by Chuks Gerry
My instinct which haven’t failed me yet tells me they are very much alive and healthy, my only desire is that they are found and returned home soonest,’added Ibrahim after momentarily silence. They were still conversing when his sisters arrived. Ten minutes later he baded them farewell and was off to the airport with promises to keep in touch always. With Ibrahim and his sisters gone, the boys decided to hangout at a spot to kill time before driving home.
Mrs Nwankwo was outside badding farewell to some fellow traders from the market place that’d come to commiserate with her when they drove in. They greeted them and then went upstairs. Amara was on one of the cushions glued to the television, oblivious of their presence. Eugene tiptoed behind and tickled her just beneath her rib, an act Val had intimated him she hated. Her reaction was instantenous, jerking up and almost spilling the contents on her plate, she went after him screaming.
Where’s Sarah? Asked Val, dropping the car key on the centre table.
In the kitchen,’she replied engaging Eugene in a fierce mock fight.
The aroma of the chicken stew boiling vivaciously on the stove filled the air when he opened the kitchen door with Sarah doing the dishes on the kitchen sink, her back to the door. He smiled inwardly as he stealthly closed the door and walk toward her crushing himself gently on her, planting a light kiss on her cheek. She was startled brieftly then gradually caved on his actics.
Hey stop it,’she brushed him aside just as his moves got increasingly steeper.
You promised your mother that you’d behave when I’m around. That was the stipulated terms for my visitation,’she gushed softly carrying the rinse dishes to the pantry.
But baby haven’t I tried. Reason with me I’m a young stud with blood pumping through my veins and seeing you in these shorts only agitates my heartbeat,’he whined behind her to the pantry, blocking the entrance.
Baby I need you,’he repeated severally drawing her closer for some heavy frottage. Their moans and cooing became increasing fervent as the intensity of their canoodling deepens. Her lips soft and tender tasted better than molten chocolate, her skin fired up on his every touch which made him realized she needed him just as much as he does. Each stroke of her firm perky nipples resonated in a rippling pleasurable sensation as it soon laid bare in his hands while she sank her claws deep into his flesh gasping. This was a heavenly moment for both of them until they were rudely brought back to reality by a stifled cough. Within fragments of seconds they’d detach from each other, Sarah struggled with her blouse while Val desperately shucked his fly which was partially out into his skinny jeans despite the boner.
Erm, I just needed a glass to give Eugene water to drink,’Amara said cooly giving them a contemptuous look.
See what you’ve caused,’Sarah snapped shoving his hands aside after Amara had left.
Imagine how embarrassing it’d have been if it was your mother that had barge in on us.
C’mon how’s it my fault when I’m neither a seer nor warlock to know when an intruder will appear,’he jeered.
She gave him an exasperated stare and stormed out of the pantry despite his pleas. She put off the stove and opened the door to go into the sitting room stumbling on his mother at the doorway.
Is the food ready?
She nodded in afirmative
Then serve up lets eat, it is almost seven pm.
Everyone gathered at the dinning when all was set with Val saying the grace. Sarah busied herself making sure everyone was satisfied giving Amara an askance glance which she always caught and returned with a knowing stare of her own. While Eugene ate with a crooked grin smacked on his face in full knowledge of what had transpired which Val found annoying. Also Mrs Nwankwo who was sitting at the helm of the dinning kept staring intermittently at the television where the news was ongoing as if expectant. Eversince the incident, she been doing the best she can not to fall apart atleast for the sake of her other children. There were dark moments when it became overwhelming and the tears flow freely, she couldn’t help herself. But the outpourings of support have been tremendous which helped in keeping her senile, confident that this was a phase soon to be over.
Least I forget what about Ibrahim, wasn’t he discharged? She asked turning to Eugene who quickly returned a normal expression.
Oh—yes he was,’he stuttered. But his sisters insisted they leave right away. Though I’m yet to hear from him, I’m sure they have arrived Lagos by now.
Okay, he is such a sweet boy. I pray he gets back on his feet ASAP. And Val your uncle called, he insisted we leave town but I told him I am not going anywhere without my Nneka and he got furious with me for endangering the lives of my other kids. So I have decided that Amara once you’re through with your exams next week, you will on the next available bus to Lagos,’she paused to take a bite from her drumstick.
Amara dropped her spoon of rice enraged,’ I’m not leaving anywhere without you,’ she squealed
This is not up for discussion, you’re going and that is it. Val will join you from Abuja when he is done with his defense. I’ll remain here waiting for your sister and when she’s found, we’ll join you guys and be one big happy family once again.
Mummy I said I’m not going anywhere without you,’Amara reiterated defiantly.
Honey, watch your tone,’her mom cautioned. Amara dropped her cutleries, fold her hands murmuring.
But mummy I think its better we all leave together.You can’t remain here alone by yourself. The police will update us if anything comes up, we can’t risk anything bad happening to you,’Val pointed out. I mean what’s the point of you risking your life by staying here because if anything happens to you before she’s found, it’ll be twice as devastating.
I know how to take care of myself, you kids needn’t worry about me,’she responded stoicly.
Val felt a gripping pressure in his stomach and lost his appetite. His mother remains true to form, a stubborn obstinate creature and her attitude had blanketed the once bubbling mood as they were less eating and more tossing of food.
Excuse me ma’am can I say something,’Sarah indicated.
With all pleasure my dear.
I called my uncle who works at the defence headquarters earlier today to request for the money he promised me and subsequently picked his brains for a little information. This city falls among the redfllagged zone for frequent attacks base on what he said and there will be deploying more troops to the region. His candid advice to me was to inform anyone I know to leave for now until they can guarantee when the town is safe again. These are intelligence reports which can’t be made public so as not to start an uproar which will create a messy situation for the military and a favourable one for the sect to thrive. Ma’am the city is not really safe yet and of what good are you to Nneka dead when she is finally found. My advice is you leave with your kids.
Mrs Nwankwo listened with rapt attention and a deadpan expression thereafter returning to her meal after a brief pause.
After the sumptuous dinner, the family relaxed in the sitting room chatting away and munching on some nice snacks when Eugene got up to take his leave. Mrs Nwankwo tried persuading him to stay the night but he politely refused so Val got ready to escort him. On reaching the bus stop waiting for a cab, they saw a group of four youngmen accosting an elderly couple as they walked by. Soon there was some scuffling which led to someone shooting sporadically, a bullet whizzed pass Eugene couple of inches away from his face. They ran like never before back to the compound banging shot the gate, panting so heavily they weren’t able to answer questions thrown at them immediately.
Every inductee was move to a block in the VIP quarters to get ready for the most important event yet of their life. They showered, fed and were each given a black pant only to wear because they were to appear bare-chested. Aliyu was feeling anxious and needed someone to talk with so he cornered Rabiu who had been avoiding him all day to strike up a conversation.
I want to start by apologizing because I know y
ou’re angry with me.
Angry with you, for what? Rabiu asked feigning surprise.
Please cut the crap, you’ve been avoiding and refused speaking to me all day and I’m here to say I’m sorry for not heeding to your warning-—for almost ruining your relationship with your brother...though I didn’t know you guys were related, well that answers a lot of unanswered questions and erm lastly for putting you in a precarious position with your conscience. You felt humiliated, overwhelmed with guilt for hurting someone else and resenting yourself for it. For everything, I’m sorry,’he said giving him a meekly stare. Rabiu returned with a blank stare of his own, shook his head, poured himself a cup of water and headed back to the waiting lounge.
C’mon are you still angry, I said I’m sorry.
Offcourse I’m not flustered just anxious. You know after today Hadiza and my daughter will be returned to me and I’m wondering how she will feel after all this.
Hey look at the bright side atleast you get to be reunited with your family.
While you get to be with the lady of your dreams,’he stifled a smile.
I doubt if that is even feasible considering the fact I’m not allowed that right yet, also she may not consider me eligible after yesterday’s night tryst. I hate myself for what I did; a guttersnipe will make a better choice.
That’s true, also including the fact they were both virgins. The guilt haunts me still,’he said solemnly. An officer gestured on them to start coming out in a single file.
The time is upon us, let’s get even with it,’Aliyu patted him on the back nervously.
As they came out in a single file, a chopper whizzled above them which meant the arrival of more guests, ahead the arena was fully litted and on the podium was presumably a preacher narrating and quoting various portions of the bible thereafter proceeding to open the occasion with a fire cracking, nerve racking, earth shattering bout of prayers that one would have thought it was a crusade ground. They were told to stand in a straight line facing another group of guys about twelve in number whom neither Aliyu nor any of his colleagues knew or have seen before. A red piece of fabric was used to bind their eyes. The entire arena was filled and overflowing with the populace with important dignitries sitted behind the podium. An Imam took over the from the pastor to lead prayer procession, thereafter proceeding to read and minister from the hadiths where he taught the holy book foretold of a day such as this. He encouraged the mujahedeens to be steadfast, brave and courageous even in the face of death. The chairman of the occasion, an influential personality both within and outside the country took over the podium to give an annoyingly boastful speech on his achievements and how the federal government indiscretion birthed its greatest nemesis. He made known his negotiation to bring in foreign collaborator from the Middle East, Europe and Asia to partner and bring about faster actualization of their goals. Before alighting from the podium, he introduced the young men by his right as a team personally trained by his corporation in fulfillment of a promises he made earlier towards the advancement of its army. They’ve pledge to lay down their lives for this purpose and remember this mission is greater than every other even him, he concluded.
Abdul-Kazeem thanked the chairman profusely and other invited guests as he took the stage, promising the rest segment of the ceremony will be as brief as possible so that those that wish to jet back can do so before it gets too late. Normally the ceremony goes on for two nights but due to certain constraints they won’t be a burnfire thereafter he announce much to the dismay of the populace, but promised it won’t be so in the next ceremony. The inductees were told to get on their knees with their left hand stretched forth; a tiny incision was made on it. Each person was given the knives used to make the incision with their blood fresh on its pointed tip which they held onto in their righthand taking the oat of allegiance, repeating the words after Kazeem. As the process was ongoing another group of people with a wrap covering their faces, were led in and made to kneel infront of each inductees.The piece of cloth covering their eyes was finally removed after taking the oath and atlast for almost two hours Aliyu was glad to be again aware of his surrounding taking all in. The first thing he noticed was someone kneeling infront of him, which made him wondered why. Sanni his sponsor was positioned behind him holding a rifle, beside him was Rabiu with Rasaq his brother and sponsor behind with an unknown entity kneeling infront whose face was covered, same goes for all inductees. Kazeem was on the podium officiating with Husseni by his side, all these he took in matters of seconds. Then his stare lingered to the crowd and the guests, his heart went on a dive when he realized the personalities, some he could recognize, it was a constellation. Offcourse some of his father colleagues were present amongst whom is Alhaji Nasiru, smiling and thriving amongst the audience. What intrigues him the most was how diversity of the guests in term of their religion, ethnicity and race which made him conclude what he had already suspect, the fact that Al-Sahad is the brain child of a group of people with common mind and interest decidingly assembling their resources together to achieve a common goal and not just a religious or tribal propaganded as portrayed by the media. Perplex by his observations, he was futher disgusted when Kazeem read out the constitution of the sect, highlighting its missions and objectives after which they where each given a black book bearing the constitution.
Finally, to become a member of Al-sahad always comes with an ultimate sacrifice, one which will ensure that member of their unwavering support and deepest loyalty. This sacrifice entails blood which marks the beginning of their very first bloodshed for the cause. It is the very last hurdle in their sojourn towards being a member and making it past the night.
Some of you may cease to exist after this moment, be wise,’ Kazeem growled.
He paused as Husseni gave him a note then went ahead after staring at it brieftly, ordering the masks to be removed. As each mask was being removed, Aliyu notice the look of shock and how taken aback each inductee were. Before he could decipher what’s up, the mask of the person kneeling in his front went off revealing a depressed shriveled old man. He took a closer look and his heart leaped, it was his father looking weak and quite aged from all the stress he might have probably underwent. Aliyu buckled to his knees, embracing him tightly bursting into tears. Abdul-kazeem was on the mic, reeling the names of each inductee, the names of their first victims and relationship value. When he was through, he instructed them not to dilly dally and make the execution a fast one, as there were on a time leased still no one relent. He jumped down from the podium, charging furiously toward one of the protocol guards, pulled out a pistol from his holster and blew the brains off the first inductee he came across and his victim.
The rest of you’ve have less than sixty second to do as told or face the same fate,’he growled with bloodshot eyes.
Kazeem a man few words was popularly known for his short temper and lack of empty threat. One by one the victims met their death in the bloodstained knives of their loved ones amidst so much grieve. Aliyu clinged tightly to his father with tears rolling down their eyes, his dad whispering how please he was to see him. He told him how much he loved and missed him and most importantly how grateful he is to Allah for making it possible to see him one last time. Aliyu was so heartbroken he decided he won’t go through with it. Enough is enough; he can’t let these people keep having their way with him, despite his father pleas. His father tired husky voice railed on as Kazeem yelled they have twenty seconds left, pleading then ordering him to get even with it that if anyone deserve to die it was him as Aliyu still have alot to live for. Aliyu shook his head bowing to the floor as Kazeem yelled ten second. His father knew right away that despite his persuasion his won’t do bulge. Without him realizing he lifted his son hand with the knife in it and with tremendous speed drew it deep into his torso before he could react. Aliyu move to withdraw only sent it deeper as they both collapsed on the floor with him on top of his frail frame. He wailed, looking up to see Kazeem with a rifle pointed at his h
ead.
Your time was up kid,’he said hoarsely and then he smirks putting the gun away. Your father is indeed not only wise but a braveman. Aliyu looked away weeping, to his side was Rabiu who had a dead lady in his arms.
You have got big shoes to fill son,’he continued taking brisk steps towards the podium. Getting back on it he instructed them to kneel down, a burn fire was lighted in the center. Each sponsor went to the fireplace, took a piece of iron bearing the logo and an inscription, went behind their sposoree and waited for further instructions from Kazeem, afterwhich they placed the hot steel on the top left shoulder of their protégé, leaving an engravement on their skin amid screams and struggles. The pain was so hellish that even the cold water poured on it thereafter did little to alleviate their plight. With these process finally done with mark the end of the ritual. The crowd and Kazeem applauded them immensely even unleashing a tiny smirk before handing over the mic to Talib-Aziz for his blessing. Speaking in both English and Arabic, he prayed and blessed them, giving each person a hug. The chairman gave his vote of thanks to all and sundry present before declaring the ceremony close with a last minute note from Kazeem to all new recruit to get prepared for their first taste of battle later tonight. They will be leaving camp tonight for a village ten kilometers away where they’ve gotten information of missionaries having a crusade. The plan as usual was to ambush them and pilfer the entire village leaving mayhem in their wake. Sanni was announced as the commading officer to lead the troop on this mission. But first they were to be entertained in the VIP loung alongside other important guests.
Finally away from public scrutiny, Aliyu found himself a spot where he could be alone to lament properly. He sat with a can of soft drink badly shaken and in tears. His thought wandered to his father whom everyone had thought was dead all along was infact alive in captivity. How come the police had allowed this slide by pass them left him befuddled unless there were insiders who had compromised. Those corrupt folks he spat wiping his tears with the back of his palm only to see a pair of feet standing before him, as he didn’t noticed when the person approached. His gaze trailed the feet upward to the fat sweaty face of Alhaji Nasiru giving him a lavish smile.