by Eu Aristos
"The number you are calling is not reachable. Please... "She dropped the call. She tried to imagine what it was like to not have love. She has always had someone around her, but has always been very careful not to let the wrong person in. But her friend didn't even have such luxury of choice. Throughout their university days, she Vicky had always been the lucky one – the one the guys always wanted. Maybe this was because she was gifted with the blessedness of front and back.
Although she had played around with them, this meant that none could brag of knowing her well because she always failed to commit to them. But now Harry seemed very serious. She was beginning to consider him a suitable choice. But how could she be married and her friend will not be? She felt down. Picking up her phone, she decided to check out Kunle's number on Whatsapp. Luckily, he was on Whatsapp.
"Hello...." She sent. No sign of life therein. No response. She resigned to sleep, and it came at once.
∞∞∞
Chapter 8
By the time they got to the school, the assembly had begun and Frankie was to be punished. But Kunle pleaded on his behalf. Going away, he wondered the last time he ever felt so much concern for a child.
∞∞∞
Babatunde’s whistling was as loud as he washed the car. As a matter of fact, it was enough to wake Nk up at 6:00am. She hissed as she arose from her bed. Was it morning already. She wondered as she opened her eyes and looked at the wall clock. Oh... Work... She stretched and rolled on her bed. Within the hour she was ready for work.
"Good morning ma."
"Morning Babatunde." She opened the door of the car and entered. He started the engine and they drove on. Not long enough Nk started perceiving some iffy kind of smell.
"Maa... I don bring back that tire."
"Ok... Good job." She responded amidst the smell which grew more as he spoke. "Please turn off the AC" She was forced to say as she whined down.
"Ah... Ma, any problem..?"
"What's that smell???"
"Smell..? a no dey hear any smell oo. How e dey smell?" He asked.
It’s like onion or garlic... Nk clarified him.
"Oh... hehehehehe, I dey chew garlic…" He said, making Nk to almost puke. She always hated the mention of it not to talk of the smell.
"E dey good for body… at least take one in the morning and at night. Chew am raw... Your teeth and brain go sharp well!" He laughed. She now had her first finger over her nose as he spoke. From the rear, He noticed she wasn't buying whatever he was saying and so turned off the Ac. 'Ouch... Is this what I have to deal with?' She imagined.
∞∞∞
The sound of his ringing phone was enough to wake him up.
"Hello... Detective." Kunle murmured
"Please when can I see you today?" Detective asked.
"If it’s about the list... I couldn't pinpoint anyone...”
"No. Just come."
"Ok, I’ll call you later."
He stood up from the bed and murmured some prayers of thanksgiving to God. He went to the children's room and woke Frankie up.
"Uncle good morning..."
"Morning... Hope sey you sleep well?"
"Yes uncle... I dream about you..." His eyes went to the clock automatically. Time was 6:50.
"No wahala, make we go make you baff. You go tell me the dream later..."
"OK..." Frank went to take his bath while Kunle made a quick breakfast for him. At 7:15 they were out on the road trying to flag down a tricycle on the street. With the stress of having to pick a tricycle and make runs presently, Kunle thought of his car which he had packed at mama’s garage for so long. He needed to resurrect it again. By the time they got to the school, the assembly had begun and Frankie was to be punished. But Kunle pleaded on his behalf. Going away, he wondered the last time he ever felt so much concern for a child. The feeling felt well.
∞∞∞
Later that morning...
"Mr. Kunle.... Please come in." Detective Kola ushered him into his office. "Please sit."
"Thank you."
"I called you here because I would like to understand your relationship to Mama Frankie as we call her. Does she have a husband? Where exactly is she from?" Kunle was silent. "Does she have investments? Who are her family? These and many more questions that will arise, we will like to get answers."
"Why now??? What's happening??? Am I a suspect now?"
"No no no... far from that…” The detective said assuringly as he sat upright on his seat.
"Then..?" Kunle queried
"In cases like this, we need to understand all the tit-bits of who we are trying to help; for her and for the case. No one is immune from justice in this case..."
"OK..." Kunle looked withdraw for a moment, looking out the window as if to make up his mind. But then he took a deep breath in and breathed out. "What I'm about to tell you is her life. And I hope it isn't used against me or any other person; especially not mama. Don't break this trust we've always shared." Kunle added. The Detective stood up and closed the door to his office.
∞∞∞
Her Monday was moving fast. Thanks to the numerous meetings that hold on Mondays. She barely had time to have a coffee when her mum called.
"Hello mummy.... Sorry I was in a meeting."
"Good afternoon ma.”
Silence... "Why Na????! My dress isn't even ready. I can't make it back that fast. I have to formalize my absence in writing for the office." Silence. "OK... I'll try." She dropped the call and the cup of coffee and went in for another round of meeting.
∞∞∞
At the Station that afternoon, Kunle opened up on all he knew about Mama.
"So are you trying to tell me that mama had a dark past?" Kunle nodded. "So tell me, what was her major deal like?"
"She kept the money for those who wanted, picked targets and sealed deals, nothing past that."
"You make it sound like it’s a small deal. So why did she stop?"
"She lived most of her life playing that game but soon discovered she needed to settle down."
"And so she got married?"
"Yea..."
"Where's he? Her husband I mean"
"No one knows... He ran away with another woman after she couldn't give him kids. So..."
"So... She adopted you?"
"Yea…"
Silence...
"Why should we not think that you were part of her business world at some point?"
"Cause I was a little child. I only got to know all these when I was almost getting married."
Silence....
"So let's recap again."
"Mama was the accounts person for a drug and kidnap syndicate who walked out on them because she needed to build a life for herself??? But they swore to waste her cause she was a liability. But she escaped and chose to hideout for the rest of her life here in this city?"
"Yea..."
"Do you in any way know any member of that syndicate?" Kola asked quietly.
Kunle was adamant to answer.
"Yes..." He said finally.
"Can you share the name?"
"No way..! I'll not be a part of this!"
"That could be our only lead to finding the person after Mama's life."
"You have the boy you caught. Interrogate him! "
"Trust me, he has given up all he knows. He is a scapegoat."
They were both silent as if to build momentum. "His name is Faruk Bawa." Kunle broke the silence.
The detective was bewildered. "The popular Faruk Bawa former house member now Pastor?" He asked.
"Yea... I'll not be happy if anyone hears or if the Intel is traced to me. "
"I wouldn't want that too, unless of course I'd like to die too." The detective smirked.
"Can I go now?" Kunle asked, standing up to leave at the same time.
"One more thing please..."
"Ok..?" Kunle sits back.
"Where does Frankie come from???"
"Uhmmm..." Kunle
breathed out heavily..
"Frankie was nature's gift to Mama." Kola gave him an inquisitive look.
"After I got married, I had to move in with my wife into the apartment I stay in now. Aside occasional visits we made once in awhile, mama was mostly alone."
"Hope this isn't what I'm thinking..." Kola relaxed on his seat.
"...one faithful evening when she was going home. She saw an unusual box on her path and upon enquiry saw a baby. That baby has grown up to be Frankie..."
“Why didn't she report to the police?"
"As I said, she was alone and saw that baby as a gift to her. She called me that faithful evening and I actually couldn't do much considering her situation. The origin of that baby is known only by his creator."
"Uhmmm... I didn’t hear this." Kola said as he waved his head.
"We still need to create a connection between mama's past and the attack on her. But until then, I suggest you keep our discussions between us." The detective warned.
"I hear you..." Kunle said as he stood up to leave.
"Why do you switch between pure and broken English?" Detective Kola asked Kunle jovially.
"Oh... I'm a son of the soil." Kunle said shaking Kola.
"Maybe you should stick to speaking the pure English. It fits you more. I'll see you soon." Kola said.
"Aiit…"
∞∞∞
Time Check 3:30pm. Just after the last meeting, NK felt exhausted. She picked up her phone and dialed the number of her tailor. It wasn't going through. She decided to go to his shop. On getting there, he was very busy. "Good evening Caleb." She greeted.
"Ah... Good evening fine woman. My pino pino.... The white dove... Sweetheart... Durling!!!" Caleb exclaimed making Nk laugh.
"You have started again." She said appreciative that someone could make her laugh after all the stress of the office.
"Why won't I start? Whenever you are around Na so body go dey sweet me...." He spoke as he motioned on his boys to get her a seat. That was done in seconds.
Nk knew Caleb since University days, he was her course mate. He always loved everything that had to do with tailoring and fashion. So he embraced it soon after school, although he did it in small batches back in school. Obviously he had a crush on her. But he wasn't her type. He was a bit too lousy...
"Please sit. How are you?" He asked smiling sheepishly and interrupting her thoughts.
"I'm OK. I'm just under some kind of pressure...."
"Na watin..? Talk to me my love." Caleb tried to sound caring..
"I need to be home before Thursday for my grandfather's retirement ceremony."
"OK?"
"But the uniformed material isn't appealing to me. So I just ignored it. But my mum is gonna kill me if I don't do what others are doing.... So..."
"Watin you want...?" Caleb asked jovially as he cut a material on his table.
"Could you make a dress for me before Wednesday?"
"Depends on the design and what's involved." He said.
She opened a little side-bag and brought out the material way-billed earlier in the morning to her by Chy her sis.
"When exactly are you travelling?"
"Thursday..." She said still holding up the material.
"Time...."
"Maybe 11am flight." She responded innocently. There was a brief silence between them. "Can you do it???" she asked
"Which design???" He asked her. She demanded for his design book and took some time to go through it. Finally she chose one and pointed at it. "This one..." She pointed.
"Uhmmm.... That's a lot of work oo."
"Abeg nothing is a lot of work to you." She tried to blow his head with flattery.
"Owk.... Can you come by 10am Thursday morning and collect it???" "Ah...ah..." Nk looked disappointed. Caleb busted into a hysterical laughter.
"Was kidding joor. But work dey that design oo." He said. "You'll get it by 7 on Thursday. That's the least I can go."
"Uhmmm... Still better than nothing. But try to finish by Wednesday na."
"Naaa... Can't work.... The process requires some overnight stuff too... "
"Uhmmm... Owk. No disappoint me oo."
"Ah ah... My love.. Have I ever disappointed you???" NK was smiling silently. They bargained the price and Nk stood to leave. Deciding to put him in the spot she turned back. "Are you free this weekend???" Nk asked.
"Uhmmm.... Depends on the reason..." He giggled.
"Come for the event Na." Caleb frowned. She laughed out hard.
∞∞∞
Chapter 9
She hoped he was fine, imagining how it would be if he was available and just decided to show up during the event. She wouldn't mind hugging him and kissing him just to pass the message.
∞∞∞
Kunle was quite honest with Kola at the station. He did his best to paint mama as the victim. But she wasn't entirely. The truth was that mama ran the crew. She picked customers and received payments, while the boys only did delivery. At some point she wanted to change. So she had to drop the whole deals after she fell in love with her deceitful husband. That ended in pain. During her marriage spell, the group split when she handed over to someone else instead of Bawa (now pastor) he (Bawa) caused them to have bloody battles; claiming that he worked so hard to be belittled. Bawa never forgave her, promising to repay her.
Leaving the station he went to the school where he picked up Frankie and together they went to visit mama who was still in coma. It’s been days and yet no improvement in her condition. The funds needed to keep her there was running down fast and so he had to act fast. He remembered Mama's instruction to go to her daily contribution woman for some money. That he had concluded to do. Getting to the hospital, they saw a basket of love, adorned with a variety of beautiful flowers and with a written prayer of goodwill.
"Who bring this thing?" Kunle asked the security detail at the door. What he learnt since being with mama is to not trust any gift.
"Na delivery person bring am." The security answered innocently.
"And there wasn't any info as to who send am." He queried.
"No." The security guy looked on at him. Frankie was foundling with the doll within when Kunle felt uncomfortable.
"Drop that thing fast!" Kunle instructed him fearfully. "No worry... I checked all of them." The security assured. Kunle looked at him ‘untruthfully’. “Ok”... Kunle said a bit relaxed but the terrified Frankie still held on to the doll.
"Stay here..." Kunle said to Frankie as he picked up the leather of fruits he had brought earlier from the house for mama which was now spoilt. He went to the dust bin area outside the hospital area and dropped it.
"I hope you find peace soon..." A female voice said from behind.
"What do you mean?" Kunle asked looking lost. The assailant spread some substance on his face really fast and immediately, Kunle passed out. A car was there fast to pick him up and so, Kunle was kidnapped.
∞∞∞
In the car going home, she remembered she had wanted to call Nelson. She picked up her phone and dialed his number. His number was unavailable. “Men... When they are needed they are never available” She hissed. Basil has been unfairly unavailable for a while now; quiet to say the least. She hoped he was fine, imagining how it would be if he was available and just decided to show up during the event. She wouldn't mind hugging him and kissing him just to pass the message. That he is even abroad was an added advantage.
"Maa...." Baba said.
No response....
"Sorry... Ma..."
"Are you talking to me??" She asked Babatunde.
"Yes ma. We need to buy fuel ma. Our tank don empty." He said with some atom of attitude.
"Ah... They didn't tell you how it’s done?" She felt unruly but didn't show it. She never for once had to listen to this kind of thing from Kunle. Having paid Caleb the cash she had on her hands, as part payment for his services, she wasn't even with any money. Her ATM card was having issues.
"Even if Na 1k make we put..." Baba added.
"Where do you see the 1k na?" She said in her mind. She scavenged through her bag and purse and put together 1k for the fuel as he drove into a fuel station. When he was done, she told him to talk to procurement department tomorrow for information on how fueling the car was done.
"Ok ma..." He said. These little things made her miss Kunle.
Getting home it was just 7pm. She freshened up and checked her Whatsapp messenger for any sign of a message from Basil.
"Hi" She sent. A message came in. Not from Basil but from Nelson.
"Hey... How far..?"
"I'm cool." Nelson replied
"I've been trying to call you."
"Oh… maybe the bad network; hope there's no problem..?"
"No no... Just about asking for a favor"
"Owk..?"
"Will you be free this weekend?" She sent to him with shaky hands.
"Uhmmm.... Yea... I think so."
"Good..!" She giggled.
"Why..?"
"I… Could you join me back home this weekend...?"
"Like... home-home..?" He asked
"Yea..."
"Can we talk this over dinner..."
"Now..?" Nk asked.
"Yea why not..?" Nelson said.
Nk looked at her clock. Because she wanted it, there was still time. "OK..." She typed.
"I'll send you locations." He said. She dropped her phone and went to her wardrobe to find something to wear. She was almost fully ready to leave when her phone started ringing She ignored it. After she was ready to leave, the call came in again. She looked at it and saw it was from an unknown local number.
"Uhmmm..." She breathed out as she picked it up.
"Hello..." She said.
"Hello dear..." The voice sounded cozy. She was silent for a while, then she recognized the voice.
"Basil!"
"Yes dear..." He sounded romantic.
"How come..?" She asked as she stared at the number again surprised.
"I'm back home...early"
"But you said it would take 2 weeks..."