Shadow War

by Chuks Gerry

  You, what are you doing here? She gaped at him startled.

  I came in search of Rasaq, do you know were he lives? He asked returning with a puzzled expression of his, his mind wondering a million things.

  He lives here but isn’t back yet,’she replied blandly.

  He requested for me—my presence rather,’ he stammered.

  You can wait for him.

  Okay——-

  Outside,’ she snapped banging the door in his face.

  Whew! Touché,’he sigh turned around and walk down the terrace, somewhat grateful to be outside than in there. The awkwardness would have been palpable given how surprise he was with the revelation of who she lives and probably sleep with. She must have sensed this and chose to avoid any direct confrontation. But the impact still was already becoming insufferable on him, oblivious of surrounding until he felt a sharp metal pricking his gut from sideways.There was a presence with him and it pointed a tourchlight at him, he grimaced instantly at its blinding brightness.

  Oh it is you,’Rasaq spoke in his usual thick accented baritone. What are thinking sneaking around aimlessly?

  I wasn’t sneaking sire rather I came looking for you.

  Count yourself lucky, I could have murdered you before proper inquiring you know,’he snarled at him,’follow me.

  Together they went back to his apartment. He took off his shirt and slumped into one of the sofas after offering Aliyu a seat. Mariam sensing his breath was fouled of weed and booze insisted he have his bath first before eating. He flatly refused but she worked her way ever so subtly until he reluctantly caved. She carried a bucket of water and towel, together they went out leaving Aliyu alone sitted quietly on the sofa engaged with his thoughts. He was amazed on how she had so cleverly manipulated Rasaq to do her biddings. The room where he was sitted was obviously the sitting room, sparsely furnished but modest. They even had a television set and surround system which made realised how long it was he last sat down in front of a television to enjoy a nice movie, seems like centuries ago. They were back in no time and while he changed into a fresh set of clothes in the inner bedroom, Mariam set the table. He came back feeling all refresh, opening the dishes.

  Have you had dinner? He queried Aliyu, the rich aroma of the soup abruptly reminded of how hungry he was.

  No, I haven’t,’he muttered drily

  You can join me, come closer,’he beckoned on him while Mariam went to get water for both drinking and rinsing of hands. The bowls on the table was loaded with tuwo and okro soup filled with pieces of meat and dry fish. They both ate in silence while Mariam got herself busy in the other bedroom humming. He swallowed one hefty lump after another as if there was a hole in his stomach he was eager to fill while Rasaq was nonchalant choosing rather to pickle on the meats. After chewing two chunk of meat and flushing them down his system with plenty of water, Rasaq stood up excuse himself and went outside to urinate. He ate more slowly now that he was almost satiated; occassionaly casting surreptitious glances at Mariam who chose to remain completely oblivious of his presence. Thoughts and questions flickered up and down his mind as she went about doing random chores. After chewing several more pieces of meat, he’d enough and washed his hands, drying it on the napkin provided. Mariam came over to clear the dishes after asking if he was through, then went outside to throw away the dirty water. On her return she informed him Rasaq wants to meet with him outside. He wanted so badly to say something but her countenance made him retract, he shrugged and walked out to meet with Rasaq who was sitted enjoying nature’s finnest. It was a starry airy night with generous amount of breeze and animal songs.

  Aliyu the scene maker, how do you feel now? He asked with a smirk laced with sarcasm.

  I guess I do feel great.

  That’s is good to hear unlike if you’d spent the night in the gaurds pit, you would have been singing a totally different song peharps, assuming you survived. Now listened to me carefully,’ he continued on a serious note,’you’ve better learn to shut up and put those raging emotion of yours on check because if it continues then I can no longer ensure your safety anymore. The authorities can convene anytime and decide to pass a decree on anything base on information reaching them and for a perceived rebel, their decisions is usually unanimous which is the death penalty. I take you not only as my subject but a friend; you’re close to Rabiu take him like your brother. I foresee the both of you fighting side by side in the battlefield, accomplishing great things for this community in the near future. Being the visionary young man that you’re, do not ruin your opportunity for greatness, of being a part of history.

  I wished to first of all apologise for my behavior of late,’Aliyu started after a brief silence,’and the troubles I might have caused. I promised to obey and play by the rules henceforth. It is a great honour that you think so highly of me and I’ll do the best I can to beat and surpass your expectations of me.

  Good,’he nodded proudly. And most importantly we are your family now, your only family and there’s no changing it, even after death. You can leave.

  Immediately he got to his quarters, he delved into the showers to get himself properly cleaned thereafter he went in search for Rabiu whom he found in the midst of their other colleagues engaged in idle chats. He quickly became the subject of their conversation as they made parody of his behaviour; Rabiu however was glad to see him giving him a tight embrace. They soon bade everyone goodnight and went back to their quarters.

  I want to apologise to you,’Aliyu said to him on their way back.

  For what?

  For not listening to you, for ignoring your plea, for not heeding to your warning and making a fool of myself, and almost getting myself killed. I thought I’ve experienced it all since my coming here but today was different. Today I felt my soul living my body, it was divine. But somehow I was rescued, not because I wanted it rather I believe it happened for a purpose, perhaps it wasn’t yet my time. I was taken to see Rasaq whom I believe pushed certain buttons to get me out and for that I’ll forever remain grateful.

  Yeah, I think he has grown quite fond of you, he insists you’ve great potential,’Rabiu quipped.

  But someday I’ll find a way to pay Sanni back in his own coin.

  Yeah someday,’Rabiu gave a short despondent snicker. Still I can’t entirely blame you for acting the way you did, it was kind of expected.

  How do you mean?

  There’s something I haven’t told you before,’he said with a heave. I was married to a sweet lovely lady by the name Hadiza and we’ve been married for a little over a year now. Barely three months ago, she gave birth to our bundle of joy. I was at my place of business when the good news got to me so I quickly hurried home to be by her side.Three weeks later, I and my boss went on a business trip and upon my return everything was gone, destroyed, burnt down. He paused collecting his wits,’ I was crushed; the assauIt was on the news, media outlets, internet, everywhere. To worsen it all someone close to me coerced me into joining the brotherhood, that it was the only choice I’ve if I wish to see them alive again. I’ve been here for weeks now yet to set eyes on them. Later I was assured that after the rites and initiation ceremony they will be returned back in one piece to me as promised and we will live as one big happy family here in Histar valley. So you can see I don’t really blame you at all for acting out, I’m all for family.

  Thanks, I hope you get your family back.

  Yeah, and I pray for the safety of yours.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Ahmed halted the first cab he saw the minute he was out of his compound in a flurry. His sister Aisha had called repeatedly during the past thirty minutes to come rendered her some assistance at the popular Ajumoh market which is the largest market in Garuba where people assemble enmasse to do business especially during weekends. The previous day had been quites hectic for him; there was a spillover at work which even necessitated him sleeping over at his boss’s house. Even though he has concluded his own section of the job, hi
s boss had insisted all hands must be on deck to ensure there was absolutely no flaw. He had no choice but to comply since he doesn’t want to be tagged “not a team player”, besides everyone was working on the behest of the MD/CEO of the firm, who is the boss of his boss and this contract spell major feat for the firm when finally approved by the governor. The generous over time pay kept them going throughout the night as they worked tirelessly stroking and dotting all their T’s and I’s which took a toll on him after he finally got home wee hours of the morning. He showered and slept of immediately hoping to spend the entire Saturday indoors but his sister incessant calls changed all that.

  Every Saturday she and their mother make a huge list of item to buy in bulk for both sale and consumption but on this day her mother had to travel for a marriage ceremony leaving her with a truckload of errands to run. Firstly, she has to open their shop at Kannem market and monitor sales till noon before leaving for the very busy Ajumoh market, thereafter she return back to the shop to shelf her purchase till evening before finally locking up with the assistance of their sales person. Too cumbersome for her to handle was the reason she’d to enlist the help of Ahmed to come assist her with the groceries and all other items needed at home which she would hand over to him to take home before proceeding to by bulk goods for sale needed at their shop.

  On reaching the market entrance the cab had to slow down tremendously until finally halting due to heavy traffic accustomed to that terrain. People were everywhere conversing, buying and selling as infinite number of trucks offloaded goods continuously non stop, the entire area was a bevy of activities. Ahmed couldn’t withstand the scorching heat anymore paid and got out of the taxi since he was almost at the bustop where his sister will be waiting for him. Knowing his sister for who she is and her penchant for delays and lingering, he intensified his search after he passed the bus stop and discovered she wasn’t there. He looked around several places until he spotted her chatting away while purchasing fresh tomatoes and peppers from one of her customers. Her chitchat went on until he came and stood beside her, only then did she become aware of his presence.

  You women and gossip are like chilled water to a thirsty throat on a hot sunny afternoon,’he quipped shaking his head.

  Do I have a choice, not after you kept me waiting for the better part of an hour?

  Please we need to hurry because I’ve got other obligations to meet up with.

  Okay, the next item on my list is yam and it’s over at that section.

  Yam,’ he squealed. Have I got strength for that?

  Don’t worry we will charter a cab.

  There was no one at the yam stead they arrived at as the seller has gone for prayers. Aisha insisted they wait till he returns because of the friendship thing she had going on with the seller besides his yams were always among the best large, fresh and quite affordable. True to the words of his colleagues the seller was soon with them. He greeted Aisha, lavishly apologizing for keeping them waiting. After a little prize haggling, they agreed to buy about a dozen sizable yams for a modest amount which Ahmed finds intriguing. Aisha took out some money from her purse and started counting while the seller went to look for a burrow boy to assist with their goods when they heard a loud noise like an explosion with some people running away from the direction it emanated from. Then it occurred again this time bigger and louder that it shook the very ground they stood, rocking several rooftops resulting in a massive pandemonium as people dash in every direction possible. They tried inquring from the fleeing populace what the issue was but no one seems to know or gave any comprehensible reply. Then it occurred again, two more explosions and Ahmed screamed they join the others fleeing for safety. They ran in the same direction with the crowd but were soon faced with another crowd from the opposite direction heading towards them which got everyone was confused. Ahmed looked around and saw Aisha a few feet behind struggling with a black sack filled with her earlier purchase. He screamed at her to drop the luggage which she reluctantly agreed, then he snatch her purse and swing across his shoulder freeing her of every burden. They went through several networks of stores and shades, meandering through labyrinth of tiny passages searching for a safe haven to hide until solace comes. Every trader was either in the process of locking up their shop or had scramble off in panic leaving their goods behind at the mercies of hoodlums. Steady gunshots can now be heard from every direction accompany by gory screams which pierces the heart of anyone that heard it. Ahmed suddenly came to a halt, a few feet away was an armed man molesting a lady with a weeping child on her back. He demanded money from her while on the floor a man lay dead, oozing blood from an obvious gunshot wound somewhere in his body. Ahmed stealthly took a U-turn, his sister followed suit. Now tired of running she told him she needed to rest but Ahmed insist they keep moving. Her Hijab got entangled on a sharp edged spiraled shape hook used for for shedding items for sale; she tried freeing it when one of the metal blades glazed her wrist. She cried out calling to her brother who obviously was unaware of her entrapment, was far gone. Atlast he spotted a nice spot which will suffice for a good hideout and turned to say something but couldn’t find his sister anywhere. He ran back the exact same direction he came searching everywhere for her, sighting her on the floor crying profusely calling out to him. He came inquiring what the matter was, she pointed at the iron hook. He tore her clothes around the edges setting her free even then she found it difficult standing not to mention run. Lifting her was no easy task but he had to for both their safety, moving as fast as he could. Gripped by fear, blindsided by panic he didn’t notice the kerbstone in front of him on time. He wrongly stepped on it and missed, they both scream landing heavily on the floor. She landed flat on her tummy on the rough concrete platform yelling in so much pain cluctching her stomach. Ahmed tried consoling and pleading with her in an effort to calm her down but her wails intensify especially when he tried lifting her up a second time. She was bleeding and too feeble unable to even stand but Ahmed manage still; leaving his kid sister behind was definitely not an option he thought as he trotted on. Someone pushed him from behind and he landed heavily on one knee, balancing the weight of his sister on his frame lest she topple over. At first he thought it was a harmless action from a fleeing soul but the accompanying voice suggested otherwise.

  Stop right there both of you,’he barked with a gun pointed at them. They both did as were told. They sat on the floor with their hands raised up.

  Are you husband and wife? He asked directing the question to either of them.

  No she’s my sister,’ Ahmed replied.

  He lets out a short satisfying gusty laughter.

  Today is your lucky day young man. Had it been you’d said otherwise, I won’t have spared you. Your sister is beautiful so I’ll love to have her as mine.

  On hearing this Aisha quickly rebutted she was engaged and pregnant. Unfazed he insisted she doesn’t have a choice else he kills them both, promising to be a good husband and father to her unborn child. After pleading for several more minutes Ahmed was at lost on what to do. His sister was adamant about going anywhere with the man, over her dead body she’d insisted. As a result of her defiantness he resorted to physically assault her, slapping and kicking her about on the floor forcing her to get moving. Infuriated and confused Ahmed rushed to her side, coming to her aid and prevented more beatings landing on her, an action which incensed the gun man. He started hitting and beating the hell of him with every ounce of strength his veins could muster even as he tried shielding himself with both arms. Another similarly dressed man obviously his colleague ran up to them breathless, yelling soldiers are everywhere they’d better get moving. Sirens could now be heard approaching. Frustrated he turned around and yelled angrily at Aisha to get up and follow him, pulling her by the hands which she withdrew abruptly. He yelled at her to come with him once again, but she kept still even with a loaded weapon pointed at her, she chose death instead. Then he directed the gun at Ahmed who was on his knee shooting him
twice before fleeing. He collapsed writhing in pains, blood spluttering from the inflicted wounds on his chest and knee. His sister ran to his side crying for help. But he was loosing so much blood already and fading fast that by the time help came some minutes later he was already gone.