“Sameher
e”

“Thet
hingsoft
hiswor
ldc
anmakeyoudr
iftawayf
romGod.
”Lef
tys
aid.

Hehadbeentoldbyhi
sMotherthathewasamir
ac ul
ouschi
ld.
Heknewhewasmeanttobea
fr
iendofGod,
butafewfal
lsher
eandt her
ehadseparat
edhimfomGod.
HewasonlyaChri
sti
an
byname.

“
Ithi
nkasChr
ist
ians
,wes
houl
das
kforGod‟
sfor
givenes
stoget
her
.”
Mor
ayoSugges
ted.

Lef
tyl
ookedatMor
ayo.
Shewasr
ight
…Heas
kedf
orherhandands
ilent
lyt
heypr
ayed…

“Fat
her,
weknowwehaves
inned,
for
giveusandbr
ingbeaut
youtofouras
hesi
nJes
usName.
”
Morayosai
d

****

“Whataretheydoi
ng?”Libr
asai
doutloudwithoutbei
ngc ons
cious
.Adawhohadbeenl
ostinher
ownwor l
dlookedtowardwhoMadamLi br
awasr efer
ringto.
Shewasshockedt
oseeMorayo
andLeft
ypr ayi
ngt
ogether.I
twasabeauti
fulsi
ghttobehold.
“
Maybet
heywer
eas
kingf
orf
orgi
venes
s.I
fthat
‟si
t,i
tisabeaut
if
ulone”

Libradidn‟twantthat,thereasonshepeer
edthemupwast omakethemcont
inuetheactof
fornic
ation,notprayi
ngt oget
her.Sheknewthatwasdanger
ousf
orher.
Ift
heydrewclos
erto
God, i
tmi ghtdis
ruptallherplans…

“
Idon‟
tli
ket
hat
!”Li
bras
aidagai
n.Shehadaweaknes
sofs
peaki
ngoutabs
ent
mindedl
y

“
Youdon‟
tli
ket
hei
rpr
ayi
ngt
oget
her
”

“
Idon‟
tli
kethemdoingany
thi
ngtoget
her,
Ada,thembei
ngclosewil
lmaket
hemgobacki
nto
t
heactoffor
nic
ati
on.Pl
eas
efort
hedaysyouguyswil
lbest
aying,pl
eas
ebeonthewat
ch”

“Hmm…”Adatookt
hati
n.Shewasgoi
ngt
oens
uret
hatt
hist
imear
ound,
shewoul
dnotl
eave
Morayo‟
ssi
de.

*****

TheFourthoughtWisdomandOsas
‟shousewasbeauti
ful,butseei
ngwhereLi
brabroughtthem
to,
theycouldtel
lLibrahadmor
emoneythanthecoupl
e. Unknowntothem,t
hiswasanother
Shenani
ganprojecthome.

BackinLagos,
Librahadmadetheneces
sarycal
lsf
orthepl
acetobeputinor
der.
Thatparti
cul
ar
projec
thousewasusedforhi
ghprof
il
ejobsandonlyMadamEvelyn,
Libr
aandfewagentshad
accesstot
heplace.

“
Aunt
y,whi
chwor
kdoyoudo,
thathasgi
venyout
hisbi
gmoney?”Adi
oas
ked

“MyMot
herhasanOi
lBl
ock”Li
bras
aid

“
OilBl
ock?Whati
sthat
?”Adi
oas
kedandj
ustbef
oreLi
brac
oul
dans
wer
,Adaf
il
ledi
n
“AnOi
lbl
ocki
sapl
acewi
thanabundanc
eofoi
lpoc
ket
scal
ledoi
lwel
lst
hatc
ont
ainc
rudeoi
l”

“OH!
”Adi
osai
d

“Wow!
”Li
brawasbl
ownaway.
Nowonders
hehads
omuc
hgl
ory

“Ni
ceeee”Bayos
aid

“I
readal
ot!
”Adas
aidt
ryi
ngt
oli
ght
ent
heat
mos
pher
e

“Myfri
endi
sabr
ainy,
ifl
if
ewasf
air
,sheoughtt
obes
tudyi
ngabr
oad,
shehast
hebr
ainofa
geni
us”

“
Real
ly?Youdon‟
tsay”Li
bras
aidl
ooki
ngl
ikes
hehadj
ustwonaj
ackpot
.

Shehadt
okeept
hisgi
rlc
los
eby,
shemus
tnotl
etherr
etur
n.

Tobec
ont
inued…

[
29/
06,
4:36pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART37

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Thenextthreedayswasthemostexci
ti
ngdaysoft
hel
ivesoft
hef
ivewhohadc
omewi
thLi
bra.
Li
bratookthemout ,
showedthemlove.

Adi
oconst
antl
ythankedLi
braf
orcomingint
otheirli
vesandat
tri
but
ingi
ttohi
swife‟
sgoodwil
l
whi
leshewasali
ve.Adi
owassotakenawaybyLibra‟
sbenevol
encet
hatt
henightbef
orethey
wer
esc
hedul
edt
oleave,
hehadas
kedt
ospeakt
oherpr
ivat
elywi
thMor
ayo.

Li
brahadgr
ant
edt
hemaudi
enc
eint
hegar
den.

“MadamLi bra,Godbl
essyousomuch.Iknowyouar eananswertomys i
lentpr
ayers
.Aftermy
wifedied,Idi
ed.Iwentdeepi
ntodri
nkingjus
ttoforgetmysorr
ows .
I havenotfel
tashappyasI
havefelti
nt hepastt
hreedaysinal
ongt i
me.Ihavebeensoberforthreedaysandthismademe
seeclearl
ywhatmydaught ercanbeinyourhands.
Madam, atthi
spoint,I

wanttoof
fic
ial
lygiveyoumydaughter
,whetherli
vingordeadshei
sallyour
s.Shei
snowyour
daught
er.
What everyouchoos
etodowithher,youarefr
ee.“Adi
osai
dinnocentl
yasafat
her
.

Li
brasatbac
ki ntoherc
hairwit
hal i
ttl
ebuts
ads
mil
e.Di
dthi
sfat
herknowwhathehadj
ust
done.
Hehadj ustsol
dhisdaughtert
oher.

Ter
ribl
ethi
ngspar
ent
sdoi
gnor
ant
ly.
Libr
aatt
hatmomenti
ndul
gedher
sel
finhers
ad

thought
s.Asboomingasherbus
ines
swas ,
somet
imess
hewi
sheds
hec
oul
djus
twal
koutof
whathermotherhadentrenc
hedherint
o.

Sher
emember
edhowatf
irs
tshedi
dn‟
tli
kes
educ
ingboysi
npr
imar
ysc
hoolasear
lyas7

year
sold,butwhenevers
hec
amehomes
ayi
ngs
hec
oul
dnotdoi
t,hermot
herwoul
dsc
ream
madlyather.

“Whati
ssodi
ff
icul
tinwhatI
amas
kingyout
odo?”MadamEvel
ynwoul
dsc
ream

“
MyAunt
ysai
diti
swr
ong,
”Li
brar
emember
edhows
hewoul
dal
wayst
ellhermot
her
.

Theironi
calthi
ngabouthermotherwasthat
,hermotherhadenrol
ledheri
naprivat
eChr
ist
ian
schoolwhereshewastaughtmorals
,soi
twasveryconfl
ict
ingf
orLibra‟
syoungmind.

Hermumwast
ell
ingher“
Kis
sboysandt
ouc
hthei
rPeni
s,Touc
hthePeni
ssowel
lthatwhen
s
omet
hingl
iqui
dcomesout
,cl
eani
twi
tht
his

handker
chi
ef,
andwhenyoubr
ingi
thome,
Iwi
llgety
ouI
cec
ream”
.

Ont
heot
herhand,
Libr
a‟st
eac
her
sins
choolwoul
dsay…

“
Don’
ttouchanyone’
sgenit
als,
iti
sas i
nagains
tGodandagai
nstt
hei
rbody.
Bypl
ayi
ngwi
th
t
hei
rgenit
alsyouarebecomingafri
endofthedevi
l”
.

Li
brahadbeenc onfus
ed,butthedays hetri
edtotri
ckhermot herwast
hedays heevent
ual
ly
gavein.
Libraasayoungchil
dr eal
izedthattheli
quidfromtheboyswheneveri
tdri
edoutonthe
handkerc
hiefhadthesimi
lari
tywithwhi t
epostercolour.

Onedays
het
ric
kedhermot
herbyput
tings
omewhi
tepos
terc
oloront
hehandker
chi
ef.

Ongett
ingbac
khome,
themomenthermot
her
‟shandt
ouc
hedt
hehandker
chi
ef,
she
sai
d“Whati
sthis
?”

Li
brar
emember
eds
haki
ngl
ikeaj
ell
y.

“Idi
dnotsendyoutot
hatexpensi
veprivateChri
sti
ans chooltobeunproduc
tivef
orme.Isent
youtotheChri
sti
ansc
hool,
becauseIknowal otofglori
esar ether
e,al
lIamdoingisf
oryou.
Coll
ectthegl
ori
esoft
heseboysandIwi l
lbeusingitforyouandmys el
f”

Li
brar
emember
edhowhermot
herhadbeat
enhers
ill
ythatni
ght
,ti
lls
heal
mos
tpas
sedout
.

Hermot
herhadgi
venpai
nrel
iever
sands
omef
oodbef
oret
ell
inghert
ogot
obed.

Li
brarememberedhowshehadc
riedal
lni
ghtandasagoodc
hil
dshewentt
ohermot
heri
nthe
ear
lyhoursoft
hemorni
ng..

“
Mummy,
Iwi
lldoi
t”Shehads
aidoutl
oudwhi
les
tandi
ngbyt
hedoor
.

“
Comemyc
hil
d”MadamEvel
yns
aid

Li
ttl
eLibr
ahadwalkedtohermot
her
‟sbed,
andf
ort
hef
irs
tti
met
oldheras
tor
ythatet
cheda
pl
aceinherhear
tfor
ever.
As
tor
ythatbec
ameamot
ivat
ionf
orher
.

ASt
oryaboutherownFat
her
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:46pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART38

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Evel
ynandDebolahadbeenteenagesweethear
ts,
theyhads
tarteddat
ingasear
lyast
heageof
16andtheyknewwithoutanydoubtt
hattheywouldgetmar
ried.

Bytheti
met heywerebot h25yearsofaget heygotmar r
ied.Evel ynatthatti
mewasat rai
neeat
adrugstore,
whileDebolawasaCar penter.
Theywer enotr i
ch, butitwasn‟taproblems i
ncei
t
wasjus
tt hetwoofthem.Theyfoundawayofeat ingduri
ngt hedayandwhent heyreti
redat
ni
ght,t
heywoul dbotheatbreadandl oosetea.Theyatewhat evert heyhadinlove.

Agreatunexpectedwi
ndc amerus
hingatthem,itwasawindofc
hange.Itoughttobeagood
wind,
buttheirfi
nanci
alst
atusmadeitacurse.
Evelynbec
amepregnantoftwins.
Notonlydi
d
t
heyhavet ofeedanextr
amouth,

butt
wo…

Theykeptencouragingthemsel
vesthroughoutthepregnanc
ythati
twasn‟
tabigdealandthey
wouldsurvi
ve.Evelyntr
us t
edthatpeoplewoul
ds upportt
hemwithcas
haft
erthewedding.

Thi
ngsdi dn‟tgoasexpec
tedast
hefir
stpr
oblemt heyhadwast
hefactthatEvelynwastol
dher
pel
viswast oosmallt
obirt
hthebabi
esnat
urall
y,andthatt
heyhadtocarryoutanemergency
C_sect
ion.
Evel
ynandherhus bandhadtoreachouttoeveryonetheyknew,theseweret
hepeoplet
hey
wereexpec
tingtogetmoneyf r
omaf t
erthebirt
hoft hebabi
es,butheret
heywerealr
eady
aski
ngthemf ort
hemoneyf orthe

del
iver
yoft
hebabi
es.

Theywereabl
etogathert
heSumofSevent
yFivethous
andfort
heoperati
on.Themoneyt
hat
theywoul
dhaveli
vedonfort
hemini
mumoft hreemonthsj
ustwentoutofthei
rhands
.

Whent hetwi
nsarrived,Evelyn‟
sbr
eastwer
enotl
act
at i
ng,herbr
eas
twasdry.Thebabi
eswer
e
cryi
ngroundtheclock.Evelynwasadvi
sedt
ost
artgi
vingthemBabyfor
mular.
Thatwasthe
beginni
ngofthei
rjourneyin

debt
s.

Debolaworkedhi
mselfsor
e,butthemoneyhemadewasnotenought
oset
tlet
hei
rdebt
sand
feedon.
DebolahadwokenEvelynoneni
ghtandpr
opos
edsomet hi
ngt
oher…

“
Evel
yn,
ther
ateatwhi
chwear
egoi
ng,
weal
lmaydi
e,t
hat
‟swhyI
havet
houghtofawayout
.”

“
Whatwayout
?”

“
Letuss
elloneofourbabi
es,
andweus
ethemoneyt
otakec
areofour
sel
ves
..
”

Evel
ynwasdumbstruc
k,shecoul
dn‟
tbeli
evewhatj
ustpour
edoutofherhus
band‟
smout
h,but
asshewasaboutt
olashoutangr
ywordsathi
m,hespoke…

“Youknowwhat ,
nevermi nd,
iti
sast
upi
didea,
Iams
orr
yI broughtitup,
Ijus
tthoughti
tmade
sensef
orustoselloneofthebabi
est
oawomanwhodoesn‟thave,buthasmoneytogive.
But
fromyoureyes
,Icantel
litisa

wr
ongi
dea…l
et‟
ssl
eep.
”
Evelynhadstoodupt
oc hec
konthebabies,
herbabi
eswerebeauti
fulandpl
umpy.
TheBaby
for
mul armadethemgrows of
ast
.Sheretur
nedtothebedandlai
dherhandonherhus
band‟
s
chest.

“
Debola,wewillbef
ine…I
tisaphas
eandi
twi
llpas
s…”Evel
yns
aidbuts
hegotas
nor
ing
r
esponse.Sheknewitwasfake.

Forthenexttwoweeks,
Evelynhadbeenver
ypr
otec
tiveoft
heBabi
es,
shehadt
hismot
her
ly
ins
tinc
ttoprotec
tthemfromtheirf
ather
.

“Whatist
hemeani
ngofthis?”Debol
ahadsai
doneeveni
ngonret
urni
ngfr
omhi
swor
kshop.
He
hadtri
edcar
ryi
ngoneofthebabies,
butEvel
ynhadst
yli
shl
ybl
ockedhi
m.

“I
don‟
ttr
ustyou”Evel
ynhads
aid

“Youdon‟
ttr
ustme?”

“
Yes,Ifeelt
hebabiesar
enots
afewhenyouar
ear
ound,
ands
omedaywhenI
amnotl
ooki
ng,
you
wil
ltakethebabi
esaway”

“
Then,i
t‟
sbetterIst
ayawaysinceyoudon‟tt
rus
tmeanymor
e.Yout
hinkI
amt
hedevi
lnow,
all
f
orthi
nkingabouthowtotakecareofyou.

Evel
yn,
anythi
ngIdoi
sfir
stl
yforyou,
Ilovedyouf
irs
t,t
heki
dsar
esec
ondar
y.YouandI
have
comealongway,
andIseehowyouhavenot

beenfeedingwell,
ins
teadever
ymoneythatcomesi
ntoyourhands
,youspenditonfeedi
ngthe
babies
.Iams orr
y,Ibr
oughtupthei
deaofsel
li
ngoneofthebabi
es,Iwasj
ustdesper
atetotake
careofyou…I amsorr
y..
”

Debol
abr
okedowni
ntear
s
Evel
ynknewherhusbandl
ovedher
,butherchi
ldr
enwer
eimpor
tantt
oher
.Shedr
oppedher
babyandmovedcl
osetoDebol
awipi
nghistear
s..

“Debol
a,t
hiswi
llpas
sbel
ieveme!
”Evel
yns
aid

Threeweeksafterthati
nci
dent,Evel
ynst
art
edlosingherguar
daroundherhus
band,and
Debolasawit.
Oneday, hebroughtbackc
hil
ledyoghurtbac
kfromhisworks
hop,c
lai
minga
cl
ientboughti
tf orhi
m.Hethoughthe

s
houl
dbr
ingi
thomef
orbot
hoft
hemt
odr
ink.

Evel
ynhadanuneas
yfeel
ingabouti
t,s
oshes
aid…

“Wehavet
odr
inki
ttoget
her
”

“Obvi
ousl
y,youwantt
odr
inki
tal
one?”Debol
asai
dlaughi
ng.
“Letmegett
hec
upsf
romt
he
Kit
chen.
”

Debolahadret
urnedwit
htwoglas
scups,
hepour
edtheyoghurti
ntothet
woc
upsandbef
ore
Evel
ync oul
dpickt
hecuptodr
inkfr
om,hegul
peddownhisyoghurt

“Li
fei
ssweetoo,
“Debol
asai
d.

Evel
yndec
idedt
otr
ustherhus
band,
sheal
sogul
peddownt
heyoghur
t…

“Thi
siss
weetooo”Evel
ynt
est
if
iedt
othes
weet
nes
soft
heyoghur
t.

“Ihear
dwomenwhoj us
tgavebir
thoughttodr
inkthi
sregular
ly,
Iams orry,
I havenotbeenabl
e
tobuyitf
oryous
inc
eyouhadt hebabi
es,s
oonIknowI wi
llhavethatbreak.Thatremindsme,I
needtogoseemyfr
iend
Lanre,
hes
aidhewantst
odisc
usssomet
hingi
mport
antwi
thme,
Ihopei
thasnot
hingt
odowi
th
hisnewwi
fe.Onl
yGodknowswhatthei
ssuei
s…”

Evel
ync
oul
dhearDebol
a‟svoi
cef
adi
ngaway,
sheknews
hehadbeendr
ugged.

“Evel
yn..Evel
yn.
.“Debol
acal
ledouthername,
shec
oul
dnotr
espondbutc
oul
dseehi
sfac
e
vaguely

“
Pleas
e..
pleas
e.Debooool
aaaa”Evel
ynmut
ter
edi
nbet
weenhers
leep

“Iamsorr
ymylove,Iamdoingthi
sforus
.Thec
hil
dwi
llevenhaveabet
terl
if
e.Thewomani
s
veryr
ich,
sos
hewi l
ltakecareoft
hehim.”

AsEvel
ynf
adedof
f,hert
ear
sdr
opped.
Debol
awasaboutt
osel
lthei
rmal
echi
ld.

*****

Evel
ync amearoundaft
eraboutei
ghthours,whi
chwasaround2am,Debol
awasseat
edont he
chai
rbes i
dethebed.
Thec r
yofhersecondbabywokeherup,t
houghshest
ruggl
edtogetup,
butrec
ol l
ect
ionofwhathadhappenedearl
iermadehereyesc
lears
uddenl
y…

“
Wher
eismybaby?”Sheas
ked

Debol
awasc
arr
yingt
hec
ryi
ngbabyandt
ryi
ngt
opac
ifyher
..

Evel
yns
toodup,
sher
ushedt
othec
ott
ochec
kift
hebabyboywast
her
e…

“
Debola,
wherei
smyBaby?”Shes
aidbr
oken,
shedi
dn‟
thavet
hes
trengt
htof
ight
,shej
ust
want
edherBaby…
Debol
adr
oppedt
hes
econdbabyont
hebed,
anddr
aggedabagc
los
etoEvel
yn.

Evel
yncouldgues
swhatwasi
nsi
de,butshedidn‟
twantit
,Shewant
edherbaby.
WhenDebola
noti
cedshewasn‟
tpl
anni
ngtoopenthebag,hebentdownononekneeandzi
ppedopenedt
he
bag.
.

“
Evel
yn,
thi
sis2.
5Mi
ll
ion,
it‟
senoughf
orust
ost
artanewl
if
e”

Evel
ynbrokedown,
herheartt
orni
nami l
li
onpi
eces
…Shewepts
orel
y,s
hec
over
edhermout
h
notwant
ingthenei
ghbour
stoearherc
ry…

Debol
amovedcl
oser,Evel
ynt
riedt
opus
hhi
mawayf
romher
,buts
hel
ostt
hes
trengt
htodoi
t.
Debol
acuddl
edher…

“
Evel
yn,
Idi
dthi
sforyou,
wewi
llhaveot
herc
hil
dren…Wewi
ll
"

Evel
ynandt
hebaby‟
scr
yfi
ll
edt
her
oom….

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:47pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART39

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Twoyearslater
,themoneyhadfini
shed,
theyc
oul dn‟tsayhowt hemoneyfl
ewfromthei
rhands
.
DebolahadgivenEvel
yn1mi l
li
ontostar
tabusiness,buthershopwhereshewassel
li
ngfroz
en
foodsburneddowntothegroundinadayandshel os
therc api
talandwaseveni
ndebt.

Debol
aont
heot
herhandpumpedmoneyi
ntohi
sCar
pent
rybus
ines
s,butnoonewas
patr
onizi
ngandt
hos
ewhopat
roni
zedr
etur
nedhi
swor
ksbac
ktohi
m,duet
oonec
ompl
aintor
theother
.

Evel
yns
tar
tedt
ofal
lil
lsuddenl
y,s
oal
sowasherf
emal
echi
ld,
Labake.

Debol
awasl
essc
onc
erned,
hewoul
dgoouti
nthemor
ningandr
etur
nver
ylat
eatni
ght
.

Oneday,afr
iendofEvel
ync
amevisi
tingsoast
ochec
konherheal
thbutonget
tingi
n,t
hes
mel
l
thatembr
acedherwasthesmel
lofdeath…

“J
esus!Evel
yn…whyist
hispl
aces
mel
li
ngl
iket
his
?“Sades
aid.
Sher
ushedt
othewi
ndowsand
openedthecur
tai
ns…

“
MyGod, getupnow,
wear
egoi
ngt
othehos
pit
al…Evel
yn,
youwantt
odi
eint
hishous
e?Wher
e
i
syourhusband?‟

“
Hehasgonet
ohi
swor
kshop”Evel
ynhads
aidweakl
y

“Ok,
Dres
sup,
wewi
lls
topbyhi
swor
kshopont
hewayt
othehos
pit
al”

*****

“WhatdoyoumeanIs
houldmindmybusines
s?”Sadeaskedi
ndisbel
ief
,whenDebol
aas
ked
Evel
yntoali
ghtf
romtheTaxi
thatwast
akingthemtothecli
nic
.

“
Sheismywif
eandI knowhowt
otakec
areofher
,goandgetmar
rieds
oyouc
anhaveaf
ami
ly
t
otakecar
eof”Debolasai
d
Evel
ync
oul
dseet
heywer
eat
trac
tingal
otofonl
ooker
s,s
oshec
aref
ull
ywhi
sper
edt
oherf
riend

“
Pleasego,
Ithi
nkI
knowwhati
shappeni
ng,
Iwi
llc
omet
oyourhous
etomor
row”Evel
yn
whisper
ed

Evel
yndidn‟tt
rus
therhus
bandanymoreaf
terhes
oldt
hei
rbaby,
andj
udgi
ngbywhats
hej
ust
saw,Debol
awasuptosomethi
ngagai
n.

******

“Yourhus
bandhasus edyouformoneyr
ituals,
youweredr
ained.That‟
swhyyouf eelt
iredand
weak.I
nothert
ohidehi sevi
lwork,
hedi
dn‟ tdothet
ypeofri
tualthatwil
lhaveyoukil
led,butI
can‟
tsaysameforyourdaughter
.”

“
Mydaught
er?Whatdi
dhedot
oher
?”

“
Samet
hing,
buts
hewi
lldi
eul
ti
mat
ely.
”TheRedgar
mentpr
ies
tsai
d

Sadehadtakenhertooneofherpri
est
s.Sadewasahai
rst
yli
stwhosebusinesswasboomi
ng,
Evel
ynknews hehadaSpir
itualbac
kup,s
osheknewSadewouldgetherhelp.

“Sade,
Iamdead!
”

“Nevermyf ri
end,youcan‟
tdi
e,whenI
amalive.
Don‟tworry,Debol
awi l
lcar
ryhisloadby
himsel
f.Prophet
,pleas
ewhatcanwedo?Canshegetbackallhervi
rtuesandthatofher
daughter
?”

“No…,
butwec
anc
oll
ectf
romot
her
stof
il
lherup.
.
”thepr
ies
tans
wer
ed

Evel
yndi
dnotl
iket
hatanswer
,shecoul
dsens
ethatwasnottheri
ghts
olut
ion.
SheBel
ievedt
he
Godoft
hewhol
eearthcoul
dgetbac
kherglor
yfr
omherhus band.
“Whenyoumean,wec
anc
oll
ectf
romot
her
s,meani
ngI
wil
lbedoi
ngexac
tlywhatmyhus
band
did?”Evel
ynas
ked

“Yesmyf ri
end,thisishowlifewor ks
,youhavebeenempt iedbyyourhus band,andhehasus ed
i
tup, t
hepr i
estsaysyouc an‟trecoveri
t ,
soyouwantt ol i
veyourlifeempty?Mydear ,your
husbandwasf asterthatyou,ifIhadknowhehadt hisuphi ssl
eeves,Iwouldhavebroughtyou
hereandwewoul dhavet akenhisgloryforyou…Mydear ,youwantt oknowt hesecr
etofmy
success,
someoft hehai rofmyc li
ents,Ibri
ngithere.Thepr i
estusesitf
ormet ocreategood
luckcharms.Lif
ei saboutusingpeople.”SadetheHairstyl
istsai
d

Evel
ynknews
hehadnoc
hoi
ce…

“SowhatamI
todo?”

“Fi
rst
,youhavetotakeadel
iveranc
ebathbyther
iverforyouandyourbabyinabi
gbath,t
he
waterfromyourbath,
youwillt
akeithomeanduseiti
npr epar
ingadel
ici
ousmealf
oryour
husband.”

“Whatwi
llt
hatdot
ohi
m?‟Evel
ynas
ked

“Al
lthes
icknes
seshepr
ojec
tedi
ntoyourl
if
eandt
hedeat
hyourc
hil
doughtt
odi
e,wi
llgobac
k
onhi
shead.”

Evel
ynbowedherheadi
npai
n,

“Debol
a,whydi
dyoudot
hist
ous
?”

Evel
ynagr
eedt
otaket
hebat
himmedi
atel
yforher
sel
fandt
hebaby.
Shedi
dn‟
twantanydel
ay.
Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:47pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART40

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Evel
yndidsi
mi l
arlywhatherhusbandhaddonetoher,s
hehadprepar
edherowndi
shbefor
e
herhus
bandc amebac k,
atepartofi
tleavi
ngsomelef
toversonherpl
ate,
themoments
hes aw
himcoming,
sher ushedbacktoherfood,l
ikes
hewasjusteat
ing.

Debol
awal
kedi
n,s
hoc
kedt
oseehi
swi
feeat
ing.

“Haha!
,whathappened,
youc
oul
dnotwai
tforme?”Debol
asai
d

“Debol
a,hungerwant
edt
oki
llmebef
oreevendeat
hcame”Evel
yns
aid

“Wher
eismi
ne?”

“I
t‟
sonl
ysmal
lthati
slef
t”

“J
ustbr
ingi
t.
”

Debol
asatwi
tht
hef
oodandat
etohi
sful
les
t.

Evel
ynwat
chedhowhec
rawl
edt
ohi
sbedands
leptof
f.

Evel
ync
oul
dn‟
tsl
eepal
lni
ght
,shekeptc
hec
kingDebol
atobes
urehewass
til
lbr
eat
hing.
Debolawokeupthenextmor ni
ng,
sayi
nghehadsomewher
eheneededtogett
o.Hesaidhe
wasn‟tf
eeli
ngtoogood.Ins
tinc
tst
oldEvel
ynhewasgoi
ngtowher
everhedidt
hecharm,Evel
yn
wait
edforhimtoleave.

Hur
riedl
y,s
hepac
keds
omeofhert
hingsandl
eftwi
thherBaby.

*****

“Youarever
ys mart
…Yourhusbandwentt
ohi
sher
bal
ist
,butI
cant
ellyouhewi
lldi
eonhi
sway
back.
”ThePries
tsai
dbol
dly.

“
Heshoul
ddi
e,andl
etmehavemypeac
e…”Evel
ynf
inal
lyagr
eedwi
thi
nher
sel
fthatDebol
ahad
t
odi
e.

“Pr
ies
t,t
eac
hmehowt
ocol
lec
tpeopl
e‟sgl
oryf
ormys
elf
”

*****

“Trul
y,yourfatherdiedthatdayonhiswaybackandamongs
tthethingt
hatwasf
oundinhi
s
pocketwasac harm. However,peopl
ebel
ievedthec
harmwastohelpmeoutofmysi
ckness
.Hi
s
famil
ydidn‟twantt oseeme

anymore.Theyaccus
edmeofmaki ngmyhus
banddiebec
aus
eofmysicknes
s.I
coul
dn‟
ttel
lthe
tr
uestory.Idec
idedtor
eloc
ate,
leavemypar
entsandmyinl
awsbehi
nd.

Thepri
esttaughtmethesever
alwaysofcol
lect
ingpeopl
e‟sgl
oryandus
ingitf
orus,
par
tof
whic
hist hr
oughthesemenofboys;t
hatli
quidthi
ngyougetfr
omboys”Libr
aremember
edher
mothertell
ingherwhenshewasli
ttl
e..

“Whoi
sLabake?”Li
ttl
eLi
brahadas
ked
“You.
.Ic
hangedyournamewhenwer
eloc
ated.
Itwasyourf
athert
hatgave

yout
heYor
ubaname,
soI
changedi
ttoanEngl
ishnamel
ikemi
ne”

“I
haveat
winbr
other
?”

„
Yes
,butI
don‟
tknowwhoyourf
athers
oldhi
mto”

“Daddywasawi
ckedman!
”

“Notj
ustdaddy,Mostpeoplear
everywic
ked,andthat
‟swhyIwantyoutoal
waysc
ollec
twhat
bel
ongstoother
sbeforetheycol
lec
tyours.
Yourfat
herempti
edyou,sof
oryout
oenjoyli
fe,
you
mustl
iveonotherpeople‟
s

f
ort
une.
”

*****

“MadamLi
bra!
”Adi
o‟svoi
cec
all
ingherbac
kfr
omhert
hought
fulj
our
ney.

“Iams or
rys
ir,I
wasjus
tlos
tint
hought
.Youmademer
emembermymot
her
,theways
he
pushedmeintosuc
cess
”

“Oh!
,that
‟swhatgoodpar
ent
sdo”

“Yes,goodparentspus
ht hei
rc hi
ldrentogoodt hings
,Whil
ebadparent
spushtheirchil
dreni
nto
badthings”thegoodsideofLibramadet hats
tatementhopi
ngAdiowouldt
akeac ueand
probablyinves
tigat
ehers pi
ri
tually,butnohewasabadpar entbec
ausehesi
mpl ysaid.
.

“Yes
,youar
esor
ight
.”
Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:48pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART41

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

THENextmorni
ngt
hegroupl
eft
,butj
ustbef
oretheydi
d,Lef
typul
ledMor
ayoas
ide,
Adawas
aboutt
ofol
lowMor
ayo,
butMorayost
oppedher.
.

“
Ada,
Igott
his
.”

Mor
ayowal
kedupt
oLef
ty…

“Honest
ly,thepastthr
eedaysofmyl if
ehasbeengreatdespi
t enothavngwhatI want ed
ori
ginal
ly,butIamhopingt hatGodwills
til
lwor
kthingsoutforme.Iwisht hi
spregnancywas
notthere,Iwouldhavelovedtodateyouproper
ly.
Not wi
thst
anding,Iwil
ltrytocallyoufrom
ti
met otimethroughMadamLi br
a‟sphoneandpossi
blywhenI st
artworking,Ic
anbuyyoua
phone.”

“Thankyou…Lef
typl
easeinyourbi
dtomakemoney,
don‟
tdoanyt
hingyourf
utur
ewon‟
tbe
proudof
,youknowsoon,yournamewil
lbea

hous
ehol
dname.
Wewon‟
twantas
candalf
romyourpas
tdes
troyi
ngyourf
utur
e”

Lef
tywasmovedbyMor
ayo‟
swor
ds…

“Thankyou,
sodon‟
tfor
getmyof
fer
,WhenI
amver
yri
ch,
Iwoul
dlovet
omar
ryyou”Lef
tys
aid
laughi
ng.

Mor
ayonoddeds
hyl
y.
*****

Li
brawalkedi
ntothel
ivi
ngroom,shewas
n‟tpl
anni
ngonfol
lowi
ngt
hemt otheai
rpor
t.Li
bra
beckonedonAda,
BayoandLeft
y.Shepur
posel
ylef
tAdi
ooutoft
heconver
sati
on.

“Al
ri
ghtguys
,hopet
oseei
nei
ghtmont
hst
ime,
whenourbabyc
omes
”Li
bras
aid

Adal
ookedatMorayoandcouldn‟
tbeli
eve,
shewouldnots
eeherf
riendf
oranot
her8mont
hs.
Adar
ushedtowar
dsMor ayoandhuggedherti
ght
ly…

“I
don‟
twantt
oleaveyou”

“Met
oo,
butI
wil
lbef
ine”Mor
ayoas
sur
edher
…“Youhavet
ogetbac
ktoyourl
if
e”

“Theyhavebeenf
riendss
inc
echi
ldhood”Adi
osai
dst
il
lnothavi
ngac
lueabouthi
sdaught
er‟
s
pregnanc
y.

“Ada,shewil
lbefi
ne!Youcanal
wayscheckuponher,
youcancallmeoryouknowwhat,
I wi
ll
getheraphonetoday,
soyoucanbot
hc ommunic
atewi
theachother
.”Li
bras
aidandt
hatsame
i
nstantMorayoandLeft
yshar
ed

aknowi
ngl
ook.

“
Thankyouma!
”Adas
aidf
eel
ingr
eli
eved.

“
Wet
hankGod!
”

Astheywalkedtothecar
,Left
ysl
ippedapiec
eofpaperwit
hhisphonenumberi
ntoMor
ayo‟
s
pal
m. Li
bracaughtsi
ghtofi
tbutquic
klyt
ookhereyesof
fthem.
Shewonder
edwhatt
hepi
eceofpaperc
ont
ained…“PhoneNumber
!‟Shei
magi
ned…

Ther
eas
ons
hewant
edt
ogetaphonef
orMor
ayowasf
orMor
ayot
obea

baiti
nbringingAdat othehouse.Shehadapl ant hatwouldlureAdabac ktothathouseinless
thantwomont hs,butLeftywasnotpar toftheplanofwhys hewasabouttogett hephone.Joi
n
ourWhats Appandt el
egrampagef ormor estori
esthroughIs hmaelon+233544142683.Herplan
wastomakeLef t
yandBayoj oi
naf akeCars ell
ingbusiness,
s hewantedtoint
roducethemt othe
wrongcrowd. Getthemdeepi ndrugs,andlaterdepositsomef emaleagentsi
nt hei
rli
ves.She
wouldaskheragent stosendcli
psofhi mdrunkandwas ted.

Morayowoulds
eehowt err
ibl
eapersonhehadbecome,
andgivi
ngupthebabywoul
dbeeasier
onher,butt
heLoveydoveyat
mosphereshewasseei
ngaroundt
hem,wasnotpar
tofthepl
an.I
f
bot
hoft hemwereinuni
ty,

i
twoul
dbehar
dtot
aket
hec
hil
dfr
omt
hem.

“Lef
ty!
”Li
brac
all
edhi
m

“Yesma!
”

“Ami
nut
e!”

Lef
tywal
kedupt
oLi
bra.
.

“Woul
dyoul
iket
ogeti
ntoc
art
radi
ngbus
ines
s,I
haves
omemal
efr
iends

whobuyands
ellc
ars
,ifyouar
ehar
dwor
king,
youc
anmakes
omemi
ll
ionsi
ntheei
ghtmont
hs”

“Yesma.
.Iwoul
dlovet
hatma…ButI
don‟
thavec
api
talt
ost
artt
hat
…”
“
Iwil
lhelpyouwit
htwoofmyc arst
hatI wantt
osel
l,andI
willaskaboutthr
eeofmyfr
iends
whomaywantt osel
lthei
rcar
stogi
vet hemtoyou,
ifyousel
lfi
vecarsinamonth,
youshoul
d
makeenoughtobuyyourownfir
stcar
.”

Lef
typr
ost
rat
edont
hef
loor.

“Thankyouma!
”

“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Getup,
IamnotGod,
sodon‟
tpr
ost
rat
etome.
”

Theot
her
swal
kedupt
ohi
m,s
otheyc
oul
dfi
ndoutwhatwashappeni
ng.

“
Shegotmeaj
ob,
pleas
esayabi
gthankyout
oher
”

“Wher
e?”Mor
ayoas
ked

“Lagos
!”Li
braanswered,
shewantedhi
mf arawayf
romMor
ayo,
butyetunderher
.Sheneeded
tomakesomec al
lst
hemomentt heyl
eave…

“Yous
houl
dgetgoi
ng.
.Yourpl
anel
eavess
oon”

Li
brawal
kedupt
oAdi
o,s
hegi
veshi
msomemoneyi
nabul
kyenvel
ope.

“
Pleas
e,us
eitt
ost
artabus
ines
syourwi
fewi
llbepr
oudof
.”Li
bras
aid

Adi
olookedatt
hebulkyenvel
ope,
heal
soi
mit
atedLef
tybypr
ost
rat
ingont
hef
loorf
orLi
bra,
Li
brarus
hedtorai
sehimup.
“
Pleasedon‟
t,youar eonlyeat
ingfr
omyourdaughter‟
sFavour”Li
brasai
d,butAdi
oheardthos
e
wordsatsur
facelevel,i
fonlyheunderst
oodwhatLibr
awass ayi
ng.Al
lthemoneys hewas
spendi
ngonthem, isactual
lyfr
omt hem,shewoul
dgainbackallhermoneyfromthem…

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:49pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART42

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

TwoweeksintoLivingwit
hLibra,Morayowasbec omi
ngboredasLibr
awouldtravelons
hort
noti
ceandretur
nf ewdaysafter,s
omet i
mess hewoul
dgooutallday,ands
heonl yhadt
he
unfr
iendl
ychefands ec
urit
yinjthehouse.Theywerej
ustl
iketheonesatWisdomandOs as
‟
house.

Libr
ahadgivenheraphonewhic
hs hehadbeenusi
ngtocommunic
atewit
hAda,butthei
r
communicati
onwasalwaysatni
ghtwhenAdawaswi t
hhermother
.Li
brahadwarnedMorayo
nottocal
lLeft
yasshedidn‟
twanthergett
ingemoti
onal
lyi
nvol
vedwit
hhimagain…

“Youarejus
tsi
xteen,t
hatyouar
ewi t
hme,isGodj
ustshowingyouhisgoodnes
s,sous
et hat
goodnesswell
.ThedayIfi
ndoutyoucal
lhi
m, t
hat
‟sthedayIthrowyououtofthi
shouse.”Li
bra
saidf
irmly.
Ofallt
hesides

Mor
ayohads
eenofLi
bra,
thatwasas
trangeunf
ami
li
arone.

“Yesma!
”

“Havesomesense,gi
vebir
thtoyourchil
d,givehi
morherupt
os omeonewhocantakecar
eof
himorherwell
,thenyougetbac
kt oyourli
feandmakesomet
hinggoodoutofi
t,whoknows
youcangobacktoschool
”
Morayohadobeyedherfort
hepasttwoweeksr
esi
sti
ngt
heur
get
ocal
lLef
ty,
butatt
hatpoi
nt
shewasrunni
ngc r
azy,
shewantedtotal
kto

s
omeone.

Li
keanans
wert
oherhear
tcr
y,Li
bra‟
scardr
ovei
ntot
hec
ompound.

Mor
ayor
ushedt
othel
ivi
ngr
oomt
omeetupwi
thher
…

“I
amt ired!
..I
can”tdothisanymore,
it‟
sli
keIamchoki
ng,Ihavenoonet
otal
kto,Iamti
redof
watchingmovies…PleasecanIcal
lLeft
y,atl
eas
tIwil
lhavesomeonetot
alkt
o,whenyouare
notaround”Morayos ai
dsobbing.

“Lef
tyi
snotwhoyouneedt
otalkto,
Ihavegotyouwhatyouneed.
”Li
bras
aidbr
ingi
ngouta
brownenvel
opef
romherdesi
gnerbag…

“Youstar
tJAMBl essonsonMonday.Us et
hispregnantmont hswel
l.I
know,it‟
sgoi
ngt obehard,
whenyourpregnancys t
art
sshowingbutitdoesn‟tmatter.
Iwantyoutogetyourli
feback,by
theti
met hebabyisoutandgivenup,youwillbegett
ingintotheuni
vers
ity”

Mor
ayof
eltl
ikes
hehadbeent
akent
oheavenands
eenGodf
acet
ofac
e,

“Whoi
sthi
swoman?”s
heas
kedher
sel
f

“Oryoudon‟
twanti
t?”

“I
..
wan.
.
want
…it
”

“Good,youresumeonMonday,
Icant
ellyoubyt
het
imeyoumeetnewf
riends
,youwi
llf
orget
aboutLeft
y.”
“Okma.
.
”

“Andnoonehastoknowyourstor
y,thedri
verwillal
waysdropyouoffandpickyouupeveryday.
IamyourAuntyandyouwerer
aped. Ourf
amilydoesnotbel
ieveinaborti
on.
That‟swhatI
alr
eadyt
oldtheowneroft
heCoachingcenter
.Sos t
ickwi
ththatstor
y.”

“Yesma!Thankyouma,
Idon‟
tknowwhatI
didt
odes
ervet
his
…MayGodbl
ess
…

“Ifnotf
ordist
ance,
Iwouldhaveal
sol
ovedt
ohel
pyourf
riend,
espec
ial
lywi
thhows
mar
tshei
s.
“Libras
aidbefor
ewalki
ngaway.

*****

Left
yhads t
art
edr ol
li
ngwitht
hemenLi
brai
ntr
oducedherto,Witht
hei
rhelphehads
oldthree
outofthefi
vecar
sandhadmadeaprofi
tofNi
nehundredthousandNai
ra.
Theyhadausual
hangoutatasmallrest
aur
ant.

Whenevert
herewasacardeal,
f ourofthemwouldgomeetupthebuyersomewher
eopen.
Lef
tyl
ikedthemen‟
sbusines
ss kill
s,butheavoi
dedt
hei
rdrugsandal
cohol.

“Left
y,youwon‟tbepl
ayngf
ootbal
lforanot
herei
ghtmonths
,enj
oyyoursel
fnow.Myguy,l
ive
i
nt hemoment,nooneknowswhatcanhappentomorr
ow.Whoknowsifyouwilldi
etomor
row.”

“I
rej
ecti
t”Lef
tys
aid.

HeandBayohadnots eenindays.Themenhadadvisedheputupwit
ht hemont heI
slandfor
easymeetupwithc
lients.Bayohadnotbeenhappyaboutthemove,
buthedi dn‟
thaveac hoi
ce,
asLef
tywasbentonmaki ngmoneyf orhi
mself
.I
nsteadofbowi
ngtotheirdr
ugstempt at
ion,
Lef
tystoodup…

“I
needt
omakes
omec
all
s”Lef
tys
aid.
Hewal
kedawayf
romt
hem.
.

“Thi
sguyiss
trong”Justussai
d.HewasoneofLibra‟
sstaf
f.Libr
ausedhimingetti
nggamesi nt
o
drugsandal
coholis
m. Hioheneomeon+233544142683tobeaddedt oSt
oryheadquart
ersroom.
Hehasdoneal otofsucces
sfulj
obsus
ingdi
ffer
entcovers,someti
mesasHomel essont
eachers,
Mus i
c

Sc
out
s,e.
t.
c

“Yes
,hehel
dhi
sgr
oundt
hisl
ong”

“Hei
saf
oot
bal
ler
,Whatdoyouexpec
t?Di
sci
pli
nei
spar
tofwhatt
heyl
ear
n”

“Let
‟st
ryanews
trat
egy.
Iwi
lldi
scus
sitwi
thSHELi
braandgetbac
ktoyou“J
ust
uss
aid.

*****

“Ihopeshei
sdoingfi
ne”Left
ystoodgazi
ngathi
sphone.Hehadbeenexpecti
ngMorayo‟
sc al
l,
butnothi
ngl
ikethat.
Hewi s
hedhec oul
dspeakwi
thher,
maybegetstrengt
hf r
omheragainst
thi
scallt
oal
coholi
smanddr ugs
.

Hedec
idedt
ocal
lBayoi
nst
ead…

*****

Bayogothomef eel
ingasexc
itedashehadbeenforthepastei
ghtdays
.Hec
oul
dn‟
tbel
ieve
God‟sgoodnes
st ohim.HowcouldMadamLibrabeinlovewit
hhim.

“
Libr
a!NotMadamLi
bra!
”hec
orr
ect
edhi
msel
f

EI
GHTDAYSEARLI
ER…

Bayohadbeenlyi
ngdownonhi sbedver
yoverwhel
medatLefty‟smovefromt hehous
e.He
begantowors
hipGod,ashewantedtoprayt
hroughthesi
tuat
ion.Alotofthi
ngshadhappened
i
nlessthanamonthanditseem li
kehehadnotbeenhear
ingfromGodi nrecentt
imes.
ATTHESAMETI
ME…

Librawasonthebed,aboutt
ocatc
hanearlys
leep,whenherSTARsear
cherr
ais
edanalar
m
abouthergameswereabouttoberes
cued…Li
brajumpedfromthebedandcheckedf
ormore
informat
ion…

“BAYOI
NENQUI
RYMODE”

Li
braknewwhatt
hatmeant,Bayowasinthepr
ayermood,sheneededt
ostophim.Libr
apaced
ar
oundthi
nki
ngabouthernextmove.
.Shegoti
t!Shepi
ckedupherphone,
dial
inghisnumber…

*****

Bayohear dhisphoneri
nging,hewasdeepi nworship,andast hephonerang,heheard
“DISTRACTION”.HEContinuedwithhisprayer
,andli
kewi seLibrakeptcal
li
ng.Bayoinbetween
hisworship,peepedtocheckthecall
erID,“MadamLi bra”.Bayoimmediatel
ylosti
nteres
tinhi
s
wor shi
p.Hepickedupthec al
linarush…Hedidn‟tknowi fitwasthemoneyt hewoman
possessedthatmadehimr everenceher,butheknewhehadt opickupthecall
…

“Hel
loma,
Goodeveni
ngma!
”

“Goodeveni
ngBayo!Howar
eyou?”

“
Iamf
inema”

“
What
‟swi
tht
hema,
cal
lmebymyname,
Libr
a,andI
amj
ust32year
sol
d…”

“
Oh.
.
kkk”Bayowonder
edwhathewass
uppos
etodowi
tht
hatpi
eceofi
nfor
mat
ion.

Ther
ewasbr
iefmomentofs
ilenc
e…
“Hel
loma,
areyout
her
e?”Bayoas
kedt
ofi
llupt
hes
ilenc
e.

“Yeah.
.Iam.
.j
ust
…confus
ed…Idon‟
tknowhowbestt
oaskt
heques
tiont
hathasbeenbuggi
ng
meinthepas
ttwodays
”Libr
asai
dwithaver
ysof
tvoi
ce

“Whati
sitma?”

“AmI
theonl
yonef
eel
ingt
hewayI
amf
eel
ing”

“About
?”

“Us
?”

Bayowast
hrownaway,
hedi
dn‟
tseet
hatc
omi
ng…

“Pleasetel
lmei fI
amwr ong,becauseIt
hinkIsawyoustar
ingatmel i
keamill
ionti
mesforthe
thr
eedayswewer eallt
ogether
,atfir
stIt
houghtitwasmymi nd,
buteversi
nceyouguysleft
,
youhavebeenhaunt i
ngmydr eams …SoIjus
tcall
edtocl
eartheair.Ar
eyouint
omeori t
‟sjust
me, becaus
eI amatthatpoi
ntinmyl i
feIwantaseri
ousrel
ati
onshipandIwanttobesur
eifit
wil
lbewi thyou?”

Bayohadneverheardorseent
hisi
nhi
sli
fe,
hec
oul
dn‟
tpl
acewhati
twas
,wass
heas
kinghi
m
outorconf
irmi
ngifheli
kedher?

Tobec
ont
inued.
.

[
29/
06,
4:50pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART43

"
THESHENANI
GANS"
“I
…the…tr
uth…is
”Bayowant
edt
osayt
het
rut
hthathehadnevert
houghtaboutheri
nthatl
ight
,
butLi
bracuti
n…

“Youknowwhat,
youdon‟
thavet
oans
wermenow,
gat
heryourt
hought
sandgetbac
ktome”
Libr
ahungup.

Libr
asmiledknowi
ngs
hehadj
ustmes
sedupwi
thhi
sbr
ain.
Hedef
ini
tel
ywoul
dnotr
etur
nto
thatpr
ayer.

*****

Bayolosthi
speaceafterLi
brahungup,hebegantothi
nkabouthistimeinherhouse,he
couldn‟
trememberanys pecialmoment
sbetweenthem,i
nfacthec oul
dn‟tr
ememberl ocki
ng
eyeswithher.
Theyjustspokec as
ual
lyt
oherli
keanAunt,eventhoughashewast hinki
ngabout
i
t,shewasabouttheirages,Moneyhadjus
tgi
venherthehonourofbeingcall
edAunt y.

Bayohadbroughtouthi
sphone,
hecheckedthegal
ler
yfoldertochec
koutas
elf
iepi
ctur
ehe
hadtakenwit
hheratoneofther
est
aurantst
heyhadallgoneto..

“Shei
sbeaut
if
ulandac
tual
lyYoung!
”Bayobegant
oac
ces
sthepi
ctur
e.

“Couldt
hisbeables
singi
ndi
sgui
se,
Maybemyyear
sofbei
ngf
ait
hfult
oLef
tyhasl
edmet
omy
plac
eofbless
ing"

“But
,ri
chgi
rl
sar
eus
ual
lynots
ubmi
ssi
ve”

“I
thi
nks
hewi
llbedi
ff
erent
,shehasas
oftandl
ovi
nghear
t”

“Buts
hes
aids
omet
hingabouthavi
ngabadpas
tsher
egr
ets
,Wass
heapr
ost
itut
e?”

“Whydon‟
tyouas
kher
?”
Bayohadpi
ckeduphi
sphonet
hedayaf
ter
.Itwasaf
terWor
kandhehadt
her
oomt
ohi
msel
f…

“Hel
lo.
.
”Bayoi
mmedi
atel
ydr
oppedt
heMadamorAunt
yti
tl
e

“Hi
…Igues
sIamaboutt
ohearhowmuc
hofaf
oolI
am”Li
bras
aid“I
ams
orr
yforas
sumi
ng…”

Bayoc
uti
n…

“Youar
enotaf
ool
,Il
ikeyout
oobutI
ams
car
ed”

“Of
?”

“I
don‟
thavemuc
handI
woul
dlovet
ost
il
lbet
heonet
opaymywi
fe‟
sbi
ll
s”

“Wi
fe?‟Li
brawas
n;texpec
tingt
hatei
ther

“Yeah,IamaChri
stianandIhavekeptmyselff
oralongti
me,Idon‟
thavet
imef
orpl
ayi
ng
around,
ifIamget
tingintoanyt
hing,i
thastobeformarr
iage”

“OK?”Li
brawass
light
lyi
mpr
ess
ed

“So,asIwassayi
ng,
Iamabits
caredthatI
hopewhat
everI
bri
ngtot
hetabl
eformywi f
ewould
beaccepted.
Iamnotaguyt
hatisdes
peratet
oberi
ch,I
amhappywi
thwhateverl
evelIamat,
atanygiventi
me"

Li
bras
oft
enedr
ightt
her
e…

“
Hei
snotl
ikemyf
ather
”Li
brat
hought
“Youmeanyouc
annotdoanyt
hingf
ormoney?”

“No…Whati
sthees
sens
eofmoney?”

“Tohaveagoodl
if
e”Li
braans
wer
ed

“Andt
hatgoodl
if
einc
ludes
?”Bayoas
ked

“Goodf
ood,
greathous
e,gr
eatc
ars
,tr
avel
ingar
oundt
hewor
ld”

“And?‟

„And…”Librareal
izedsheactual
lyhadnomoreans wers.
Bayohadjustmadeherreali
zethe
simpl
ici
tyinLife,
andt hi
squesti
onedherquestforwealt
h.Shehadtravell
edt
oover40
countr
iesinthewor l
d,shehadeatendif
fer
entdelic
acies
,shehadhous ess
hecoul
dn‟teven
keeptabson,carswereuncountable,
butyetshesti
llhadsomethi
ngs hewasmiss
ing…LOVE

“
Hel
lo,
areyout
her
e?”Bayoc
all
edherbac
k

“
Yes
,Iamher
e.Yougotmet
hinki
ngac
tual
ly.
.
”

“
That‟sgoodt
oknow,s
olikeIwass
ayi
ng,Iwantt
oknowi
fint
hisr
elat
ions
hip,
Igetyoua
wri
stwatchwort
htent
housandNai
raasagif
t,

woul
dyouac
cepti
tinl
oveandweari
tpr
oudl
y?”

“Yes
!”Li
braans
wer
edt
rut
hful
ly
Bayorememberedhowtheyhadspokenf oroveranhour.Theyhadlaughedalot.Fr
omthatday,
i
thadbecomear outi
ne,
forhi
mt ocallhereveryeveni
ngafterwork,andheinsi
stedhewould
betheonetous
ehi smoneytocal
l.Theyalsoagreedtokeepthei
rfri
endshipawayfromthe
other
s.

PRESENTDAY

Bayor
etur
nedt
othepr
esent
,hepi
ckeduphi
sphonet
ocal
lLi
bra,
Lef
ty‟
scal
lcamei
nins
tead…

Hewas
n‟ti
nthemoodtos
peakwi
thLef
ty,
hedi
dn‟
twantt
owas
tet
het
imeheoughtt
ospend
wi
thLi
bras
peaki
ngwit
hLeft
y.

“Iwi
llc
allyoubac
kguy”Bayosai
doutl
oudwithoutpi
cki
ngup.Heendedt
hec
all
.Bef
oreLef
ty
hadt
heoppor t
uni
tyofc
all
ingback,
hequi
ckl
ydialedLi
bra‟
snumber.

******

Li
bras
ati
nthepr
ivat
eroomc
umof
fi
cet
hatl
ookedexac
tlyl
iket
heonei
n

Lagos
.Shesats
ippingherMONDELLOwi ne…Shewat c
hedonthes
creenhowMorayowas
havi
ngavideocallwi
thAda.Sheknewifshehadplayedhercar
dwell
,Adawoul
dasktojoi
n
theminPort
har
c ourt
,andt
hel as
tpreywouldgeti
ntohertrap…

“
Preys
?”Li
bramout
hed.

Shewasn‟
ts ur
eshewasdoingwellwi
thoneoft
hem,shefel
tli
keshewasbecomingtheprey,
shewasbecomingweakwhenBayowasinvol
ved.Thel
astei
ghtdayshadbeenthehappi
estfor
herass
hegott oexper
ienc
etrue

conver
sati
onsthatwarmedherheart,
shewas n‟
tplayi
ngagamewhens
hewass
peaki
ngwi
th
Bayo,i
tjus
tfel
tNaturalbutal
lthatwasabouttochange…

Shehadj
ustr
etur
nedf
romhermot
her
‟spl
ace.
THESTARSEARCHERhadexpos
edhert
ohermot
her
…

Ear
li
ert
hatmor
ning,
hermot
herhads
entherat
ext
..

“SEEMEI
MMEDI
ATELY"

Libr
aknewshewasi
ntr
oubl
e,hermot
heronl
yus
edbr
iefwor
dswhens
hewaspi
ssedat
somethi
ng…

Li
braremember
edhowshehadwalkedi
ntohermother
‟ss
upposedOi
lcompany.
Hermot
her
hadanOilc
ompanyasaf
rontf
orherwealt
handshehadasked….

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:51pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART44

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

“Li
bra,
whoi
sBayo?”MadamEvel
ynhadas
ked

“Oneofmygames
”Li
braans
wer
ed

“I
tbet
ters
tayst
hatway,
Menar
etr
ash,
rememberyourf
ather
”

“Hei
snotl
ikeDad!
”
“I
see!Mydaught
eri
sdef
endi
nghergame,
thi
sisver
yint
eres
ting”

“No,
Iamnotdef
endi
ng,
Iamj
usts
tat
ingaf
act
”

“Youl
ovehi
m?‟

“Love?I
don‟
thaves
uchwor
dinmydi
cti
onar
y,I
amonl
yhunt
inghi
mdown”

MadamEvel
ynt
ookal
ongl
ookatherdaught
er…

“I
fyous
ays
o,butI
fIf
indoutot
her
wis
e,youknowt
hedr
il
l”

“
Yesma!
”

Librahadweptonherwaybac k…Sheknewt hedr

ill
,shehadoncefallenf
oraboybeforeandit
didn‟tendwell,I
nheruni versi
tydays,
shehadfal
lenforaboyinherdepartment.Whenher
mot herfoundout, s
heki l
ledtheboy.I
twasonherwaybac kshedecidedtospeedupthewhole
gamehunt i
ngofthef our,soshecoul
dgetthemoutofherli
fe.Thatpromptedherint
olooki
ng
forac oachi
nglessonf orMorayosoastodr
awAdat oher.

PRESENTTI
ME…

Herphonebegant
ori
ng,
sheknewwhowasc
all
ing.
Itwasherl
overboy.

Shehadt akenawholebot
tleofMONDELLOsoshec
oul
dgeti
ntot
hehunt
ingmode.
She
broughtouther“t
alkanddo”li
psti
ck.
Itwasa

c
harmedlips
tic
kagentsus
eift
heywantedpeopletodot
hei
rbi
ddi
ng.
Itwasal
waysus
edonl
y
f
oremergenci
es…Bayo‟sc
asewasanemergency.

“Hel
lo!
”Li
braans
wer
edt
hec
all
Bayonot
icedt
hec
hangei
ntone

“Hi
,ar
eyouokay?”

Li
brawonder
edwhathemeant
.

“I
amokay
,whydi
dyouas
k?”

“Youdon‟
tsoundyou,
Hadabadday?‟

Libr
at ookadeepbreat
h,shedi
dn‟tl
ikewhatshewasdoing,
shewantedtocryoutandtel
lhim
thetruthofhowshewasnotdoingfi
ne,ofhowshehadbeenforc
edallherl
if
eintodoingwhat
shedidn‟tl
ike,
butknowinghermothersowell
,sheknewhercal
lswerebei
ngmoni t
ored…

“I
amf
ine,
Iamj
ustabi
tedgy”

“
Edgy,
Iamatt
hatt
imeoft
hemont
h”

“Oh!
”

“Nott
hattimeyouaret
hinki
ng,
Iamatt
hatt
imeoft
hemont
hwhenI
haveahi
ghs
exdr
ive”
Li
bracutt
ot hec
hase

“Oh!
”

“Yeah!
”
Bayowas
n‟ts
ureofwhatt
osay.
.

“Sowhatdoyounor
mal
lydo?”

“I
playwi
ths
omeoneont
hephone,
yous
houl
dpl
aywi
thme”

Bayowant edtosaynototheinvit
ationofMas
tur
bationbuthecoul
dn‟t.
Af or
cestr
ongert
han
himwasf orci
nghimintoobedience.HeknewheshouldshoutJ
esus,endthecal
landburs
tint
o
tongues
,buthedi dn‟
twanttohur t

Li
bra.

“I
wil
ljus
tpl
ayf
orami
nut
e…”

“Ami
nut
eisj
ustenough”

Li
braf
oundt
ear
sdr
oppi
ngdownherf
ace,
shedi
dn‟
twantt
oempt
yBayo,
buts
hehadnoc
hoi
ce.

“I
wantyout
othi
nkofmewal
kingi
ntoyourr
oom…”Li
bras
tar
tedherus
uall
ine…

TheSHENANIGANhadast
affwhowasgoodinas
tralt
ravel
li
ng,
s hewast
heonewhowoul
dgo
toanyagent
‟sgamewhowasmast
urbat
ingandwipethegame‟ssemen.

Libr
ahadcall
edherfi
fteenminut
esearl
ytoinformher ,
butLi
braoughttocal
lhertheinst
ant
themast
urbati
onstart
ed.Shewouldcal
lwit
hanot herphone,
andast heAs
tralagenthear
sthe
voic
eofthegame,shewouldbeabletotr
ansporthersel
ftowhereverhewasandgett hej
ob
done…

Libr
afoughtwi
thdi
ali
ngthenumber,butgaveup.Hermotherwoul
dki l
lBayo.
Libr
adial
edher
numberandassoonasshehear
dBayo‟svoice,
theAstr
als
emenc ol
lectort
ranspor
tedhers
elf
there,
WhentheAstr
alSemencoll
ect
orgotthere,s
hepausedwhens hesawthe
t
woAngel
icbei
ngsi
nther
oom.

Tobec
ont
inued….

[
29/
06,
4:51pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART45

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

“Ar
eyouseri
ous?Shedidthatf
oryou?AuntLi
brai
sagoodwoman”Adas
aidass
oonasMor
ayo
Sharedwi
thherthegoodnews

“Yes
!Ada,
sheevens
aids
hewoul
dhavel
ovedt
ohel
pyout
oo,
”

“Shes
aidt
hat
?‟

“Yes,Adapleasecomeover ,l
et ‟
sbet ogether
,don‟tyouseethi
sasanans weredprayer
,asit
looksImaynothavet otravelagain,i
fI passt
heexam, Iwil
lgai
nadmi s
sionintotheuniversi
ty,
andfouryearsaft
erthat,Iwillbeablet omakemoney. Adalet‟
sdothistogether,youareeven
smartert
hanme. Besides,Iwillneeds omeonewithmeatt hatcoac
hingc entersothatwhenmy
pregnancystar
tsshowing,Iwon‟ tfal
lintodepres
sion.
.”

“Letmedi
scus
swi
thmymum”

“YAY!Ada,
foryout
osayyouwi
lldi
scus
swi
thyourmum,
thatmeansyouar
egame…”

“
Somet
hingl
iket
hat
!”

“ThankGodyoudi
dn‟
tsays
omet
hingl
ike“
Letmedi
scus
swi
tht
heHol
ySpi
ri
tfi
rst
”Mor
ayos
aid
Laughing
“Ac
tual
ly,
youknowIoughtt
odothat“Adarepl
iedl
aughi
ng“But
,Iknowt
heHol
ySpi
ri
twant
s
metobewereyouar
e,Hehastol
dmebefore”

“OhYeah!Whendi
dhet
ellyou?‟

“Whenyouwer
eatAunt
yOs
as‟pl
ace”

“AndNow?Di
dHeas
kyout
ocomeher
e?”Mor
ayos
aid

“Haha!Mor
ayowhyal
lthi
sdet
ect
iveques
tioni
ng,
youdon‟
twantmet
o

c
omeover
?‟

“Ofcour
seIwantyoutocome,butIwantyoutocomes t
rong,wit
hyourmi
ndmadeup,I
don‟
t
wantyoutocomehereandsayyouareleavi
ngthenextday,bec
auseGods
aidyous
houl
d”
Morayosai
d

AdaknewMorayowasr
ight
,buts
hewant
edt
opr
ooft
ohert
hats
hewas
n‟tasbadass
he
pai
ntedher
..

“Mor
ayo,
Iamc
omi
ngt
oPor
thar
cour
t,andI
amc
omi
ngs
trong”Adas
aid

*****

Left
ywonderedwhyBayowasn‟
tpi
ckinghi
scal
l.Washes
til
langr
yathi
mforl
eavi
ngt
he
house?Heneededt
ospeakt
osomeone!

Chi
nedu!

Left
ylookedbehindhi
m,DidsomeoneSpeakfr
ombehindhi
m?WhydidthenameofChinedu
poppedinhismind?Maybeheneededtocal
landapol
ogi
ze.
Evers
inc
ethatj
ointpr
ayerhehad
wi
thMor
ayoont
hatpl
ane,

t
her
ehadbeenapar
tofhi
mseeki
ngr
ight
eous
nes
s.

Left
yc heckedt
hroughhismessagei
nboxfort
hemes sageChinedusenthi
m, hefounditand
readthroughagai
n.Hereaditf
romabet t
erplac
eandhet houghtoftheopport
unityhehadlos
t.
Hedialedthenumberjustt
oapologi
zeforhi
swr ong.

*****

Chineduwaspacki
nghisbag,hewasleavi
ngf
ort
hetrai
ningi
nthemorni
ng.
Hisphonebegant
o
beep,hecheckedt
hecall
erID,andwhenhesawBOSSLEFTY,
healmos
tpassedout
.Howdidhe
knowt het
ripwasfort
henextday.

“Hel
loBos
s”

“Hi
Chi
nedu,
mybr
other
..howar
eyou?”

“I
amf
ineBos
s.”

“Ermm..Ijus
tc al
ledtoapologi
zef
ormywrongdoi
ngtowar
dsyou,i
twascomingfromaplac
eof
frus
trat
ion.Iams or
ryItookoutmyfr
ust
rat
iononyou.
Andpleas
eiftheof
feroft
he…”Lef
tywas
sayi
ngbutChi neducuti
n

“Theoff
erofthetr
aini
ngi
ssti
llon,
Ifil
ledthef
ormforyouandsignedonyourbehal
f.Iwrot
e
thesc
hool,
thatyouwereunr
eachableatthemoment,soIf
il
ledallnec
ess
aryformsforyou”

“I
wasgoi
ngt
osay,
theof
feraboutt
hedi
nnerwi
thyourpar
ent
s…Wheni
sthet
rai
ning?“

“I
tstar
tsnext
weekbutIamleavi
ngtomorr
owmorning,
myDadwant smetoat
tends
ome
busi
nessmeeti
ngsonhi
sbehalfi
nthatc
ountr
yandaneighbour
ingc
ount
ry.
”
“Gues
sLuc
kisnotonmys
idet
hist
imear
ound”

“
Whydoyous
ayt
hatBos
s?

“
Idon‟
thaveapas
spor
ttal
kles
sofavi
sa,
soI
can‟
tmeetupwi
thyouont
hisone”

“MyAuntwor
ksattheEmbass
y,s
oget
tingavi
sawillnotbeaprobl
em,andyoucangeta24
hour
sPass
por
t.Youcanj
oinmemuchl
ater.
InFourdaysever
ythi
ngwil
lbedone.
”

“Chi
nedu,
whyar
eyoui
nter
est
edi
nme,
Iamnotgay”Lef
tys
aidbl
unt
ly

“Bos
s,I
amnotgayei
ther
,I amjustac
hil
dofGodwhohass
eengr
eat
nes
sinyouandi
swi
ll
ingt
o
uset
heres
our
cesatmydisposalt
obeofhel
p.”

“Hmm…butt
her
eisapr
obl
em?”

“Whi
chi
s?”

Lef
tyexpl
ainedt
hesit
uat
ionofsel
li
ngcarsandhavi
ngt heChal
lengeofsel
li
ngtwocar
satt
he
moment.Ashecoul
dnotleavet
hecountr
ywi t
houtgi
vingMadamLi brahermoney.

“Sendmethepi
ctur
esoft
hec
arsandt
hei
rpr
ices
,Is
houl
dhaveaf
ewf
riendswhomaybe
i
nteres
ted”

Lef
tyhungups
til
lnots
ureofwhatGodwasdoi
ngwit
hhi
m.Hes
entt
hepi
ctur
esoft
het
woc
ars
toChi
nedu.
Chi
neducal
ledbac
kafterf
ewminutes
…
“Sol
d!BossIwi
lls
endyoutwoaddr
ess
esr i
ghtawayandt
hephonenumber
soft
hebuyer
s,you
candel
ivert
hecar
stothemint
hemorning”

“Ar
eyous
eri
ousChi
nedu?”

“YesBos
s..
”

“Thankyous
omuc
h,Godbl
essyoumybr
other
.“

“Amen…pl easedon‟tmenti
onBoss
,Iwi
llal
sos
endyouthephonenumberofmycousi
nIkenna,
hewi l
lhel
pyouwi t
ht hePas
spor
tandVi
s a.
Boss
,pl
easesendmeyouracc
ountdet
ail
sfora
li
ttl
esupport”

“NoChi
nedu,
fornowl
etmes
pendmymoney,
youhavebeenf
art
ooki
nd”

Left
ysai
d.“IfIsel
lthecar
stomorrow,I
wouldhavemadeatot
alprofi
tof1.6mil
li
onNair
af r
om
thecars
ales,I
believei
shoul
dbeabl et
ousepartofi
tformyt
ravelexpens
es.I
can‟ti
magine
howmuc hthetrai
ningmusthave

c
ost
.”

“Ok,
ifyoui
nsi
stBos
s,butl
eaveoutt
hepl
anet
icket
,Myf
atheri
sbuyi
ngt
hat
”

“Ok,
thanksmybr
other
”

“Youar
emos
twel
comeBos
s”

Lef
tyendedt
hec
all
….
“
God,thankyou!ThankyouIdi
dn‟
tjus
ttaket
hatdr
ugswi
tht
hem,
thi
swoul
dneverhavec
ome
t
oplay”Left
ysaidtohimsel
f.

PRAYERPOI
NT:

OHLord,
alloppor
tuni
ti
esofhel
p,t
hatI
lostasar
esul
toff
oll
owi
ngf
akehel
p,Lor
d,I
prayf
or
res
tor
ati
onofthembyyourMercyi
nJesusName.AMEN!

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:52pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART46

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

TheAstr
alsemencol
lectors
awtwoAngel
icbei
ngsi
nBayo‟
sroomashewasdeepi
nhi
s
Mastur
bati
on.OneoftheAngel
skepts
ayi
ng…

“St
op!
”butBayowasnotl
ist
eni
ng.

TheAstr
alsemencol
lec
tornoti
cedt
heAngel
shadtheirhandsi
nfr
ontoft
hemf
olded,
she
under
stoodwhatt
hatmeant.Theyc
oul
dnotstopher
.

Shepr
oceededt
oBayoandwi
pedt
hes
emenof
fhi
sthi
gh.

*****

“
Whatdoyoumeanyouwantt
ogot
oPor
thar
cour
ttomeetyourf
riend?”

Ada‟
smot
hers
aidont
hei
rwayhomef
romherbeanc
akes
ales
.

“Mummy,Mor
ayo‟sBosshasenr
oll
edMorayoinacoac
hingles
sons
oshec
ant
aket
henex
t
exam,
andMorayosai
dthewomanof f
eredtohel
pmet oo”
“Whyi
sthi
swomans
oni
cet
oyoupeopl
e?”Ada‟
smot
heras
ked

“I
bel
ievei
tisGodans
wer
ingourpr
ayer
s”Adadi
dnotwantt
odi
scl
oseMor
ayo‟
spr
egnanc
y

“I
wil
lpr
ayabouti
t,gi
vemef
ivedays
”

“Fi
vedays
?”

“
Iti
stoos
mal
l?”

“Mummy,iti
stoomuch,
Ithoughtyouwi
lll
etmel
eavei
nthemor
ningl
ikeMor
ayo‟
sfat
her
agreedwi
thMorayo”

“I
amnotMor
ayo‟
sfat
her
,IamAda‟
smot
her
”

*****

Bayowenttobedfeel
ingexhaust
ed,hehadneverf
eltasdr
ainedashef
eltt
hatday.
.Thi
swas
thefi
rstt
imehehadevermas t
urbat
edinhisl
if
e.

“
God!WhathaveI
done?Pl
eas
efor
giveme”

*****

Lef
tys
oldt
hec
arsbef
ore8am…By8am,
hec
all
edLi
bra…

“
Hel
loma,Ihavegotgoodnews,Ihavesoldallt
hec
arsandI
wil
lbet
ravel
li
ngf
oraonemont
h
f
oot
bal
ltr
aining”Lef
tysai
dfeel
ingveryexci
ted
“Ok?”

“
Iwantt
oknowwhi
chac
countI
Shoul
dtr
ans
fert
hemoneyt
o”

Li
brawasl
ost
…

“Whodidhesel
lthelas
ttwoc ar
sto?”Li
braas
kedher
sel
f.Theyhadlef
tthet
woc ar
sunsoldto
stal
lhi
m.Itwastobuythemenought i
meforhimt
ocrac
kands tar
tusi
ngdrugs
.Theothercar
s
hadbeenboughtbyagents
,it

wasnotat
rues
ale.

“
Slowdownandmakes
ens
etome”Li
bras
aidass
hehads
tar
teds
weat
ing,

Lef
tywasaboutt
otamperwi
thhers
trat
egy…

Lef
tyt
oldheraboutChi
neduandhi
sof
fer
…

“Soyouar
ejus
tgoi
ngt
oabandonMor
ayoi
nherpr
egnants
tat
eandr
unaway”Li
bras
aid

“Iamnotrunni
ngaway,
Iwi
llonl
ybegoneforamonth,t
hetrai
ningwi
lladdtomyf
oot
bal
l
exper
ienc
e,sot
hatwhenMrWisdomi
sreadytohel
p,Iwil
lhavemoret
oof f
er”

Li
bras
awt
her
ewasnos
toppi
nghi
m.

“
Okay,
ifyousayso”Li
braagreeds
inc
eitwasj
ustamont
h.Thi
swasapoi
ntert
hats
hehadt
obe
s
martaboutt
hisgamehunt i
ng.

“Sowhi
chac
counts
houl
dIs
endt
hemoneyt
o?”
“Sti
llhol
dont
oit,
youmights
til
lneedsomemoneydur
ingyourt
ripandmor
eoverwheny
ou
ret
urnyoumayneedi
ttocont
inueyourbus
ines
s”

Libr
asai
d.I
twasherwayofkeepi
nghi
mcommi
tted.
Wit
hhermoneyi
nhi
shands
,hec
oul
dn‟
t
runaway.

“Ha!Thankyous
omuc
hma,
youar
eal
if
echanger
”

“Godi
sthel
if
echanger
”Lef
tyhear
davoi
cec
aut
ionhi
minhi
sSpi
ri
t

“I
thankGodf
orus
ingyout
ochangemyl
if
e”hec
orr
ect
edhi
msel
f

“Don‟
tment
ion!
”

“Pl
eas
ema,
canI
speakt
oMor
ayos
oIc
ans
har
ethegoodnewswi
thher
”

“
Sur
e!”Att
hatpoi
nt,
sheneededt
hemt
ohavec
onver
sat
ions
,shedi
dn‟
twantt
olos
ehi
m.

“Whydon‟
tIs
endyouherphonenumber
?"

“Oh!Thankyouma”

Li
braendedt
hec
all
…

“Thi
sgamehunt
ingi
saboutt
otakeanewt
wis
t”Li
bras
aidt
oher
sel
f

“Cal
mdownLi
bra,
hewi
llj
ustbegonef
oramont
h”
Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:53pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART47

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Thenextfourdayshadpas sedsofas
tforLeft
y,j
ustasChinedupr omi
sed,hegothi
spasspor
t
andvis
adonei nfourdays.TheVis
af eecos
thimhalfami l
lion,
sincei
twastreat
edasan
emergency.HealsoenjoyedthecompanyofMor ayooverthephone.Theygis
tedabout
ever
ythingpossi
ble.

*****

Meanwhi
le,Adawasnotgi
vinghermot
hert
heri
ghtatt
itudei
nthehous
e,s
hewas
n‟teat
ing.
Shewasbeginni
ngt
odispl
aybehavi
ort
hatwasf
orei
gntoher.

“
Ada,
sobec
aus
eIamwat
chi
ngoutf
oryou,
youhavedec
idedt
otur
nmet
oyourenemy”

“
Mum, areyounotbehavi
nglikemyenemy?Youdon‟
thavet
hemoneytos
endmet
osc
hool
,but
s
uddenlysomeoneappearsandyouarenots
eei
ngthebl
essi
ngt
here.
”

“Ada,s
omeevi
lsar
edec
eit
ful
lypac
kagedi
nBl
ess
sings
,buti
fyoui
nsi
st,
iti
syourl
if
eandnot
mine.
”

“Doest
hatmeanI
cango?”

“I
t‟
syourc
hoi
ce,
don‟
tjus
tret
urnhomet
omei
ntear
s”

Adar
ushedt
ohermumhuggi
nghert
ight
ly…

“I
promi
set
omakeyoupr
oud”
”
CanI
usey
ourphone?”Adas
aidwant
ingt
ocal
lMor
ayos
trai
ght
away.

*****

TheOnemont hwentbys oquic

k. ForAdaandMor ayo,theywerelivi
ngthei
rdreamli
fe.
They
werefacingthei
reducati
onlikesomer ic
hkids.Thedrivertookthemt ot
hecoachi
ngcenterin
oneofLibra‟
sexoticcar
s.Bayoont heotherhandbec ameanaddi ctofMast
urbati
on.
Hes tar
ted
dis
tur
bingLibraforthephones exeveryday.Nodaypas sedwithouttheAst
ralsemen

c
oll
ect
orc
oll
ect
ingf
romhi
m.Li
brawant
edhi
mtos
topbuti
twast
ool
ate.

However,forLef
ty,i
twasadi f
fer
entbal
lgame.Chi
neduhi
ghlyi
nfl
uencedhim.Theyprayedat
anygivenopportuni
tyinGermany.J
ustl
ikeBayowasaddi
ctedt
omasturbat
ion,Lef
tyhad
becomeaddi c
tedtoprayer
s.

Dur
ingt
heonemont
htr
aini
ng,
hehadadr
eamt
hats
til
lbaf
fledhi
m:

Hehadseenabeaut i
fulboutiquefi
ll
edtothebr
im,Lef
tyfoundhi
mselfi
nsi
dethebout
ique.He
begant
os ear
chforclothes,onlyf
orhimtobegi
ntoseesomeofhiscl
othest
here.
Healsosaw
someofBayo‟sc
lothest her
e.

MadamLi
bras
uddenl
yshowedup…

“Aunt
yLi
bra,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”

“Thi
sismybout
ique.
”

“Wow,
sowhydoI
haves
omeofmyc
lot
hesher
e?”

“That
‟swhatIdo,It
akepeopl
e‟sc
lot
hest
oloadupmybout
ique,
Imakemoneyof
fsel
li
ng
people‟
scl
othes”
Lef
tyhads
har
edt
her
evel
ati
onwi
thChi
neduwhodi
dn‟
tmi
ncewor
ds…

“Thatwomanisagl
orytakerandgl
oryt
rader
,theybec
omer
ichbyt
radi
ngwi
thot
herpeopl
e‟s
glory.
Iadvi
seyous
tayawayf r
omher”

Lef
tyknewhec
oul
dn‟
tjus
tst
ayawayf
romher
,hi
sbabymamawaswi
thher
,andhermoneywas
wit
hhim.

Duri
ngthet
raini
ng,
Leftyhadwont
hehear
tsofs
omeofhi
str
ainer
s.Whent
heywer
eleavi
ng,
oneofhi
str
ainer
scall
edhimasi
de.
.

“Samuel,
y ouareagoodpl
ayer,
St aycl
osetoyourphone,
Ihopet
ospeakt
osomeofmyc
oac
h
fr
iends
,Ishouldfi
ndyouaclubsoon.Prayi
tgoeswell”

Lef
tyhadt
hankedhi
m.

Chineduhadbec omeabett
erf r
iendtohimthanBayo,butBayowassti
llhi
sfor
everpal
.
Throughouthisonemonthstay,theyonlys
pokeaboutfourti
mesandthoseti
mes,Bayowas
n‟t
soundinghisusuals
elf
.Hewasal waysinahurr
ytogetoffthephone.

Lef
tyhadpr
omis
edhi
msel
fhewasgoi
ngt
oseeBayoonhi
sar
rivalbef
oregoi
ngbac
ktohi
scar
sal
ebusi
nes
s.

Hegottherearound5pm.Hewasgr
eatlysur
pri
sedathowtherooml ooked.
Kindlyhi
ome
on+233544142683tobeaddedt
oStor
yheadquart
ersroom.I
tlookedli
keades er
tedplac
e,i
t
wasveryunli
keBayotohaveanunt
idyroom.

Lef
tygotdowntocl
eaningbusi
ness
,hesweptther
oom,andwhil
etr
yingtol
ayt
hemat
tres
s,he
sawsomethi
ngver
ys t
range,t
herewasaroundhol
edugintot
hemattres
s.
Lef
tyknewthemeani
ngofthat
,hewasafoot
bal
lerandhi
sli
fehadbeenmaj
orl
yar
oundboys
.
Thi
swasoneofthesi
gnsofmast
urbat
ion.

“Whendidt
hisst
art
?OhmyGod!”Lef
tyf
eltbadf
orl
eavi
nghi
sfr
iend,
itwasobvi
ouss
omet
hing
hadgonewrongwit
hhi
sfr
iend

*****

Adac oul
dn‟tdenyshewasc hanging,butsheknews hehadtobl
endwithhernewenvir
onment.
Shewast hebrai
nyoftheclass,sothatmadeal otofpeopl
ebefri
endher,
butMorayo‟
sbeaut
y
gottheboysdrooli
ng.Shewasnotyets howi
ngatall,sonooneknewaboutthepr
egnancy
excepttheownerof

t
hec
oac
hingc
ent
er.

Aparti
cularboyc
aughtherf
anc yandf
romwhats
hehear
d,hewast
hes
onofanoi
lbar
on.
She
coul
dtellhewasnoti
ntoher,butshel
ikedhi
malot
.

TheStarsearc
herhadhint
edLibr
aaboutt
hedevel
opment,
andLibr
adeci
dedtoseiz
ethe
moment …Libr
awalkedint
otheli
vingr
oomwhereAdaandMorayower
ewatchingan
Enter
tainmentChannel
.

WhenAdai nit
ial
lyarri
ved,
shewasalwayswat chi
ngreli
giouss
tati
ons,butLibr
atol
dthemto
al
sowatc hmovies,r
eali
tyshows,f
ashionshowssotheycouldseetheotherpart
sofli
fe.
Gradual
ly,t
heys t
oppedwat c
hingrel
igious

s
tat
ions
.

“Gi
rl
s,s
oIhavebeenwant
ingt
oas
k,havet
her
ebeenguysas
kingyouout
?”

Thet
wogirl
sfr
oze,
theyknewLibr
awant
edt
hemt
oconc
ent
rat
eont
hei
rac
ademi
cs.
Adas
awi
t
asat
rap,
soshequi
cklybol
ted.
“I
amnott
hebeaut
if
ulone,
Mor
ayoi
s,s
osheget
sal
ltheat
tent
ion”

“AndMor
ayounf
ort
unat
elyi
spr
egnant
,soI
amof
fthemar
ket
”Mor
ayor
epl
ied

“What
!!!WhatamI
hear
ingf
romyougi
rl
s?Letmes
tar
twi
thyouMor
ayo.

Morayo,thef
ac tt
hatyouarepregnantdoesnotmeanyoushoul
dn‟tmingl
e,bes
idesoncet
he
babyisborn,youcangetbackyourlif
e,besi
desIheart
her
earesonsofri
chguysthere.
Andyou
madam, whywon‟ tt
heguys

drooloveryours
ist
er,
haveyoucheckedyourhol
yMaryout
fit
s.I
gaveyouguysmoneyt
ogo
shoppingandyoucamebackwit
hs acks
…”Libras
aidl
aughi
ng

AdaandMor
ayoc
oul
dn‟
thel
pbutl
augh.

“Gi
rl
shavef
un,
don‟
tjus
thaves
ex.
”Li
bras
aiddec
eit
ful
ly.

“Yesma”

“Sot
hatbeens
aid,
wegos
hoppi
ngt
omor
row”

“Aunt
y,thankyousomuch”Adawashappywi
tht
hedevel
opment
,shec
oul
dn‟
twai
ttohave
Dinol
ookatherwit
hlovei
nhiseyes
.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:53pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART48

"
THESHENANI
GANS"
Bayowassurpr
isedt
oseehisdoorwi
del
yopened.
Hewal
kedi
ntomeett
her
oomexc
ept
ional
ly
cl
ean.Lef
tywasdefi
nit
elyar
ound.

“Lef
ty.
.
Samuel
..
”

Samuelpoppedoutoft
headj
our
ningt
oil
etgi
vingBayoat
ighthug…

“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”Bayos
aidgi
vinghi
mac
olds
houl
der

“WhatamI
doi
ngwher
e?‟

“Youhear
dme,
youar
enol
ongerwel
comedher
e,I
shoul
dhaver
epai
redt
hel
ocks
”

“Iams orryyouaremadatmefort
ravel
li
ngwithouti
nfor
mingyou,
itwasashor
tnoti
ceandI
tr
iedcalli
ngbutyoukepthangi
ngup.Atthet
ime,youwereangr
yImovedoutbecaus
eofmycar
busi
nes s
.Bayo,Iamsorr
y,i
twas

anunexpec
tedbr
eakt
hrough”

“Goodf
oryou”

“Comei
n,I
gotyous
omet
hings
…”

“Noti
nter
est
ed”

“Guy,
haha,
don‟
tbeababenow,
guysdon‟
tkeepgr
udges
”
Bayoenteredt
heroom,henot
icedthebedhadbeenlai
d,hef
eltuneasyabouti
tbutkeptqui
et
abouti
t.Bayol
ookedLeft
yint
hef ac
eforthef
irs
tti
meandhec ouldn‟
thelpbutnot
icehisf
resh
fac
e.

“Youl
ookgood”Bayos
aid

“Godi
sgood”

“Ok…s
omeonehasbec
omemor
ebor
nagai
n”

“
Brother,that
‟sonChinedu…I
judgedt
hatboywrongl
y,bei
ngar i
chki
ddidn‟
tmakehimspoi
lt
,
i
nfac
tI haveneverseenaboythat
”swel
ltr
ainedi
nmyl i
fe.
IthankGodformeet
inghi
m.”

“Goodt
ohear
,Sowhenar
eyoul
eavi
ng?”

“Leavi
ng?I
camet
ospendt
heweekendwi
thyou”

“No,
,
,it
‟snotpos
sibl
e…”

“Why?Youar
est
il
langr
ywi
thme?”

“
No,
Iamnotangr
ywi
thyou,
it‟
sjus
tthatI
…I…haves
omeper
sonal….

St
uff
…Imean…pr
ojec
tIamwor
kingon,
andI
don‟
twantanyf
ormofdi
stur
banc
e.”

“
Per
sonalSt
uff
,youmeant
his
…”Lef
tyyankedt
hebeds
heetof
fthemat
tres
s.

Bayor
ubbedhi
sfor
eheadi
nshame
“Mybr
other
,whendi
dthi
sst
art
?”

“
Iti
snoneofyourbus
ines
s,Samuelpl
eas
egetout
.”Bayos
aids
peaki
ngver
yaggr
ess
ivel
y.

“
Youar
esendi
ngmeoutofyourpl
acebecauseoft
hedi
rtyac
tyouwantt
ocommi
t,Bayoyou
wer
enotl
iket
hisamont
hago,whatchanged?”

TheanswerLeft
ywaslooki
ngforsurf
acedunexpec
tedl
y…Bayo‟
sphoner
angandLef
tys
awt
he
ID“Li
braLove”
.Bayor
ushedtocoverthesc
reen.

“Youhavet
oleave!
”

Lef
tybegant
oconnec
tthedot
s…Hi
srevel
ati
onaboutt
hewomans
ell
ing

hi
scl
othandt
hatofBayoi
nherbout
ique.

Shehads
enthi
mt ost
artwor
kingwit
hguyswhous
eddr
ugs
,ifnotf
orChi
nedu,
hemi
ghthave
st
art
edusi
ngdrugsi
fhewassti
llwi
ththem.

Bayo,
whowastheferventonesuddenl
ystart
edmas t
urbat
ingands
urpri
singl
ysheiscall
ing
Bayo.
Lef
tyr
emember edtheyhadbothstoredhernameasMadamLibrainthei
rcontactl
ist
,so
whatmadet
hatchangedt o

Li
braLove.

“What
‟sgoi
ngon?ThatwomanAunt
yLi
bra,
Iamnotc
omf
ort
abl
ewi
thheranymor
e.”

“Af
teryout
ookhermoney!
”
“Hermoneyi
swi
thme,
Iof
fer
edt
ogi
veherbac
k,buts
het
oldmet
ost
il
lhol
dont
oit
.”

“
Andnow,yout
hinks
hei sabadwoman,typi
calofhumanbei
ngs
,youar
emovi
ngt
othenext
r
ichper
son,
Chi
neduisnowtherealdeal
.“

“Bayo,
youar
enott
alki
ngl
ikeyou.
Myguywhathashappenedt
oyou?”

“Getoutofmyr
oom”

Li
bra‟
scal
lkepti
nter
rupt
ing.

“Ok,
it‟
sfi
ne.
.
Iwi
lll
eavebutI
wil
lbepr
ayi
ngf
oryou

“Idon‟
tneedyourpr
ayers”
.Bayosai
dbutheknewwi t
hinhi
msel
f,t
hathewastell
ingabi
gli
e.
Heknewheneededallthehel
phec oul
dget.Heknewhewasdrowning,
buthehadnostr
ength
tofi
ghtagai
nstt
hefl
oodofemot i
onshefel
tforLi
bra.

Lef
tyl
eftBayo‟
sapar
tment
,hec
oul
dn‟
tbel
ievewhathadj
usthappened.

Bayowentasf
arast
hrowi
nghi
sst
uffoutoft
her
oom.

Hereachedi
ntohi
spoc
ketf
orhi
sphoneanddi
aledt
henumberoft
heonl
yper
sont
hatc
amet
o
mind.

“Hel
loChi
nedu"

*****
“Andyoubel
ievehewas
n‟ti
ntot
hisbef
oreyoul
eft
?”Chi
neduas
ked.
Lef
tywass
til
lins
hoc
k

“Yes
,myfri
endis.
..
orwasas t
rongChr
ist
ianli
keyou,andwehavel
ivedt
oget
herf
oryear
s,t
he
guyIsawt
onightwasashadowofwhomyf ri
endis.
.
.”

“Let
‟spr
ayBos
s"

“Ok!Butc
anyous
topc
all
ingmeBos
s,wear
ebr
other
snow"

“Bos
s,youwi
llal
waysbeBos
s..
”Chi
nedus
aidl
aughi
ng.
“Let
‟spr
ayBos
s..
.

OurFatheri
nHeaven,thereveal
erofallt
rut
hs,yous
aidinyourWord,weshoul
dseekandwe
wil
lfi
nd,Fat
herwes eektoknowt het
ruthaboutMrBayoandaboutthewomanLibra.
Whati
s
goi
ngonbet weent
hem?Hel pus

t
ofi
ndoutt
het
rut
habouther
,unc
overher
.”

Chinedui
mmedi atel
yhadaflashofavi
si
on.
.
.Hesawalocalhunterwhosendshisdogt
ocatc
h
thedomesticani
malsofpeople.
Hewouldhi
deatacor
nerands endthedog.Thedogwoul
d
catchchi
ckensandbringi
ttohisowner
..
.

Chi
neduopenedhi
seyes
..
.

“Bos
s,I
hadaf
las
hofs
omet
hing"

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:54pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART49

"
THESHENANI
GANS"
Bayoexpl
ainedt
her
evel
ati
ont
oLef
ty.
.
.

“Obvi
ousl
y,t
herei
sacol
lect
inghappeni
ng,ther
earepowersst
eali
ngfr
omyouandyourf
riend,
andther
eisact
ual
lyast
rongerpowerbacki
ngupthatpower.
Thisi
sseri
ousBos
s..
.
”

“
SoifI
getthevis
ionwel
l,BayoandIar
etheChic
kens
,whi
leMadamLi
brai
sthedog,
andt
her
e
i
ssomeoneels
einthebackgroundwedon‟
tknow"

“I
thi
nks
o,t
hati
swhatmySpi
ri
tisabl
etodec
odef
romt
hatvi
si
on"

“Sowhatdowedo?”

“Wehavet
opr
ay"

“OkwhenandWher
e?”

“Li
kenow,thehuntermi
ghtkil
lthepr
eybefor
emorni
ng.
Canyouc
omeovert
omyhous
e.
Besi
deswherewereyouplanni
ngtosl
eeptoni
ght
?”

“
Nowher
e,bec
aus
easi
tseemsI
can‟
tret
urnt
othec
ars
alesbus
ines
sanymor
e"

“Youar
ewel
comet
ost
ayatmypl
ace,
Iamal
waysl
onel
yathome.

“Ar
eyous
eri
ous
?Yourpar
ent
swon‟
tmi
nd?”
“
Areyouki
ddi
ngmebos
s?Theyhavebeenwant
ingt
omeetyous
inc
efor
ever
"

“
ThanksChi
nedu,
Idon‟
tknowwhatI
didt
oGodt
odes
erveyou.
.
.”

“I
als
odon‟
tknowwhatI
didt
oGodt
odes
ervehavi
ngyoui
nmyl
if
etoo,
Bos
s"

Withthat
,Chineduki
cks
tar
tedhi
scar
,hehadmetupwi
thLef
tyc
los
etoBayo‟
spl
acewhenhe
cal
ledearl
ier
.

Hedr
ovet
hembac
ktohi
shous
e..
.

******

Bayosawthecarrevers
ing,
hehadbeenhopi
ngLeft
ywouldreturnandstr
engt
henhi
m.Hi
s
phonekeptr
ingi
ng, hewastoobr
okenandti
redt
opickupLi
bra‟scal
l.
..

“Ki
llyour
sel
f!Endi
t!Youar
eus
eles
s!Youar
efi
lt
hy,
Godhat
esyounow”

Bayokepthear
ingvoi
ces

******

Li
brawaspacingar
oundinherroomc umoffi
ce.Shehadonlyt
wohoursleft.
Shekept
wonderi
ngwhyBayowasnotpi cki
ngup.ShecheckedherSTARSEARCHER, therewasno
not
ifi
cat
ion.
.Twodif
fer
entemotionsweretuggi
ngatherheart
.Onewast hatofangerthather
gamewasnotpicki
nghiscal
l,s
hewasnotdonewi t
hsappi
nghim,shewasgoi ngfora

SHENANI
GANf
airt
hatni
ghtands
heneededonemor
erel
eas
eofs
emen.

Theotheremot
iont
uggi
ngatherhear
twast
hatofLove.
Shef
ear
edi
fsomet
hinghadgone
wrongwithhi
m.

******

Adal
aidonherbedt
hinki
ngaboutwhatMadamLi
brahads
aidear
li
eraboutherwayof
dr
ess
ing.
.
.Shes
uddenl
yremember
edwher
eshewasc
omi
ngf
rom.
.
.

“
God,IhopeIamnotbacks
lidi
ng,
IfI
ambac
ksl
idi
ngpl
eas
eletmeknow,
soI
canr
etr
acemy
s
tepsontime"Adaquer
ied

TheStarSEARCHERs entanoti
fi
cati
on,Li
brar
ushedtowar
dst
hestars
earcher
,butshewas
dis
appoint
edwheni tdidn‟
thaveanythi
ngtodowit
hBayobutwi
thAda.Shecli
ckedonitf
or
moreinfor
mation.
.
.

“Yourgamei
saboutt
ocomet
ohers
ens
es"

“ThankyouSt
arSEARCHER.
.
.”Li
bras
aid

Shedas
hedoutoft
heof
fi
cet
owar
dsAda‟
sroom.

******

Adahear
dtheknoc
konherr
oomdoor
,shegues
sedi
twasMor
ayo.

“Thedoori
sopen"

Shehurri
edl
ys atupwhenshenot
icedi
twasLibr
a.ThoughLi
brahadmadeher
sel
fac
ces
sibl
eto
them,Adast
illsawherast
heBigWomans hewas..
.

“Aunt
y,youneeds
omet
hing“

“Notr
eal
ly,
Iamhavi
ngt
roubl
esl
eepi
ng“

“Whyma?

“YOU!
”
“
Me?”Adaas
kedver
ysur
pri
sed

“Ada,
youhavebeengi
vingmes
leepl
essni
ght
s"

Ada‟
sheartrac
ehadi
ncr
eas
ed,
shewonder
edwhats
hewasdoi
ngt
ogi
veMadamLi
bra
sl
eepl
essnight

“Whatdi
dIdowr
ong“

“Not
hingDear
,thet
hingi
syouar
edoi
ngever
ythi
ngr
ightandt
hat
‟swhyI
ami
ndi
lemma“

“WhatDi
lemma?”

“Ada,Iamsobless
edI canaff
ordtosendyouabroadforyourUnivers
ityeducat
ionbecaus
eI
haveseenyouri
ntell
igenceandeventhefeedbac
ksIhavegottenfromt heownerofthe
coachi
ngcenter
,butAdaI amscared.
.
.“

“I
Sti
lldon‟
tunder
standma"

“OK..
.YouknowIpromisedtosponsoryouandMor
ayot
hroughyourUni
ver
sit
yeduc
ati
oni
n
Niger
ia,butf
ordaysyourthoughthavebeen

haunt
ingmyni
ght
s,I
keephear
ingi
nmyhear
tthatI
shoul
dsendyouabr
oad.

Ihadt ocheckf
orschoolsi
nthepasttwodays,
andt
hec
heapests
chools
ofarc
ostaboutTwent
y
Mill
ionNai r
aannual
lyforyourf
ouryears
tudy.
..
SoI
aminadi
lemmaastowhetherIs
hould
i
nves tthatmuchinyou.
Morayot
oldmeyouwouldl
ovetobeadoctor
. I
wast
hinki
ngI
coul
dinves
tinyou,
sendyou
abr
oadandonyourr
etur
n,Ibui
ldyouahos
pital.

Whateverthehos
pit
almakes,
yougiveme30% andyoucantake70%.
..
.
Butmyf eari
sIhopeyou
won‟tbetr
ayme,Ihavehel
pedalotofpeopl
eandtheyt
urnagains
tme,Idon‟
tknowifIhavea
cur
seovermyhead,I.
..
.”

Adawashar dlybr
eathinganymore,shec ouldn‟
tbeli
eveat otalst
r angerwasabouttochange
herl
if
e.Ithadalwaysbeenherdr eamt ohaveherUni vers
ityeducat i
onabroadbutitwasjusta
meredream. Adarus
hedt owardsLibra,hugginghertight
lyandgi vingLibr
athecommi t
ment
shewanted.Shewant edAdatoformac ovenantwithherbytheWor dofmouth,
toensureAda
does
n‟tleaveheruntilshewasdonewi thherandt akenhergl or
y.

“AuntyLi
bra,Ipr
omiseyou,
Iwon‟
tdi
ssappoi
ntyou,
youownme,
Meandyou,
wear
efor
ever
ooo,Aunt
yI pr
omiseyou"

Li
bras
mil
ed.
.
..

Tobec
ont
inued….

[
29/
06,
4:56pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART50

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Chi
nedu‟
shous
elookedl
ikeapal
ace,
Theymethi
sPar
ent
‟sabs
enc
e.

Chi
neduus
her
edLef
tytohisroom.LeftywashumbledbyChi
nedu‟sHumi
li
ty.
Lef
tyknewHe
wasfr
omawealt
hyhome,butitneveroccur
redtohimthemagni
tude.

Chinedu‟
sroomhadever
ythi
ng.Hi
sbedr
oomwaslikea2bedroomflat
.Hi
sclos
etwasfi
ll
edt
o
thebrimwithc
lot
hesandshoes
.Hehadamini
Kit
chen,hi
stoi
letwasli
keabedroom.
“
Chi
nedu,
yourhouseishuge.
..
Idon‟
tknowifI
amevenus
ingt
her
ightwor
d..
Wow.
.
.Andout
t
her
eonthefi
eld,youdon‟tl
ookli
kethi
s.
”

“Wealt
hisnotallt
hatist
ous
,bes
ideshavi
ngmoneyi
sapr
ivi
lege,
andt
hegr
eat
estpr
ivi
legei
s
theabi
li
tyt
os pendit
.“

“Chi
nedu,
CanYoubehones
twi
thme?”

“About
?”

“Whyar
eyoui
nter
est
edi
nme?”

Chi
nedul
aughed.
.
.

“Bos
s ,
whenthechil
drenofGoddonothel
pthec
hil
drenofGod,
thedevi
lof
fer
sthec
hil
drenof
Godfakeanddes
truct
ivebl
essi
ngs.

WhenI
joi
nedt
het
eamands
awhowGr
acedyouar
e,I
tol
dmys
elfI
wasgoi
ngt
ous
ethe

res
ourcesGodhadblessedmethr
oughmyPar ent
stohelpyouac
hievet
hatgr
eatnes
sGod
wantsyoutoachi
eve,becaus
eIdi
dn‟twantSt
arhunter
sliket
heLadywetal
kedaboutt
ogett
o
youfi
rst"

“SoI
aml
ikeapr
ojec
ttoyou?”Lef
tyas
ked

“Let
‟ss
ay,
Idec
idedt
oser
veGodt
hroughyou.
“

“Hmm...
thankyou,
basedonwhatyouj
usts
aid,
Iambegi
nni
ngt
oseeMr
.Wi
sdom‟
sof
fert
o
Mayor
scourtasascam.”
“I
tol
dyoui
tcoul
dbeas
camwhenyout
oldmei
nGer
many"

“I
fthi
sLibraisastarhunterl
ikethevis
ionyouhad,orifsheisbeingusedbys omeonet ohunt
downpeople‟sst
ars,andwegott oknowherthroughMr .Wisdom, I
sitpossi
bletheyallwere
worki
ngtogether?MaybeMor ayowasac t
uall
yas etup.Maybet heyposi
ti
onedhert olureme
i
ntosex.
I knewit,Iwasunderastrongfor
ce.Iwascontroll
ed..
.SotheMor ayogirli
sevil

t
oo!
”

“SlowdownBoss,
shemaybeavicti
maswell,I
fshewasanagent,
shewon‟tbepregnantf
or
you.St
arhunt
ersj
ustt
akepeopl
e‟sglor
ythr
oughsexandmoveon..
.”Chi
nedus
aid

“I
amgoingtobl
ockbot
hoft
hemf
romr
eac
hingme.
ThatEvi
lwomanmus
tbet
hehunt
er,
whi
le
Morayot
hedog.
.”

“I
fyoubl
ockt
hem,
espec
ial
lyt
hegi
rl
,whathappenst
oyourunbor
nchi
ld?”

Chi
neduj
ustas
kedaques
tionhehadnoans
wert
o.

****

“Bayo!Tal
ktome,
Whati
swr
omgwi
thyou?”Li
braas
ked,
whenBayoevent
ual
lypi
ckedup

“Not
hing,
Idon‟
twantt
odoi
tanymor
e,I
don‟
tfeell
ikemeanymor
e,EvenLef
tys
aid.
.
”

“Lef
ty?”
“Yes,hewasher
eandhesawt
heter
ribl
ethi
ngsIhavebeendoi
ng.
Lef
tywaspr
eac
hingt
ome,
canyouimagi
nethat
?Itus
edt
obetherever
se.
“

“Oh!Lef
tyi
sbac
k?”Li
brawass
hoc
kedhewasbac
kandhedi
dn‟
tcal
lher
.

“
Yes
”

“Howi
shedoi
ng?”

“Fi
ne,
ther
ichguyi
shel
pinghi
m"

“Whi
chr
ichguy?”

“Theonewhos
pons
oredhi
sGer
manyt
rai
ning"

“Ohok"

“Li
bra,
Ineedust
ost
opwhatwear
edoi
ngandI
needt
ogetbac
konmyf
eet
.Goodni
ght
!”

Bayoendedt
hec
all
.Hewasr
unni
ngc
raz
yandheneededhel
p..
Hehadt
ocal
lLef
ty.
.

*****

Libr
asatsti
llf
orsomemi nut
es,shewasi
npain.
Shewastryi
ngtot
hinkofwhic
hpai
nwaswors
e,
thepainf
romt hereal
it
ythatshewasaboutl
osi
ngLef
tyandBayoorwasitt
hepai
nofBayo
breaki
ngupwi thhert
ruesel
f.

Onet
hingwass
ure,
shec
oul
dn‟
tlos
eonbot
hsi
des
.Shec
oul
dlos
ewhat
everemot
ionalt
hing
shethoughtt
heyhadgoingbewtweent
hem,
butshecoul
dn‟
tlos
et hemoneys
heinvestedon
Left
y.ShehadgivenWis
domFivehundr
edMi
lli
on,
als
oherphysi
calcas
hfromthecarbusi
ness
waswithhim..
.Never
!

Mor
ayo!

Hernamec
lic
ked.

Shehadt
ogett
oherf
irs
tbef
oreLef
tydi
d..

Li
brar
acedoutoft
her
oomt
oMor
ayo‟
sroom.

******

“
Ishoul
dcal
lherandas
kheraf
ewques
tions“Lef
tys
aidc
onc
erni
ngMor
ayo.

“Youdon‟
tneedt
hat
,thr
oughpr
ayer
,Bos
swewi
llknowt
het
rues
ituat
ionoft
hings
"

“OK!
”

Lef
ty‟
sphoner
angandonc
hec
kingt
heI
D,hewass
hoc
kedt
oseeBayo‟
sname

“Hel
loBayo"

“Lef
tyhel
pme,
Iamdyi
ng.
.
Libr
ahaski
ll
edme"Bayos
aids
obbi
ng

“Bayo.
.
.Bayo.
.Cal
mdown,
Wher
ear
eyou?”

“Home!
”
“Whatdi
dLi
brado?”

“J
ustc
omeover
,Iwi
llexpl
ainever
ythi
ngwhenyougether
e".

*****

“AuntLibra,
Areyouokay?”Libr
awass eat
edinMorayo‟
sroomweepingl
ikeababy.
Shehad
beenaskingherwhatwaswr ongforal
mos tf
ivemi
nutesbutLi
brawascr
yingpr
ofus
elyi
nst
ead.

“Ibet
tergogetAda!
”Morayosai
dasshewentoutofther
oom.Li
braqui
ckl
ychec
kedMor
ayo‟
s
phoneforLef
ty‟
snumber
. Shebl
ockedhi
snumberfromcal
li
ngher.

Notl
ongaf
ters
hehadpl
acedt
hephoneont
hebed,
AdaandMor
ayor
ushedi
ntot
her
oom.

“Aunt
y,whati
swr
ong?”

“Whyi
sitt
hatpeopl
ebet
rayme?AmI
cur
sedors
omet
hing?”

„Whati
sit
?”

“BayoandLef
ty!
”

Mor
ayoandAdaexc
hangedl
ooks
.

“Whatdi
dtheydo?”

“YouknowI
gaveLef
tys
omemoneyt
ost
arthi
scarbus
ines
s"
“Yesma"

“Whenhewasabouttot
ravelf
orhistr
aining,
I askedhi
mf ort
hemoney,
buthet
oldmehewi
ll
sendi
t.Hel
eftt
hecount
ryandIthoughtitescapedhismind“

“Buthet
oldmeyous
aidhes
houl
dhol
dont
oitf
orawhi
le“Mor
ayos
aid

“Hes
aidt
hatt
oyou!
”

“Yes
!Hecal
ledmeabout4ti
mesf r
omGer
many.
Hepr
omi
sedt
oevenc
allt
odayort
omor
rowas
hewoul
dber et
urni
ngt
hisweekend.
”

“Pleasedon‟tpic
khisc al
lagai
n,heandhisf
riendsar
ewickedpeopl
e,Youdes
ervebet
ter
,onc
e
yougivebirt
ht ohisbaby,gi
vethebabyout,soyoucans
tartagoodli
fe.

“Butwhatdi
dtheydot
oni
ghtt
omakeyouc
ry?”Mor
ayoas
ked.
Shewasnotl
ett
inghergoof
f
thehookt
hateasi
ly

“Bayocal
ledmes
ayi
ngt
heydon‟
twantt
ohaveanyt
hingt
odowi
thmeanymor
e.Gi
rl
sist
hat
fai
r?.
”

Morayos
hookherheadi
nthenegat
ive.
Theper
sonLi
brawast
alki
ngaboutdi
dnots
oundl
ike
Lef
ty.

“Ial
waysknewthatguywasnogood"Adasaid.
Theal
legi
anc
esheswor
etoLibr
asomehour
s
backwasspeaki
ng.
“Ma,Godwil
lcoll
ectyourmoneyf
romhiminJes
usname"Adasai
d

Li
bras
toodupandl
eftt
her
oom,
shehadac
hievedwhats
hewant
ed.
*****

“Shetol
dmes hefel
tsomethingf
ormeandnowI ambeginni
ngtothi
nkitwasal
lal
ie.
She
luredmeint
oMasturbat
ing.
”Bayosai
dcryi
ng.Lef
tyandChi
neduwereseat
edwit
hhimint
he
room.Chi
neduhadinsi
stedhewascomingwit
hLefty.

“Lef
typrayf
orme, I
knowwhatMas tur
bat
iondoes,
its
apsamandr
yofvirt
ues.Lef
ty,
Ithink
Libr
a'sweal
thi
snotc l
ean,maybes
heisoneofthos
ewhousest
hevir
tuesofot
herstoprosper
.
Whati fs
hedec
eivedmei nt
o

mas
tur
bat
ings
oast
odr
ainvi
rtuesf
romme?

Doest
hatmeanI
havebeenempt
ied?”Bayokeptt
alki
ng

“Bi
gbros,t
her
eisnothi
nglostt
hatc
annotbef
ound,
youj
usthavet
ogobac
kthewayyou
pas
sed,youwi
lldef
ini
tel
yfindi
t.
”

“Al
lthevi
rtuesI
havel
ostt
hroughMas
tur
bat
ion,
Icangeti
tbac
k?”Bayo

askedagain.
Hewasbeginni
ngt
osoundl
ikeababyi
nChr
ist
.Hec
oul
dnoti
magi
nehowi
njus
t
onemont hhecr
ashed.

“YesBigBros
..
.GodisAGodofRec
overy.
Aslongaswecanpr
aytoourf
ather.
Checki
tout
,ifyou
giveyourc
hil
dadonutandsomeoneyouknowsteal
sitf
romhim,
ift
hatchi
ldcomest
oreportto
you,whatwouldyoudo?”

“I
Wil
lri
seandr
ecovermys
on‟
sdonutf
romt
heper
son"

“Exac
tly,
soi
t‟
sti
met
orepor
tyours
ituat
iont
oGod"

“I
als
omus
trec
overmyc
hil
d,I
won‟
tlethers
ellmyc
hil
d.Onl
yGodknowswhos
hepl
anson
s
ell
ingi
tto"Lef
tys
aid

“Ar
eyous
ures
hewant
stos
ellt
hec
hil
dorki
llt
hec
hil
dforr
itual
s?”Bayos
aid

Chi
neduandLef
tyexc
hangedl
ooks
..

“LetusPr
ay!
”Chi
nedus
aid.

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:56pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART51

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Morayolai
dont hebedconfused,s
hewasn‟
tsurewhatt
obel
ieve.
MadamLi
brahadt
oldher
somethi
ngc omplet
elydi
fferentf
romwhatLef
tyhadtol
dher
.

“God,
Whatishappeni
ng?”Mor
ayos
aid.
Shewasoneoft
hos
ewhoc
all
edGodwhenevert
her
e
wasfi
reont
hemount ai
n.

******

“Fi
rstl
y,Iwantustohideourmeeti
ngintheBloodofJes
us,Let
‟sbuil
dawal loff
irearoundus,
sothatsatani
cmir
rorsandSatani
cgadgetswon‟tbeabl
etodetectusorhearourprayers.
.
..
”
Chi
nedus aid.

BayoandLef
tybegant
opr
ayvi
gor
ous
ly.

“Bi
bleStatesthati
fmypeopl
ewhoarecal
ledbymynamewillhumbl
ethems
elvesandprayand
seekmyf aceandturnf
romthei
rwi
ckedways,I
wil
lhearf
romheavenandwi
llf
orgi
vetheirs
ins
andrest
or ethei
r
l
and.
.
.Res
tor
ati
oni
sapr
oduc
tofr
epent
anc
e,pr
ayerandt
urni
ngawayf
romt
heevi
lway.
.

Thatist
osay,
Firs
tthi
ngsf
irs
tisf
orust
oas
kforf
orgi
venes
sforar
easyouhaves
innedont
his
jour
neywit
hthisWoman.
”

Leftyt
houghtbac
ktohowitalls
tar
ted,
her
ememberedtheLordhadt r
iedwarni
nghimtheday
hewast oseeMr.
Wisdom.Heremember
edt
herevel
ati
onaboutleavi
ngt hemai
nroadand
fol
lowingamantoafiel
dthat

bec
ameac
age.
Hes
houl
dhaveknownt
hatwasGodSpeaki
ng.
.
.

“Father,
forgi
vemef ort
ryingtot
akethes
hor
tcuttosuces
s,l
it
tledidI
knowitwasatmylocal
fi
eldthatyouhadpreparedables
singf
ormei
nt hepers
onofChinedu,
for
givemeforwi
ll
ingly
enteri
ngthecageofdarkness"

Bayoontheot
herhandknewwherehi
spr
oblems t
art
edfrom,
heneveras
kedGodifheoughtt
o
havegonei
nsear
chofhisfr
iendi
nMr.
Wisdom‟shouse.
Maybeheoughttohavef
oughtthe
batt
lefr
omadist
ance.
..

“Father,
forgi
vemeforass umingyouwantedmetogosavemyf
riendwhenhes entmethatt
ext
,
Ididn‟
tpausetoaskyouIfI shoul
dgoornot,nowt
heonewhowantedtosavehasbecomethe
preytoo,pl
easef
atherforgiveme

i
nJes
usName“

Chineduwasbus
ybl as
tingi
ntongues
,al
lofas
udden,
hes
awaf
atel
der
lywoman(
Madam
Evelyn)
.Hedi
dn‟tknowwhos hewas.

“AMEN!I
tist
imet
ogot
othes
econds
tageac
cor
dingt
othats
cri
ptur
e,Wehaver
epent
ed,
it‟
s
ti
metopr
ay..
.
”

Lef
tyandBayower
ereadyt
opr
ay.
.
.
“Bac
kboneoft
hebat
tlesf
ight
ingme,
bepar
alyz
edi
nJes
usname"
.

TheLordhadlai
dthatpr
ayerinhi
sheartasMadamEvelynwastheSpiri
tualbackboneoft
heal
l
theSHENANIGANAgentsandbeforeanyonecoul
dtackl
eanyoftheagentstheyhadtopass
throughher
.Chi
neduwasjustcal
li
ngouttheprayer
sastheHol
ySpir
itl
aidinhisheart.
.
.

******

MadamEvelynwasprepar
ingfort
heSHENANIGANfai
r.Shewasi
nhercanopy.
Shehadbeen
wai
tingf
orLibr
a.Shehadtol
dhershewascomingf
orthefai
rtos
ellt
hesemenofBayo.

Shedi
aledLi
bra‟
snumber
..
.

“Hel
loLi
bra,
wher
ear
eyou?”

“I
Wil
lber
unni
ngl
atemot
her
,thegamehasnotgi
venmet
oday‟
ssemen.
”

“Why?”

“I
amat
tendi
ngt
oitmum,
Ijus
thadami
nors
etbac
k.

“OK.
.
..
buti
fyoudon‟
tgett
oday‟
sown,
comewi
thwhatyouhavewi
thyou.

Today‟
sownwon‟
tmakemuc
hofadi
ff
erenc
e“

“I
twillmum,t
oday‟
spor
tioni
swhatoughtt
ofi
llt
hebot
tleup.
Ipr
omi
sedmybuyeri
twasa
bot
tleful
l.
”

“OK,
dowhatyouhavet
odoandgetdownher
e".

MadamEvel
yndr
oppedherc
all
,ands
hebegant
ofeeluneas
y.
Si
mul
taneous
ly,
herSt
arSear
chernot
if
iedherofas
ituat
ion.
Shet
appedont
henot
if
icat
ion.
.
.

“Li
bra‟
spr
eysar
eaboutt
ober
esc
ued"

Evel
ynhadt
headdedadvant
ageofs
eei
ngwher
ethei
nter
rupt
ionwasc
omi
ngf
rom.

Shet
appedon“REVEAL"
.Ins
teadofs
eei
nganyone,
alls
hes
awwasawal
loff
ire.

*****

“Backboneoft
hebattl
esf
ight
ingme,
breakandbepar
alyz
edi
nJes
usname"Lef
ty,
Bayoand
Chi
nedukeptfi
ringon.

*****

MadamEvel ynfeltasharppai
natherbac
k.Shemadeanattempttor
iseup,
butitwas
impos
sibl
e.Shes atbackint
othechai
rthi
nki
ngprobabl
yshehadsatf
ortoolong.
Shemadet
he
att
emptas econdt i
me,itwasthes
ame.

******

“Hi
jac
ker
sofGlor
y,t
hathavehij
ackedmyglor
yorar
eabouttohij
ack, r
eceivethet
hunderof
Godandr
eleas
emygloryi
nJ es
usName..
.”Chi
neduc
all
edanotherprayerpoint

*******

Libr
awaslooki
ngt
hroughoneofheri
ncant
ati
onsbooks.
Shewaslooki
ngf
orani
ncant
ati
ons
he
couldus
eonBayo,
sohec oul
dperf
ormtheactonemoreti
meforher.
..
,

Suddenly,
sheheardthesoundoft
hunderandt
hebottl
ewhereshehadpl
acedt
hes
emenf
ellt
o
thegroundandbrokeandbefor
eLibr
a‟sver
yeyes
,thesemendr
iedup.

Li
bras
toodl
ooki
ngdumbf
ounded.
.
.

“Whatj
usthappened?”

******
“Myst
ar,
mygl
ory,
myvi
rtuesi
nthehandoft
heenemy,
Ari
seandl
ocat
emenowi
nJes
us
name.
.
.

*******

Li
brawasmad, i
twasobviousshehadlos
tBayoandLef ty,andifs
hewas n‟
tfastabouti
t,Left
y
wouldcomeforthebaby.
..Li
brarant
owar dsMor
ayo‟sroom. Shedidn‟
tknowwhats hewas
goi
ngtodo,butsheneededthebloodofthebabythatnight.Shedidn‟
thaveenoughtimet o
waitt
il
ldel
iver
y.

*******

“
Plansoft
hewi
ckedt
oempt
ymydes
tiny,
bef
rus
trat
edi
ntheNameofJ
esus
"

********

Morayohear
daknockagai
nonherdoor
,atthatpoi
ntshewasbegi
nni
ngt
ogets
car
edand
uneasyi
nthehous
e.Shedi
dn‟
tknowwhot obeli
eveanymore.

“Mor
ayo,
ther
eisbi
gtr
oubl
e!”

“Whati
sit
?”

“Iwass obotheredaboutLefty‟
sbehaviourthatIcal
ledoneofmyPas t
orstoprayenqui
ry
prayersonLefty,youshouldhearwhatthemans ai
d.Hes ai
dLeft
yhasj oi
nedac ul
tand
presentl
yhehasbeenas kedtosacr
ifi
cehisblood.Morayo,hei
scomi ngforyou,hewil
lwantt
o
sacri
fi
cethepr egnanc
yi nyouandinvari
ablyyouwi l
lgoforitt
oo..
.”

Mor
ayos
teppedbac
k..
.

“
Whatwass
hes
ayi
ng?”Mor
ayoas
kedher
sel
f

AdahadheardLi
bra‟
svoi
ce.
Shej
oinedt
hemi
nther
oom.
Shes
awMor
ayol
ooki
ngl
ikes
hehad
j
ustseenaghost
..
.
“Whati
sit
?”

Li
brar
epeat
edt
hel
iet
oAda.

“That
‟snotpos
sibl
e.”Adas
aid

“Ar
eyous
ayi
ngI
amt
ell
ingl
ies
?”Li
brac
hal
lengedAda.

Ada'
sal
legi
anc
ecamet
opl
ayagai
n.

“Noma!Buti
fthati
sthec
ase,
weneedt
ogos
eeas
trongmanofGod.
”

“Yes
,wewi
lls
eehi
maf
terwehavedonewhatheas
kedust
odo"

“Who?”

“ThePas
torwhor
eveal
edt
hepl
an”

“Whatdi
dheas
kust
odo?”

“Hesai
dyoushouldt
erminat
ethepregnancy,
becausewhent heevi
lspi
ri
tcomesl
ooki
ngf
orhi
s
bl
oodinsi
deyou,
itwi
llt
akebothyourli
feandthatofthebaby..
.
”

Mor
ayowoul
dhaveneverexpec
tedt
het
urnofevent
s.Madamwast
heoneagai
nstabor
tion.
.
.

“I
KnowI
amagai
nstabor
tionbutyourl
if
eisver
yimpor
tantatt
hemomentorwhatdoyout
hink
Ada?”Li
braknews
hehadAdai
nher

c
orner
..
.

“Ye.
.
Yes
..
.ma"Adas
tut
err
ed.
.
.Hert
rut
hhadbeenbought
.

“Power
soff
eringmeDustf
ormyGol
d,I
cannotbeDECI
EVED,
eatyourdus
tinJ
esusName"Ada
hear
dtheprayerl
oudandc
leari
n

herhear
t..
.

Thatmadehert
akeapaus
eands
hemovedbac
k..
.

“Soar
eyous
ayi
ngs
hes
houl
dabor
tthepr
egnanc
ytoni
ght
?”Adaas
ked

“YES!I
mmedi
atel
y..
.
IhaveaDoc
torf
riendwhoc
andoac
leanj
ob"Li
bras
aid.

Adawastryi
ngt
obuyti
me,sos
hecoul
dunderst
andt heprayert
hatdr
oppedi
nherhear
t.“
Who
wasof
fer
ingwhodus
tinexc
hangef
ortheper
son'sgold?”

******

“TheSpi
ri
toft
heLor
dsayswes
houl
dint
ens
ifymor
e..
.
.Let
‟spr
ayt
his
..
.

Powerpl
anni
ngt
oki
llmygr
eat
nes
s,ki
llyour
sel
finJ
esusNamename"Chi
nedus
aid

Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:57pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART52

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

“Aunt
y,I
knowiti
sfearandl
oveforMorayospeaki
ngrightnow,
butI
don‟
tthi
nkwes
houl
dleti
t
pushusi
ntoc
ommi t
tingmurder
,Abor
tionismurder.
.
.”
“Evenwhent
hepr
egnanc
ythr
eat
enst
hel
if
eoft
hemot
her
?”Li
braas
ked

“
Aunt
y,Letuspr
ayt
il
ldaybr
eak.
.
.What
everGodt
ell
sust
odo,
wewi
lldo.

Weshouldnotbeaf r
aidofwhatameremanl i
keLef
tycandoandsinagai
nsttheGreatGod.
Bi
blesays,
thosethatknowtheirGods
hallbestr
ongandtheyshal
ldoExpl
oit
s .
OurGodc annot
l
etLef
t yki
llMorayoandthebaby,I
fwetarryi
nHisPres
ence.
”Adasai
d

“OKOOO,Ass
istantHol
ySpi
ri
t.
..
TothinkI
wasplanni
ngtoflyyoubothtoAmer
icai
mmedi
atel
y
af
tert
heabor
tionsoyoucangostar
tyourli
fet
here.
.
.”Li
brasaidangr
il
y.

Andt
hatwast
hemomenti
tal
lconnec
tedi
ntheSpi
ri
tforAda.
Dus
tforGol
d..
.
.

Hertr
uthaboutGod‟sstandardwasherGold,
AuntyLibr
awasoff
eri
nghereducati
onabroadt
o
havecont
roloverhert
ruth.Sheandhercousi
n‟swif
e;Osasmus
tbec onnec
tedsomehow.Ada
rememberedherdreamabout

nurt
uri
ngadogt
il
lshehadherpuppi
es,
thent
heowner
soft
hedogswoul
dsel
loreatt
he
puppi
es.

Adareal
izedt
hegame;WisdomandOs ascoul
dnotconvi
ncethemtoabortt
hepr egnancy,t
hey
pass
edtheworktoAuntLibr
awhonurturedthemforawhil
etogaint
heirtr
ustjustliket
hedog
tr
ustedherowner
s.Aunt
yLibrawai
tedfortheri
ghtt
imetobringupt
hetopicofkill
ingthebaby.

Adasteppedbac
kasLi
brawasangr
il
yst
eppi
ngoutoft
her
oom.
Theyneededt
orunf
ort
hei
r
l
ives
..
.

“
Morayo,pl
easeli
s t
entome,youarenotgoi
ngt
oabortt
hepr egnanc
y,andnot
hingwillhappen
t
oyou.Idon‟tbel
ievewhats
heissayi
ng.MySpi
ri
tdoesnotagreewithki
ll
ingt
hisbaby.”
Mor
ayol
ookedatAdaf
ort
hef
irs
tti
me.
.
.

“I
don‟
tal
sobel
ievei
t.Lef
tyi
sagoodper
son"

“I
don‟
tknowaboutt
hat
,butwhatI
knowi
sthatyous
houl
dnotabor
tthepr
egnanc
y”******

Ast
heywer
epr
ayi
ng,
Lef
ty‟
seyeswer
eopened.
Hes
awMor
ayot
iedt
oa

t
reeandLi
braandamanwer
ecut
tinghers
tomac
hopent
otakeoutt
hebaby.

“J
esus
!”Lef
tys
hout
edi
nbet
weent
hepr
ayer
..
.

“Whati
sit
?”Chi
neduas
ked

“Ithi
nkthegir
lisr
eal
lyavi
cti
mli
keme,
Isawherbei
ngt
iedt
oas
tic
kandt
heyt
aki
ngt
hebaby
outofher.
.
.”

“Thenshemus tbeindanger,wemustprayf
orher.
Shemustgetoutofther
e.Rememberwhen
PeterwasinPri
son,thebret
hreni
nterc
eededforHi
mandtheAngeloftheLordbroughthi
mout
ofthePri
son.
”Chinedu

s
aid.

“Letmegi
veherac
all
,Ipr
omi
sedt
ocal
lherwhenI
arr
ive"Lef
tys
aid

“OK,butl
etusc
onc
ludeourpr
ayer
s.Wemus
tal
soas
kfordi
rec
tiononhowt
ogetyourc
hil
din
thel
ongrun.
”

******

Libr
ahadtoc
allhermothertotel
lher,s
hecoul
dn‟tmakei
tforthefai
r,buts
hewasmetwi
th
therudes
hockthathermotherhadbeenrus
hedtothehos
pital
.Shehadas t
roke.
.
.

*******

Adapac
edaroundi
nMorayo‟
sroomsingi
ngWor s
hiptoGod,sheknews
hehadgonef
arf
rom
God,
butSheknewi
twasnevertool
atetogetbacktoGod.
..
“Father
,haveMer
cyonme.
.
.HaveMer
cyonMor
ayoandI
,Lor
dOpenoureyest
oknowt
het
rue
si
tuati
onofthi
ngs
”

******

“
Thankyoumybr
other
,thankyouf
ors
har
peni
ngmyI
ront
oni
ght
.”Bayos
aidt
oChi
nedu

“Wegi
veGodpr
ais
e!”

“Yous
houl
dbeonyourway,
bec
aus
eit
‟sget
tingl
ate"Lef
tys
aidt
oChi
nedu

“
Youar
est
ayi
ngbac
k?”Chi
neduas
kedLef
ty

“Yeah,
sincemybrot
herisbac
k,I
shoul
dst
aywi
thhi
m,t
hemanI
metear
li
erwasnotmy
brot
her.
”Left
ysai
dlaughi
ng

“Ver
ywellt
hen,I
willbr
ingyourbagi
nthemor
ning,
oryouc
oul
dcomepi
cki
tup,
thatwayyou
canseemypar
ents.
”

“Ok!
”.
..

SEVENMONTHSLATER.
.
..
.

Chi
nedu,
Lef
tyandBayonevermi
ssedonedayofVi
gilf
ort
hes
evenmont
hs.

Godexpr es
slyt
oldt
hemt ostayputandpr
ay.Theyweret
oldnott
oreachouttoMorayoand
Li
br a.
Bayowasabletoover
comet heMast
urbati
on.Hest
ruggl
edatfi
rstbutBi
bleReadi
ngand
prayershel
pedalot
.Anyti
mehe

hadt
heur
ge,
hewoul
dri
seupandpr
ayi
ntongues
.
Li
brahadnotbeenver
yacti
veinhergamehunt
ing,becaus
eofhermot
her
‟sheal
th.
The
par
alys
ishadaff
ect
edalotoforgansi
mpor
tant
lyherspeech.

Morayohadins
istedshewoul dkeepthepr
egnanc
yandnothi
ngwasgoingt
ohappent
oher.The
nextsevenmonthsafterthatni
ght,t
hetwogir
lst
ookt
heirChri
sti
anl
if
eser
ious
ly.
Morayokept
hopingLeft
ywouldcallher

s
omeday,
buti
tneverhappened.
Adahadc
ons
oledhert
ell
inghers
hewoul
dbef
ine.

Librahadgonebacktodef aultset
ting,s
hewasgoingtopatientl
ywai tforthear r
ivalofthebaby.
Librawasnotasfri
endlyass heusedt obetothegi
rls
,inf
actshehadwi t hdrawnherpl ansof
INTERNATIONALs ponsor
shipf r
omAdas ayi
ngshecouldnotgot hroughwi t
hi tanymor e.She
saidhermother‟
ss i
cknesswast aki
ngal otf
romherandf orthatreasons he

woul
donl
yhel
pthemwi
tht
hei
rac
ademi
csi
nthec
ount
ry.

Adaknewhermother
‟sil
lnes
shadnot hi
ngt odowi
thhert
akingbackheri
nter
nat
ionalof
fer
,
sheknewi
twasbecauseshestoodhergroundagai
nstt
heabort
ion.

Adahadonsever
aloc
cas
ionswant
edt
oleaveLi
bra'
spl
ace,
butwhenevers
hepr
ayed,
shewi
ll
hear“HOLDYOURPEACE&KNOWTHATI AMYOURGOD" .

Morayowasquitec
ooperat
ivewi
thAda,asAdakeptenc
ouragi
nghert
ell
ingherAunt
yLi
brawas
notthei
rgod,I
fAuntyLi
brawasnotgoi
ngtohelpthemanymoreGodwasgoi
ngtorai
seup
someoneelse.

Theyhadmadeupt hei
rmi
ndsthatregardl
esswhathappened,
therewasnoabort
ionandifi
t
meantherthrowi
ngthembac
kont hes t
reets
,theywouldgl
adlygo.Adapr
omisedMorayoto
standbyher.
.
.

Adaybef
oreMor
ayoputt
obed,
shehadas
trangedr
eam.
.
.
Morayosawher
sel
finac
our
troom,
sheas
kedwhatherof
fenc
ewas
,ands
hewast
olds
heki
ll
ed
herchi
ld.
..

“No,
Icar
riedhert
oter
m"Mor
ayodeni
ed

“Sowher
eiss
he?”Oneoft
heLawyer
sas
ked

Mor
ayol
ookedaroundherands
awnobaby,
theni
nther
evel
ati
ons
heappear
edt
ohave
r
ememberedsomethi
ng.
..

“Oh,
Igaveherupf
oradopt
ion"

“Towho?Whoar
ethenewpar
ent
s?”

“I
don‟
tknow,
Aunt
yLi
braknows
”

“Howpat
heti
c,amot
herdoesnotknowwhereherchi
ldwastakent
o.Yourhonour,
Iputi
tto
yout
hatt
hisl
adyher
eisres
ponsi
blefort
hedeathofherc
hil
d"

TheJ
udgel
ookedatherands
hookhi
shead.
.
.

“Youweregivenagift,thoughi
twasatawrongt
imi
ngbecauseofyourcar
eless
nes
s,youfai
led
toprot
ectyourchil
d,yougavehertothos
ewhoateher
.Thi
sismyJ udgement,
youarether
eby
sent
encedtoalifewithoutany

ot
herc
hil
dren,
fort
hemi
smanagementandc
arel
ess
nes
soft
heonegi
vent
oyou"

“Noooooo"Mor
ayos
creamed.
.
.
Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:58pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART53

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Adawhohads
tar
teds
leepi
ngnextt
oMor
ayof
ors
omemont
hswokeupatt
hes
creamof
Morayo.
.
.

“
Whati
sit
?”

“I
hadadr
eam?”

*******

Lef
tyopenedhi
seyess
har
ply,
hel
ookedt
ohi
ssi
de,
Bayowass
til
lsl
eepi
ng.

Hewokeupf
romaver
yter
ribl
edr
eam,
seei
ngMor
ayoi
ntear
s..
.
.

“God,
yout
oldmenott
oreac
houtt
oher
,whyt
hisr
evel
ati
onagai
n?”

“I
tist
imet
oreac
hout
!”Lef
tyhear
dthewor
dsl
oudandc
lear
..
.

Lef
tyj
umpedupf
romt
hebedandr
ushedoutt
oChi
nedu‟
sroom.

Thes evenmont hshadbeengoodt oLeftyandBayo.Chineduhadof feredhisplacetothem.His

parentshadbeenver yrecepti
vet othem. Lef
tyhadreturnedtohisLoc alclub.HeandChinedu
wentf ortraini
ngst ogether,andChi nedutookhisbenevolencefurtherbygi vi
nghimsome
moneyt ocontinuet hecarbus i
nessont hes i
de.
Wi t
hPr ayers,
Leftywasdoi ngwellinhis
business,Chinedu‟sf at
herc onnectedhimt osomeofhi sfri
ends.
Wi thi
nt hatsevenmonths,he
hadmades omuc hmoneyt hatLibra‟smoneywasj ustadr opofit
.

“Chi
nedu,
Gods
aidi
tist
imet
oreac
hout
.Ihadadr
eamofs
eei
ngMor
ayoc
ryi
ngandHet
oldme
i
twast
imet
oreac
hout
.”Lef
tys
aidex
cit
edl
yasChi
nedur
oseupf
roms
leep.
.

“OK,
ifHehass
aids
o,Let
‟sdoi
t!
”

Left
ybroughtouthi
sphoneandfort
hef
irs
tti
meinsevenmont
hshedi
aledhernumber
.He
hopedoneday,hewouldbeabl
etomakesens
eoutofWhyGodtol
dhi
mnott oreac
houttoher
fort
hatlong.
..
.

Thenumberkeptdr
oppi
ng.
.
.

“I
sitr
ingi
ng?”Chi
neduas
ked

“No,
itkeepsdr
oppi
ng.
.
.Maybes
hei
snotus
ingt
hel
ineagai
n"

“
Pos
sibl
y,ors
hemayhavet
urnedi
tof
ffort
heni
ght
,gi
veheraboutanhour
"

Lef
tyf
eltl
ikehedi
dn‟
thaveanhour
,ther
ewasas
trongs
ens
eofur
genc
yonhi
m..
.

“
Iamgoi
ngt
oherDad‟
shous
e,maybehec
angi
vemeanumberheus
est
oreac
hher
"

“Bos
s,s
lowdown.
.
.”Chi
nedus
aid

“Chi
nedu,
ther
eisas
ens
eofur
genc
ythati
ssos
trongonme"

“Ok.
.
.thenyouc
an‟
tdr
ivet
hisway!
”Chi
nedus
toodupf
romhi
sbed.
“Iamc
omi
ngwi
thyou"

“Ok,
meetyoui
n10mi
nut
es"
Bytheti
meLeftygotbackintother oom, Bayowasawakeandonhisphonec
hatti
ng.
Bayohad
als
ometgoodfortunethroughChinedu. Chinedu‟
sfat
herhadhel
pedhimsecur
eabetter
banki
ngjob.
ItwasSaturday,hi
srelaxingday.

“Mor
ning!
”Bayos
aid

“Mor
ningBayo!
”

“Wher
eto?”Bayoas
kedashes
awLef
tyr
ushi
ngt
ogetoutofhi
scl
othes

“Iamgoi
ngt
oMorayo‟
sDad!Isawherinmydr eamc r
yingandWhenIpr
ayed,
Godt
oldmei
t
wasti
metor
eac
hout.Itr
iedc
alli
ngherbutherlinewasnotreac
habl
e“

“Ok?”

“
SoI
amgoi
ngt
oherf
ather
‟spl
acet
oas
kforanumberI
canr
eac
hheron"

“Ok,
CanI
comeal
ong?”

“I
fyouwantt
o!”Lef
tywasnotr
eadyf
oranyc
hitc
hat
..
.

*****

TheSt
arSEARCHERwokeLi
braup.
.
.Li
brac
hec
kedt
henot
if
icat
ion.
.
.

“Gamewi
llbehavi
ngherbabyt
oday!
”

Li
braj
umpedup,
herpaydayhadc
ome.
******

Adahadl
ist
enedat
tent
ivel
ytoMor
ayo‟
sdr
eam,
thoughMor
ayot
oldi
tshaki
ng.
.
.

“Itissi
mil
artothedr eamI hadbackt
henwhenwewer ewit
hMadamOs as.Youc anjoi
nour
what s
appandtelegrampagef ormorestori
esthroughIshmaelon+233544142683.Morayo,
I
thinkweshouldnotgi veupthebabyforadopt
ion.Iti
spossi
ble,t
hepeoplewegi vethebabyto
throughAuntyLibr
amayt runcat
e

thechi
ld‟
sdest
iny.
Theymaynotrai
seherupi
nthewayoftheLor
d.”Adas
aidus
ingt
hef
emal
e
genderasSc
anhadr eveal
edt
hegenders
omemonthsbac
k.

“Whataboutouruni
ver
sit
yeduc
ati
on,
AuntLi
brawon‟
thel
pusagai
n?”

“Godwi
llhel
pus
,bes
idesdon‟
tfor
getal
lthatwehaves
avedi
nthepas
tsevenmont
hs"

ThoughLibrahadnotbeenhappywit
htheabor
tiont
hatcoul
dnothappen,shes
tills
poiledthem
withcas
h, s
hegavethemmoneyf r
omt i
metotimetoshop,butAdahadtol
dMor ayothatthey
shoul
dsaves omeofthemoney.

“Ok,
sowhatdowedo?”

“Weneedt
oleaveher
ebef
oret
hebabyar
rives
”

“Andwhyisthat?”Li
bras
aidass
heopenedt
hedoor
.Shehadover
hear
dsomepar
tsoft
hei
r
conver
sat
ion.
..

“Theef
font
ery!
”Li
brat
houghts
ilent
ly.
.
.
“Yougirl
sarej
ustbunc
hofingrates
,Ipi
ckyouupfr
omt r
ash,
cleanedyouupandgaveyoual
if
e,
thenextthi
ngyouwanttodoisrunawaywithsomeofmymoney...
”

“Aunt
y,t
hat
‟snoti
t!
”Adaqui
ckl
ydef
endedt
hem

“Andwhati
sit
?Pl
eas
eenl
ight
enme"

“Aunty,wehavebeenhavingrevelat
ionspoi
nti
ngtothefactt
hatgivi
ngupthebabyf
or
adopt
ionwi l
lbewrong.Notthatadopti
oniswrong,
butIguessint
hiscas
e,maybeGoddoes
n‟t
wantthatforMorayo"

“Sogodwant
sMor
ayo‟
sli
fet
obes
tagnantf
or3year
sorhowl
ongdoyout
hinki
ttakest
onur
se
achi
ld?”

“Godwi
llwor
kthi
ngsoutf
orus
"

“NO, Iwi
llwor
kt hingsoutforyougir
ls,Iwil
lpushyoutomakei t.Youareall
owingr el
igi
onto
cl
oudyourjudgementandr easoni
ng.Youthinkyouknowgod, youdon‟tknowhi m.AndI bl
ame
youAda,youfeellikeyouaret hemostHoly.
..
Morayo,i
t‟
seasierforhertotel
lyout okeepthe
pregnancywhens heisnottheonewhos elif
ehasbeent amperedwi t
h,whens heisnottheone
whosebabydaddyi sari
tuali
st.

Oh!Youthinki
tisyourprayerthatst
oppedyouandt
hebabyfromdyi
ng,
No!I
stoppedi
t,I
pai
d
sevenPas
torst
opr ayforyoufortheses
evenmonths
..
.”Li
bras
aid

Thewor
d“PAI
D"madeLi
bra‟
swor
dss
oundmor
edes
per
atei
nAda‟
sear
s..
.

“Thankyouma,f
oral
lyouhavedone,
wewi
llbeet
ernal
lygr
atef
ulbutwear
enotgi
vingupt
he
baby.
”Adasai
d
Li
brabr
okedowni
ntear
s,pr
etendi
ngt
ohaves
omuc
hpas
sionf
orMor
ayo.
.
.

“Mor
ayo,
don‟
tdot
hist
oyour
sel
f.
..
”

Li
brawi
pedhert
ear
sandl
eftt
her
oom.
Mor
ayoandAdal
ookedateac
hot
her
..
.

“Whyi
sshec
ryi
ng?”Mor
ayoas
ked.
.
.

Adas
hrugged.
Shewasver
yuns
ure.
.

***

Libr
awasnotplanningonlosingthebabytoo,s
hehadspentsomuchontheproj
ecttolos
eout.
.
.
BayoandLeft
ywer egone,shehadbeenunablet os
eethemonthestarSEARCHER,I
tseemli
ke
theyhadbec
omes eriousbornagainChri
sti
ansandhadcover
edthei
rstar
.

Adaal
sodi
dn‟
tlookl
ikes
omeones
hec
oul
dgetanymor
e,s
otheonl
ythi
ngl
eftwast
hebaby.

Shewasnotaboutt
olos
ethatei
ther.TheSt
arSEARCHERhadt
oldhert
hebabywoul
dbebor
n
thatday.
Shewasgoi
ngtotaket
hisbabybyfor
ce.

Li
bracal
ledaSHENANI GANAgentwhowasaSeniordoctor
.Hespeci
ali
sedinsel
li
ngbabi
es,
abor
tedfoet
uses,pl
acentas
,e.
t.
c.Shewoul
das
khimt ocometakethedeli
veryathome;t
hat
wayshewouldtakethebabyfr
omt hemimmediat
ely.

“Hel
loDoc
torVanc
e..
.
”
Tobec
ont
inued.
.
.

[
29/
06,
4:59pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART54

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

“Whatdoyoumeanmydaught
eri
spr
egnant
?”Adi
oas
ked

“Yess
hei
s.
..
”

Lef
tyt
ookhi
sti
met
oexpl
aint
hej
our
ney.

“Ha!Mydaughterwenttohaveac
hildinsecret,
nowonderIhavebeenseeingcof
fi
nsfor
days
..
.Someti
mes,Iwoulds
eeherl
ookings adinmydreams,
butwhenI calltoc
heckonher,
she
i
salwayssoundi
ngfine.
Nowonder,hervoi
c ehadbec
omedeepr ecent
ly.
”

“Pl
eas
ecanyoucal
lheronyourphone,
Ihavebeenc
all
ingt
hiss
amenumber
,itkeepsdr
oppi
ng
onmyend,i
t‟
spossi
bleshebl
ockedmyl i
ne.
”

“Ok,
butwhywi
llt
hewomanwantt
osel
lmygr
andc
hil
dwi
thoutt
ell
ingme.

Maybet
hati
sthebus
ines
sshedoest
hathasgi
venheral
lthatmoney.
.
.

Peoplearewic
kedooo.See,
shesendsmeN20,
000ever
ymonth.I
sthatmoneyformetokeep
quietatati
meliket
his
..
.Never
,thespi
ri
tofmydeadwi
fewi
llbeunhappywit
hme...
”

“Canwec
allhers
ir?”Lef
tywasunders
omuc
hpr
ess
ure.
.
.

“I
don‟
thaveai
rti
meooo"

*******
Morayobegant
ofeelt
ens
ed,
andasaf
irs
tti
mer
,shedi
dn‟
tunder
stands
hewasal
readyi
n
Labour
..

“Ada,
mys
tomac
hisget
tinghar
dli
kes
tone"

“J
esus
!Whyi
sthat
?”

“I
don‟
tknow.
.
.Maybewes
houl
dgot
othehos
pit
al"Mor
ayos
ugges
ted

“Ok.
.
.getupandLet
‟sgetgoi
ng"

Adawastheonewhowentwi t
hherforherAnt
e-nat
al.
.
.sos
heknewwher eal
lthebabythi
ngs
wereandhows hehadbeent
oldwheneverMor
ayowasfeel
ings
trange,
sheshoul
dbringhert
o
thehospi
tal
..
.

******

“Gameaboutt
oleavet
het
rap“t
heSt
ars
ear
chernot
if
iedLi
bra.

Li
brar
ushedoutofherr
oomands
awMor
ayoandAdawal
kingoutoft
her
oom.
.

“Wher
eto?”

“I
havet
ogett
othehos
pit
al,
Iamnotf
eel
ingc
omf
ort
abl
e”

“Ohr eall
y,sor
ry,Coi
ncidental
ly,mydoctorfri
endisonhiswaytoseeme, hewi
llc
heckyout
o
seeifyouareinlabourorit‟
saf al
selabour,
Ifiti
stherealdeal
,Iwi
lldr
iveyout
othe
hospital
..
.Gobackandrestyourbac k.
.
.”
AdaandMor
ayodi
dnotl
iket
hes
oundoft
hat
,Adas
ens
edt
her
ewasmor
etot
heDoc
tor
comi
ng..
.

“Youdon‟
thavet
obot
her
,thedr
iverc
andr
opusof
f"Adas
aid.

Adawant
edoutoft
hathous
e,s
otheyc
oul
des
capef
romt
her
e.

“I
ins
ist
!Ada,
whyar
eyoubei
ngs
ohar
d.Gos
h!”Li
bragotbac
kint
oherr
oomands
hutt
hedoor
.

******

Adawasnotabouttogi
veupeas
ily,s
hetol
dMorayotheywoul
dtakeacab,butonget
tingt
othe
gat
e,t
hesecuri
tysai
dLibr
ahadgivenhi
mt hei
nst
ruc
t i
onnott
oletthemout.
..

Att
hatmoment
,Mor
ayo‟
sphoner
ang.
TheCal
lerI
Dshowed„Myf
ather
".

Adaknewi
twashi
ght
ime,
shet
oldMor
ayo‟
sfat
hert
het
rut
h.

“Hel
los
ir!
”

“Hel
loMor ayo,pl
easedon‟thanguponme, thi
sisLef
ty,I
havebeentryi
ngtor eac
hyoubutI
guessyoublockedmyl i
ne.
.Pl
easedonotgiveupourbabyforadopt
ion,t
hereismor etowhat
meetstheeye.ThatladyLi
braisnotwhoshec l
aimstobe,sheal
mostdestr
oyedmyf r
iend‟
sli
fe.
That
‟swhywehadt okeepawayal lt
hiswhil
e"

Adaf
roz
eandMor
ayos
awt
hat
!

“Whati
sit
?”Mor
ayoas
ked
Adaforthef
irs
tt i
mel ookedaroundthehouse,s
hesaws i
mil
ari
ti
esinOsas
'shous
eandLibra‟
s
house.
Theybothhadones ec
urityandonechefeac
h.Theyhadalmostt
hesamehousedecor.
Thi
shadbeenpl annedfrom

t
hes
tar
t..
.

Adapul
ledMor
ayoawayf
romt
hes
ecur
itypos
t

“Lef
ty!Di
dyoubl
ockhi
snumberf
romr
eac
hingyou?”Adawhi
sper
ed

“No!
”

Adaendedt
hec
allandc
hec
k“Bl
ockedNumber
s"

Mor
ayowass
hoc
kedt
oseehi
snumbert
her
e.

“Shedi
dit
!”Mor
ayos
aid

“Yes
!”

“I
sLef
tywi
thmyf
ather
?”

“Yes
,it
‟sobvi
oushehasbeent
ryi
ngt
oreac
hyoubuts
hehadbl
ockedhi
mands
hel
iedagai
nst
hi
m.”Adasaid

“I
tol
dyouwhats
hes
aidabouthi
mwasnott
rue.
”
“Yep!Wehavetoc
allhimback,hes
aidyous
houl
dnotgi
veupt
hebaby,
andyourDadknows
abouti
tnow..
.
Sowec angobackhome"

Thebl
ari
ngofahor
nst
art
ledbot
hoft
hem.
.

“Thats
houl
dbet
hedoc
tor
!”Adas
aid.
Herc
alc
ulat
ingbr
ainbegant
owor
k..

“Ada,
whatdowedo?”Mor
ayos
aids
haki
ng.
.
.

“Calmdown,Igott
his,
theChil
drenofthewor
ldmayt
hinkt
heyar
esmar
t,buts
mar
terar
ewe
becaus
egreat
erisHimthatl
ivesinus
.”

Adadi
aledLef
ty‟
snumberbac
k.

“Hel
loLef
ty,
pleas
epr
esst
her
ecor
dcal
lbut
tonnow.
.
.”

Lef
tydi
dimmedi
atel
y..
.

“HelloLef
ty,t
hisisAda,
wear ei
ntr
oubl
e,Mor
ayoisabouttogivebir
thandAuntyLibr
awould
notletusoutofthecompound,s
hehasc
all
edinadoctort
ot akethedel
iver
y,pl
easegetushel
p,
soshedoesnottakethechil
d

af
terdel
iver
y.Your
emembert
headdr
ess
,Ifnot
,Iti
s54,
Cal
eways
treet
,Mot
orway.
”

Bythatt
imet
hedoc
torhaddr
iveni
n,andLi
brahadwal
kedoutoft
hemai
nbui
ldi
ngt
omeet
hi
m..

“Als
onote,
incases hemovesusawayfromthehous
eandyouareunabletoreac
hus,onc
eyou
areabl
etoreacht heDoctor,
youwi
llgetus
.Theambul
ancehebroughtcarr
iest
hename
“HONESTYHospital“theplat
e
numberi
s..
.
..
”AdagaveLef
tyal
lpos
sibl
edes
cri
pti
oni
ncl
udi
nghowt
hedoc
torl
ooked.

“Mor
ayoc
omeover
!”Li
brabec
koned

Adaqui
ckl
yendedt
hec
all
.Theybot
hwal
kedt
owar
dst
hebui
ldi
ng.
.
.

“Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
o?”Li
braas
ked

“Mor
ayo‟
sfat
herc
all
ed”Adas
aid

“Gi
vemeyourphones
"

Li
brat
ooki
tands
awt
hel
astc
all
erI
DasLef
ty.
.
.

“TheChr
ist
iangi
rlt
ell
sli
esaf
teral
l”Li
bras
aid

“
Lef
tyiswit
hherfat
her.Hesai
dhedoes
n‟twantt
ogi
veupt
hebabyf
oradopt
ion,
soI
gavehi
m
t
headdres
stothi
splac
e.”Adasai
d

“Youdi
dwhat
?”

“AuntLi
bra,
ifhet
akest
hec
hil
d,Mor
ayoc
anmoveonwi
thherl
if
e"

“YOUAREMAD!
”Li
bras
aidwi
thvi
olenc
e.

TheDoc
torl
ookedon.
.
.
“Doc
tor
,wehavet
ochangel
ocat
ion,
thi
sfoolhasdi
srupt
edt
hepl
ans
..
.”

“Li
stenMorayo,
Iamtaki
ngyourbaby,Ihavefedyouforthepasts
evenmonths,
thatisnot
goi
ngfornothi
ng,s
oIadvi
seyoutocooperate.Don‟
tletherpus
hyoutoyourdeath.
Getintot
he
ambulanc
e“

Mor
ayowasvi
si
blys
haki
ngandwasal
lsweat
y..
.Adac
oul
dseeherdr
eampl
ayi
ngout
..
.

“Forasmanythatwantt
okilluss
hallki
llt
hems
elves
..
.Mor
ayo.
.
.Cal
mdown,
Don‟
tdi
ebef
ore
deathcomes.
.
.Godhasgotourback"

Li
braandt
heDoc
tors
pokei
nlowt
onesout
sidet
hevehi
cle.
Aft
eraboutf
ive

mi
nut
esofdel
iber
ati
on,
theygoti
ntot
heambul
anc
e.

Ont
hei
rwayout
,shet
oldt
hes
ecur
ity“
Mis
sionabor
ted,
youar
ebot
hdi
smi
ssedi
mmedi
atel

Tbc

[
29/
06,
5:00pm]+233544142683OHENEOME :PART55

[
FinalEpi
sode]

"
THESHENANI
GANS"

Chi
nedu‟sFat
herhadcomei nhandy,hehadcall
edtheInspect
orGener
alofPol
ice,
whowasa
cl
osefr
iendofHi
s.Theysenttherecordedvoi
cecal
ltohim..
.
Chi
neduont
heot
herhandwasbl
ast
ingi
ntonguesandpr
ayi
ng.
.

“OhLor
d,hi
deourmovesf
romt
heenemy,
don’
tlett
hems
eeusc
omi
ngi
nJes
usName”

*******

Libr
akeptchec
kingthest
arSEARCHERforanyupdat
esbutt
her
ewasnone.
Ifanyonewas
chasi
ngthem,thest
arSEARCHERwouldhavehint
edher.

Mor
ayo‟
scont
rac
tionswer
eget
tings
trongerandmor
epai
nful
.Shewasi
ntear
s..
.
.

*********

Theyhaddr
ivenforaboutfor
tyfiveminutes
,theAmbul
anc
ehadgoneunder
groudabui
ldi
ng.
Ongetti
ngther
e,Mor ayowasreadytogivebir
thanymi
nute.
.
.

Adakeptr
ubbi
ngherbac
kandas
sur
ingheral
lwoul
dbewel
l.
..
.

Mor
ayowasl
edt
oanhos
pit
albedandt
hedoc
tordeepedhi
shandi
ntoher
..
.

Adac
oul
dnothel
pthet
ear
sass
hes
awMor
ayoi
npai
ns.
.
.

“PUSH.
.
..

*******

Chi
neduwasabl
etogett
icket
sforFouroft
hem:
Hims
elf
,Bayo,
Lef
tyand

Mor
ayo‟
sfat
her
.Thepl
anewas
n‟tgoi
ngt
otakeof
fti
llanot
herhour
.

“I
hopet
hepol
iceget
sther
eont
ime"Lef
tys
aids
haki
ng
“Tr
usti
nGod,
Hec
annotbr
ingust
hisf
arandl
eaveus
"Bayos
aidt
oLef
ty.

*******

Thecr
yofthebabywasbeaut i
fultohear .
Shemovedcl
osetoseeher
,butLibrastoppedher.
Fromthedi
stancewhereAdas tood,shesawhowbeaut
ifuls
hewas,butshelookedlikeLef
ty.
Shewasnotasfairs
kinnedasMor ayo..
.

“Mor
ayo,
Shei
sbeaut
if
ul!
”Adas
aidoutl
oud.
.
.

Mor
ayowant
edt
ohol
dherbabyl
ikes
heus
edt
oseei
nmovi
esbutShewasnotgi
vent
hebaby.

“CanI
hol
dher
?”Mor
ayoas
kedt
hedoc
tor
.

“Letmec
leanyouupf
irs
t!”t
hedoc
tors
aid

“Letmej
usts
eeherf
ace"

Li
brac
arr
iedt
hebabyi
nst
eadandAdawal
kedt
owar
dsher
..

“Aunt
yLi
brapl
eas
elethers
eeherbaby,
pleas
e..
”Adas
aidwi
tht
ear
spour
ingoutofhereyes
..
.

“Keepqui
etandgosi
tsomewher
eorel
seIwil
ltellt
hedoc
tort
oinj
ectyout
odeat
h.Wewi
ll
thr
owyourbodysomewher
enoonewouldf
indit.
.
.”

Toconf
irmLibr
a'st
hreat
,AdasawtheDoct
ori
njec
tingMor
ayo,
andMor
ayos
truggl
edf
orabi
t
bef
oreshesawherhandsdropsi
deways
.
“Wear
eleavi
ng,
ifyoul
oveyour
sel
f,s
tayput
,andkeepqui
et.
Wewi
llc
omebac
kforyou.
”Li
bra
sai
d

Thedoc
torandLi
bral
eftt
hepl
acewhi
lel
ocki
ngt
hedoorf
rombehi
nd.

*******

Ada'
smot herwasfeel
ingveryuneasy.
SheKepthear
ingAda‟snameoverandOveri
nherhear
t.
Shebroughtherphone,di
aledAda‟snumber
.Thephonekeptri
ngingbutnoonewaspi
cki
ng.
Shecall
edLibra”
snumber,but

Li
braendedt
hec
all
.Af
tert
hat,
shebl
ockedt
henumber
..
.

“God,I
knowyouar ewithmydaught
er,Pl
eas
ewat
choverher
,for
givemef
orl
ett
inghergot
o
thi
sPorthar
cour
t..
.
Pleas
ebeherGod!”

********

Li
brahear
dthes
irenoft
hepol
ice.
.
.

“ThePol
icear
eher
e!”t
heDoc
tors
aidi
nfear

Li
brac
hec
kedt
hes
tarSEARCHER,
andi
tst
il
lhadnoupdat
e.

“I
ams
urei
t‟
snotf
orus
,theSt
arSEARCHERwoul
dhavehi
ntedus
"

********

Thepol
icef
oundt
heAmbul
anc
ewi
tht
hepl
atenumberi
nther
ecor
ding.
Itwaspar
kedi
nthe
compound.

“Wher
eist
heDoc
tort
hatdr
ovet
hisi
n"

“TheMD.
.
.hej
ustwenti
n"t
hes
ecur
itys
aidi
nfear
.
“OK.
.
.”

Ongetti
ngi
nsi
de,therec
epti
oni
stl
edt
hemt
oDoc
torVanc
e'sof
fi
ce.
TheOf
fi
cerhadt
oldhernot
toc
allhi
movertheint
ercom.
..

ThePol
iceopenedt
hedoormeet
ingDoc
torVanc
eandLi
brapl
aci
ngt
hebabyi
nabag.

“Putyourhandsoveryourhead!
”

*******

Doc
torVanc
eandLi
bral
edt
hemt
otheunder
groudwher
etheyhadkeptt
het
wogi
rl
s.

********

ThePoli
cehadadmit
tedMorayoandthebabyi
ntoanewhospi
tal
.Adakeptgaz
ingatt
hebaby,
shekeptthi
nki
ngofwhatnamethechil
dwouldbecal
led.
.
.“SAVED"

*******

Lef
ty,
Chinedu,
BayoandMorayo‟
sfatherwereexci
tedtoseeMor
ayoandt
hec
hil
d.Bayoand
Adahuggedeachot
heraswell
.TheSparkswassti
llther
e.

Lef
tyhel
dhi
sbabyi
nhi
shandandl
ookedatMor
ayo.
.

“Whatnames
houl
dwegi
veher
?”

“OLUWARAMI
PADA”
“Whatdoest
hatmean?”Chi
neduas
kedBayoi
nawhi
sper

“TheLORDboughtmebac
k,mor
eli
kes
ayi
ngREDEEMEDorSAVED”

“Yes
,Godboughtusbac
kfr
omwher
eweal
lsol
dour
sel
vest
ounknowi
ngl
y”.
Lef
tyAgr
eed

Chi
nedul
ookedupt
oGodands
aidi
nhi
shear
t..
.

“Father
,thankyouformaki
ngmeus
emyr esourc
esforgood.
Godgi
vememor
eres
our
cest
o
savemoreofyourchil
drenf
romt
hehandsofthedevi
l.
”

*PRAYER:
*

OHLORDSAVEME,REDEEMME,RECOVERMYGLORYANDTHATOFMYLOVEDONESFROM
WHEREVERWEHAVESOLDOURSELVES

ORANYONEHASSOLDUSTOI
NJESUSNAME.

*TheEnd!
*