Shadow War

by Chuks Gerry

  Nneka, do you have anything to add?

  Not really, only that my final exams are coming up soon and I’d hope to be done with it before contemplating moving,’she replied rubbing her elbow despondently. I don’t want to start afresh.

  If that is your worry, then you don’t have a problem,’Val casually dimissed

  Easy for you to say because you don’t school here quite insensitive indeed,’her pitched increase ready for an argument.

  You call me insensitive, really? Dont you know that your life is worth more than your school because you’ve to be alive to make any use of your certificate. Mom, Amara confronted me with her worries earlier, she is hearing things out there though I did the best I could to assuage her fears.We must not wait for this imminent adversity to implode right in our faces before we take to our heels.

  Silence enshrouds the sitting room after Val’s exposition, each person engrossed in thoughts of its own. The situation on ground is quite precarious, one that needed to be treated with utmost urgency. His gaze veered from his sister’s solemn blank expression to his mum slightly bulky frame sitted next to her. Val knew his mother quite well even as she sat motionless, he can guess outrightly what was going on inside her mind. His mother has her virtues which include being caring, hardworking, prayerful, confident and strong among many others, but she is quite stubborn. Eversince the death of her husband who was a colonel in the army,she made sure she stop at nothing in providing the best for her kids. With the money paid by the federal government as compensation, she invested wisely and built a thriving business. Infact so successful was her business, she built several buildings littered around the city including the one they live in.She is highly respected among her fellow traders at the market place as a savvy business person dealing on precious metals for decorative and ornamental purposes. Over the years she has stood her ground in stuff and difficult times, refused to remarry chosing rather to dedicate her life to the upbringing and wellbeing of her kids. A resilence spirit she posseses, a trait which is quite noticeable in Nneka.

  Mum, ‘ Val began getting up from where he sat to sit besides her,’I know what you’re thinking about—-your business ventures, starting all over and so on after we move but I believe no matter what, with God on our side we will pave through,’he said accomodating her hands in his.

  Yes we will,’she replied faintly after a brief silence. Most of my customers will start paying for the goods they bought on credit from next week; hopefully by month end we can start packing. My brother is suggesting we come over to Lagos, what do you think?

  Lagos is perfect,’he responded out loud though wanting to add they move sooner, but declined. Saying anything further may incense her embattled emotions.This was after all a huge difficult decision for her which she will require time to assimilate.They bade their mum goodnight and left for their bedrooms.

  Will you still be traveling tomorrow to Abuja? Nneka asked with a worried look when they got to the corridor.

  Certainly, is anything the matter?

  She sighs deeply,’what do you think about the authenticity of the rumour?

  What rumour?

  The one about the Al-sahad sect being responsible for the mayhem today.

  It’s just a rumour until proven otherwise; don’t let it disturb your pretty head. These days everything that goes wrong, Al-sahad is to be blamed. It rained heavily, Al-sahad, the goat went missing; Al-sahad here, Al-sahad there-—propaganda to instill fear.We know these guys are out there but we shouldn’t attribute every ill to them because it only makes them stronger paving room for other criminals to operate freely. Don’t pay attention to petty rumours; let the police do their job, very soon we’d know who the actual culprits are.

  Thanks, your words are comforting. Goodnight

  Night.

  CHAPTER TWO

  On arriving home from the market where she’d went to assist her mother run several errands, Nneka thought she saw a silhouette as she pushed the gate gently stepping into the compound. Notwithstanding she took out a bunch of keys from her purse to insert into the knob, when she felt an overwhelming shadow and turned around swiftly.

  Christ, you scared the crap out of me,’ she shrieked. What are you thinking creeping up on me?

  I wasn’t creeping up on you, I was coming right behind you.Haba you women get scared easily,’ Aliyu said with a wide grin.

  Liar, by the way what are you doing here? She inquired returning his smile

  I came looking for Val, is he gone already.

  Yes, he left for Abuja almost two hours ago,’she said leading the way upstair. But he said he will check up on you before leaving.

  He did come looking for me but I wasn’t home and I’ve called his mobile severally but it isn’t reachable

  Probally network issues especially on the highway.

  Yeah I guessed so too, but I decided to try my luck hoping he’d still been around. I’ve got his Ipad which i forgot to drop behind before heading to the police station. He was suppose to it pick up before leaving as it contains vital school stuffs,’he explained crashing his frame on the large sofa, stretching his feet on a stool.

  But you can get it across to him when you travel.

  Yea I could but I’ve been instructed to suspend any travelling plan,’ he replied with a tinged of frustration

  By whom?

  The police, my family -—too many things are happening.

  Aliyu I’m very sorry for all that’d happened. I really don’t know what to say. How are you coping? She came and sat beside him.

  I’m keeping a positive view. You know when stuff like this happens, it kinds of change your entire life perspective.

  How do you mean?

  You wont understand,’ he with a tiny sardonic smile. You’re afterall a lady.Women need not be bothered with issue of complexities.

  And you men with your maschismo and chauvinism needs to be consistently reminded this is the twenty first century, please upgrade,’She tapped his head lightly.

  Touché.

  She stood up, took down his feet from the stool and sat on it facing him squarely.

  You’re are obviously distraught and it hurts seeing you this way.Tell me what is actually going on? She gazed into his eyes, genuinely feeling his pain.

  He heaved and sat upright before proceeding to tell her the preceding events of the day. Some detectives had showed up at his home quite early and took him in for questioning.The recovered bodies were too mangled up to physically make any identification so they are going to carryout a DNA test. From the direction of questioning, the police felt there was an insider. Suprisingly as it may sound, him alongside some of his relative are being treated as suspects.

  Can you imagine that? He squealed.

  Anyway he’d proceeded to write down detailed report of his activities on that eventful day as instructed.He will be subsequently invited for further questioning which the reason why he can’t travel for now is. There was a brief pause before he continued with his ordeal.

  Do you know what baffled me the most and rendered me befuddled is what one of the detectives said?

  And what was it?

  He made mention of my dad informing me that he was going to transact a business worth millions in physical cash and so I’d arranged with hoodlums to truncate and make away with the cash.

  Arrant nonsense,’ Nneka spat,’ do not allow baseless accusation from a cop who clearly dosen’t knows his job further aggravate your emotions.

  On the contrary those arent baseless accusation Nneka, he was right.My dad did indeed informed me he was going to buy more farm machineries yesterday morning. He usually discuss most of his business dealings with me and I’ve always told him how much I dislike him keeping huge amount of cash at home, but being who he is never listens. I wonder how the cop knew however i denied having any forehand knowledge of money or business dealings, though they weren’t convinced.

  Still it is noting other than mere insinuations. Cops a
re trained to work on minds, to fish out certain information -—psychoanalysation. Besides if they’ve got any irrefutable envidence, you’ll be cooling your ass in a cell by now.

  You’re right, ‘he said feeling a little relieved. You’re right, I want to apologise for the stereotypical comment I made earlier, for sounding like a jerk. You’re smart, intelligent and beautiful just like your mother,’he complemented with a grinned

  Thank you, it’s actually a pleasure to be of help in a time like this,’she returned his smile by placing a hand on his knee. He did likewise by putting his on top of hers squeezing gently acknowledging how his dark texture blended perfectly with her fair tone at the same time returning a riveting gaze.Her face was strikingly sensual than beautiful, artsy gray eyes which exudes prowess capable of holding a soul spellbound and transfixed at the same instant playful. He went onto her other facial niceties, those perfectly mapped out cheekbones that reminded him of Iman the supermodel and then her lips -—plump, perky and seductively alluring especially when she smiles -—is capable of doing crazy things to a man better left to the imagination.

  He has been friends with Val for decades, for godsakes his family and theirs have had close ties even before either of them was birthed. He’d know Nneka as kids, loving and caring for her like his own sibling. As the years flew past and they became young adults, the attraction grew into something more sexually inexplicable which they both knew existed but dare not act on. Right now there’s nothing in the world he wanted more than kissing those tender lips and so subconsciously he slowly lean forward. She didn’t move nor resisted his attempt at kissing her. He felt her lips, moist and warm, trembling on the impact of his, wondering wheather to continue taking it deeper, parting hers with his or pause. He went ahead with the latter and withdrew, his eyes landed on her face astounded at the defiantness glaring from her eyes. She stood abruptly and went into the kitchen. Feeling perhaps he may have crossed a line but was beyond caring because he knew he wanted more so he went after her. He met her leaning against the kitchen cabinet, her backside, curvy with a lovely pair of hip, giving her the perfect irresistible mermaid shape from behind stood facing him. Veritably visceral like a magnetic pull he came forward wrapping his hands across her waist firmly crushing his body against hers. She turned swiftly and their lips locked instantaneously in a wet kiss. His hands explored every each of her lithe frame, gently caressing her hair and neck, kissing, cuddling until she trembles and gasp under the intensity of his romance. He went on to successfully undo her bra even with her blouse still on and was about to successfully cup one of those raw pair of diviness in his hand when a mobile rang abruptly stirring her to reality. Breaking away from under his grip, she ran out to answer it before it goes dead.

  Gosh! He exclaimed, ‘his protruding erection tuged at the helm of his pants with a tingling pain. He leaned on the cabinet thinking, the moment was over he told himself deflecting his thought to his present predicament as a perfect way to kill the urge.

  Valentine somehow was aware of Aliyu’s crush on his sister but he never encouraged it and gets irked just hearing any of his friends make flattering remarks or gestures toward her. Years ago back in secondary school she was one of the prettiest girls around and he was quite protective of her though it did very little to assuage the guys who were all out to impress by buying her really nice things, some quite expensive much to the envy of her peers and disgust of her brother but she knew better not to accept gift from people. Her big brother who was two classess ahead of her, felt the brunt of his sister popularity did the best he could to forewarn her of boys and their mischief. She did played her part by being a good girl turning a blind eye to all the attentions and encomiums being showered on her.During her final year in secondary she decided for the very first time to give the whole dating thing a trial. She began dating the senior prefect whom’d so madly in love with her for several years. They clicked and the relationship was a match made in heaven. He was smart, loving,caring,giving,attentive and everything else in between and she made the decision there and then that he was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with but all that soon came to a halt after their final exams when he got admission to school abroad. He’d promised her he wouldn’t leave without her but the powers that be, his parents bundled him into their G-wagon with his luggages headed for the airport, without even as much as a phonecall to her.The next time she heard from him was through an international number. He was at Heathrow airport, United Kingdom. Astounded and beffuddled, her outrage was out of control when she’d made sense of his explaination. The stinged of his betrayal hurts and she let him knew in no small measure over the phone and subsequently stopped picking his calls. It took the intervention of his mother to resolve the issue seeing the negative impact it was having on her son’s health and education. Eventually she resumed answering his calls after his mother pleas but then she still felt heartbroken which lead her to depression. Aliyu who happened to be on a long vacation during this period took it upon himself to be her confidant and personal therapist whom she can talk to about her issues and get succor.This was the beginning of a new chapter in their lives as it took them down a journey of self discovery eventually leading to him pouring out his heart desires concerning her. She was very flattered by all he’d said mostly because intituively she already knew and he was quite the prince charming. She noted how he was always stealing glances at her, staring lustfully anytime she walked by, paying serious attention to her request and always genuinely concern about her endeavour.She considers him a second big brother of sort and wouldn’t desire it to change aside from the fact he’s from a strict religious Muslim background. His father, a chubby jolly good fellow wouldnt hear a word of it and had already planned his son engagement to the daughter of one of his late colleagues much to Aliyu’s dismay. They were times he strongly felt the urge to voice his opinion, to proclaim his love for Nneka to his family, letting them know she’s the one he rather spend the rest of his life with but had to restrained himself considering the level of embarrassment it’d cause both family and how adversely it will affect his mother.

  Still deep in thought, he went over to the refrigerator and poured himself a glass of water to quench the dryness in his throat. He poured another glass full, taking stealth steps with it to the dinning where she was sited talking in low tone.

  But it was schedule to hold by 2pm——okay, make a photocopy for me I will be there in twenty minutes. Thanks bye, she hunged up exasperated.

  I hoped no problem,’he quizzed taking another gulp from his glass

  No,’she replied hurrying into the bedroom,’but I’ve to get ready for school. A quiz slated to hold later in the afternoon was shifted forward to noon,’she said rushing into the bedroom and coming back holding a blue dress with a placating look on her face,’Please can you help me straighten this up while I take a quick shower.

  It’s my pleasure to oblige you,’he responded with a jocular bowing gesture.

  He finished ironing the dress and took it to her bedroom; she was still in the shower. Feeling a bit bored, he switched on the television set and was immediately stupefied by what he saw. A recent bomb explosion was being reported, it’d occurred in a village market five kilometer from Garuba. There were yet to ascertain the actual figure of dead or injured persons as well as the extent of damages and the images on the screen were quite sordid. Everywhere was a haze, people were crying and panicking as the reporter filmed footage of the incident. They went yet to confirm who was responsible for the explosion.

  Those bastards,’ he cursed under his breath.

  Nneka sauntered into the leaving room wearing a beautiful cream chiffon blouse on dark navy blue jeans, her hair and makeup done.

  What are you watching? She asked her perfume drawing him to her presence.

  Nothing, just some caustic bullshit capable of upsetting the decorum of the mind,’he stood up immediately turning off the set. Wow, baby you look dashing. Why didn’t you put on t
he dress you asked me to iron?

  Nah last minute changes, I thought this outfit is freer.

  And cooler too,’ he said admiringly, taking mental notes of how the outfit clinges to her body and the swaying movement of her hips as she struts around getting her stuffs ready.

  Thanks but enough with those looks, you’re making me uncomfortable.

  Really, then I’m sorry because it wasn’t intentional.I only stare when what I see pleases my heart.

  And I hope Aisha your bethrothed pleases you when you look at her.

  Offcourse she does, but I’m a man of varied taste who loves good things and uh...you’re exceptional.

  Nneka laughed heartily. Aliyu, Aliyu, Aliyu, how many times did I call your name?

  Three times my dear,’ he replied sheepishly.

  You’re indeed a man of many words, which I obviously don’t have the luxury of time to listen to right now, so shall we,’ she gestured.

  Picking up the books arranged on the table and her handbag, they headed for the door. The street was quiet mostly because people were off to work or in the case of children, school. There was however few petty shops owner on the street idling away

  Tomorrow we’ll be holding special prayers for my father at the central mosque. Some family members suggest we start planning his funeral rites ASAP.

  That’s ridiculous, not when his body hasn’t be found neither has he been officially confirmed dead.

  Truth be told, I’m inclined to want to see reasons with them. I just feel it’s a hopeless situation—-I mean he’s still at large,no clues yet,no one have been arrested and worst I’m among the suspect list.I hate to admit it but whatever decision arrived by my family is fine by me. We just want to move on from this painful ordeal.

  Move on? But it’s barely forty eight hour this incident took place,’ she said startled by his statement.