The eulogists
âAcnes, did you guys do what I asked? Did you call that our mystery customer because I need money badly? Ejiafe asked his friend Acnes who was wearing big transparent glasses that were wide enough to fit a personâs arm.
âOf course na,. You no trust your boys again. See, Chairman na we need money pass you. You suppose know naâ Acnes laughed jolting Ejiafe by the side.
âChairman, he said he would come with his guys to come pick up the goods tonightâ Spider added. He had been playing games with his phone and on his thighs, was rested a red face cap he had worn earlier. The priest had insisted he took it off before entering the church. âAll these holier than thou priests sefâ, he had lamented to his friends.
âEhen? Thatâs good. That means we will get our cash todayâ Ejaife answered relieved âI hope all the kilos are inside?â
âYes bossâŠbelow the the first chamber of the casketâ Acnes offered, while Stone cold nodded although his attention seemed to have been fixed on some girl at the other pew. She had been moping at him and stone cold was beginning to find it irritating.
âShe likes youâ Spider teased as they all followed his stare.
âLike? Thatâs not likeâŠthatâs fearâ Stone cold answered grinning and they all snickered.
âWill you guys be quiet? This is a funeralâ Odafe scolded, cutting into their conversation. He couldnât help but overhear his brotherâs conversation with his friends which had suddenly unnerved him. Kilos? What kilos? He had heard rumors about his brother dealing in drugs; he just hadnât thought it had gotten this bad. He had also learnt that he started indulging in them after he, Dafe left the house. That realization had twisted the pit of his belly making him feel more terrible than before. Everything was his fault, his mother dying, his brotherâs drug addiction problem, his fatherâŠ..
âHoney, isnât Omotore coming? Your dad is about to round up his eulogy, soon you will be next and then herâ Rhoda asked breaking through his warily thoughts.
âHmmâŠI donât know. Let me call herâ he answered rising from his seat to excuse himself. He passed the crossed thighs of the invitees seated next to them and went through the side door. Shading his eyes from the sun by throwing on his dark shades, he dialed his sisterâŠ.
Below the church auditorium, in the closed childrenâs bible teaching auditorium, Omotore moaned as her uncle Ojako took her from behind, ignoring the cry of her cell phone.
âWe should get backâ she heard him mutter softly between gnashed teeth, reducing his pace.
âNo. Donât stopâ she pleaded as he pulled himself away and staggered to a chair. Sitting, he zipped his trouser and then, watched her pull up her underwear in annoyance.
âI canât believe we were just doing thatâŠin a churchâ he spoke his voice a waiver.
âSo?â Omotore asked pulling her skirt back up still upset…
âYou know they will be looking for usâ Ojako answered, suddenly tired. The response was more of a statement than a question, quibbled to what she had asked.
âSo?â she asked again. This time she was done arranging her clothes and was now struggling to drive her feet into her black heel shoes.
âI donât careâ she continued succeeding in wearing one. The other seemed to be stubborn.
âWell we should be careful you knowâ he insisted as he watched her sigh. Both shoes were now on her feet and she was looking through the content of her bag.
âI know. Iâll be heading back to the church auditorium since you donât want me anymore. Are you coming with?â she asked sending the red lipstick pass her lips and then, wrapped them together almost simultaneously.
âNo. I shouldnât. I donât think it will be a good idea if we show up togetherâ Ojako answered shifting in his chair. Even though he knew it would look repulsive, not showing at his sisterâs funeral ceremony, he couldnât help but feel some sense of guilt. I have just made love to my sisterâs daughter at her funeral for Godâs sake. âIâll head back to the house and feign being busy for the wake receptionâ
âOk. If thatâs what you want. See you at homeâ she retorted as she quickly gathered her cosmetics back into her bag. After straightening up her blouse once again, she walked out of the room, without a second glance at him. Ojako stared after herâŠ
By the window, Gina who had excused herself from the church auditorium to use the restroom stared in horror with mouth ajarâŠ
The unexpected visitor
Captain Efetobo slumped into his favorite chair in his study room and grinned faintly. âFinally the day is overâ he thought gladly as he stretched exhaustedly on the chair. The day had been a huge success, despite how awkward it had been; Onajite ashes had been laid to rest in the cemetery- a six feet hole next to his brotherâs headstone. Seeing his brotherâs grave again had unnerved him but he had braced himself as always throughout the ceremony. If there was anything he had learnt over the years, was how not to feign over little things like a grave. Brume was dead, he couldnât harm him nowâŠneither can his wife.
It was funny how he felt no remorse, Captain Efetobo wondered warily as he pulled out the lower left drawer of his desk and brought out a bottle of whiskey. His wife was dead, burned and buried; gone forever and he felt absolutely nothing. He poured himself some liquid from the bottle and then, from another drawer, he pulled out a piece of paper stuck between the head of the rolling edge and poured the powdery substance in it, into the drink. After stirring the mixture with his finger, he began to sip his drink, throwing his feet over his desk as he continued his controversial thoughts. Onajite was the love of his life and although things had gone cold between them over the years, there were still those times and days he was willing to kill for her.
Several years ago, in 1982 to be prĂ©cised, captain Efetobo recalled; he had learnt from his private investigator of the hotel she was patronizing, a hotel he knew absolutely nothing about and wanted to see for himself. He needed to know if the rumors were true, if her affair with that wretched pauper was indeed true. The world was talking about itâŠand he had asked her but she had lied right into his face and even though he had believed her lies, he still had his doubts. Little did he knew he was going to have the greatest surprise of his life.
âI believed Onajite! I believed you!!â He yelled after banging into the hotel room to find her naked beside a closet. The son of a bitch was lying completely nude, his face covered in shock.
âHow could you do this to me Onajite? After everythingâŠ.â He yelled his voice soaked with sobs.
âIâŠâ Onajite tried to say, her face crowded with so much emotions. He could see the fear in her eyes as she shuttered.
âWhat did I ever do wrong other than love you?â He asked, trying to restrain himself from strangling her as he stood in front of her, his hands molded into a fist and then, the idiot just had to speak. Captain Efetobo shook his head sadly as the memories unfolded more vividly.
The fool had gotten out of the bed, pulling the bed-sheet over his naked body as he approached him.
Captain Efetobo could not recall now what he had been saying but he knew at that moment, he had lost all his senses. His gun was out of his belt hole before he could stop himself and then everything was a blur.
Right now, all he could recall was dragging Jite out of the hotel with him. He had called Ovie, his crisis manager right away to take care of the situation but Onajite was never the same after then. Even though they had moved away from Lagos back to Delta state, she could not look at him the way she used to. All she saw was the man who killed her lover in cold blood.
âWho is it?â he called out sounding almost intoxicated as knocks landed on his door.
âSir, itâs me Tinaâ the housemaid called out from the door.
âOh! Come on inâ he answered as he threw his legs down and glared at her from his glass cup. âWhat is it?â
âSir, Iâm sorry to bother you but there is a lady out here to see youâ the maid answered knotting her knees in curtsy as she approached his desk.
âI thought all the guests were goneâ he answered displeased by the information.
âYes sir but this one came after they were all gone and insists on seeing youâ the maid explained apologetically.
âI see, Alright! Let the guest inâ Captain Efetobo answered reluctantly, throwing his legs back on the desk as he resumed his sipping. Geezs!, just when Iâm celebrating.
The maid curtsied again and then left. Few minutes later, she ushered in a woman. Captain froze, his cup stopping halfway to his lips.
âBridget!â Captain muttered quietly unwilling to rise from his seat.
âEfe! Itâs so good to see you again after all these yearsâ Bridget answered as she crossed the door to his table strutting on one knee.
âWhat are you doing here?â he asked confused âI mean I saw you at the church but I thought it was probably someone elseâ I hoped it was someone else.
âNo, No it was me, I was at the church this afternoon. Iâm sorry for almost interrupting your eulogy. I had no idea I was that lateâ Bridget answered apologetically as she pulled a chair and sat. Captain Efetobo stared at her, too stunned to say more. She had changed, old age hadnât done her any favors, he thought sweeping his gaze over her. After the service, he had looked around for her and when he couldnât find her, he had concluded that his mind had been playing tricks. But here she was, looking up at him with those sad black eyes that were almost identical to Onajiteâs. Her hair had gone grey except for those on her light dark skin. She had been Onajiteâs best friend, Captain Efetobo shivered, and she knew too muchâŠhow do I get rid of her?â
âSo how did you know? That she was dead?â He found himself asking as he pushed aside his drink and glared at her.
âYour son called meâ she answered with all the trace of sadness gone from her voice.
âMy son? Which of them? Now, donât lie to me Bridgetâ Captain Efetobo responded angrily âI thought you and Onajite had an arrangement. You were supposed to stay out of her businessâ
âI know that and I am not lying. Ejaife called me. Your younger sonâ Bridget insisted flushing from his outburst.
âEjaife? How could he possibly know you? You are lying, Bridgetâ Captain Efetobo retorted.
âI am not lying Efe. My daughter Gina confirmed that she gave him my numberâ she replied her voice rising. âListen here Efe, I agree that Jite and I agreed that none of her dirty secrets will ever be out in the open but now she is dead, I think itâs important you know some things, not just for you but for the whole of your familyâ
Captain Efetobo burst out in laughter springing to his feet and then circled round the desk to Bridget.
âI want you out of my house this minute Bridget. Now!â he roared slamming his fist on the desk.
A DVD-R
 âIâm afraid she wouldnât be going anywhere, dadâ Ejaife answered walking into the room with his hands in his pockets.
âEjaife!â his father answered surprised to see his son by the door. âI thought you were supposed to be outâ. With your friends, he might have added.
âMe? Out? To where?â Ejaife asked laughing. Ignoring the surprised look on his fatherâs face, he turned to Bridget and apologized.
âIâm sorry about my fatherâs rude behavior Mrs Bridget. Iâm afraid he is still mourning the loss of my mother. Iâm Ejaife. You are welcome to stay if you wantâ Ejaife answered throwing on his best smile.
âOf course, you are Ejaife. My Gina pointed you out to me at the funeral service.â Bridge answered returning Ejaifeâs smile with a smirk.
âReally? Gina was at the service? I didnât see herâ Ejaife asked surprised.
âWe left early Iâm afraid. She saw something that she wasnât supposed to seeâ Bridget answered her voice quivering at some thought.
âAnd what could that be?â Ejaife asked curiously as he pulled a chair up to sit opposite Bridget, adjacent to his fatherâs desk.
âLook here Bridget; I really do not have time for this. You can take your gossip elsewhereâ Captain Efetobo thundered moving swiftly to the door and then turning the knot. The door shrieked opened and Captain Efetobo gestured her out. He could feel the weight of his sonâs eyes on him but he could care less. I just want her gone!
âIâm sorry Efe. Iâm not going anywhere until you hear what I have to sayâ Bridget insisted. Captain Efetobo grimaced.
âI didnât want to be here. When your son here called me to inform me about Jiteâs death and funeral, I told myself that I didnât have to be hereâ Bridget continued clueless of the rage building up gradually in him like a volcano.
âBut you are here, why?â Captain asked spitting out the words like venom.
âJust few days after his call,â Bridget answered gesturing to Ejaife who had crossed his legs comfortably as if waiting to listen to some tale. ââŠI received a mail package addressed to me from Jiteâ Bridget pulled her bag from the shoulders and unzipped it
From it, she retrieved an envelope with the name Bridget scrabbled on its surface.
âHuh?â Captain Efetobo exclaimed feeling the air go out of the room as his heart began to beat faster. Almost in a flash, he snatched the envelope from her hands even before Ejaifeâs hands could touch it and pulled out a DVD-R from the it. âWhat is this?â he asked in contempt.
Bridget was silent.
âIâm asking you Bridget, what the hell is this?â Captain Efetobo asked uproariously.
âDad, please calm down. Your voice is on the roof. Soon everyone would come rushing in here to find out why you are yellingâ Ejaife pleaded looking from his father to Bridget for some reassurance that there wouldnât be any brawl.
âDonât you see what this woman is doing, Ejaife? Donât you see? I said I do not want her in this houseâ Captain retorted spitefully. âI want her out of this place, now!â
âDad! Dad! Whatâs going on?â It was Odafe rushing into the study with his wife Rhoda on his heels. Soon after, Omotore and Ojako walked in with the same look of confusion plastered on their faces.
âBetter. Everyone is here nowâ Bridget answered gladly as she glanced round the room.
âDad? Whatâs going on?âOdafe asked looking at the woman he had seen earlier in the church. âIâm sorry, who are you? You look vaguely familiar? I saw you at the church but I still cannot place your faceâ
âMy name is Mrs. Bridget EjiekeâŠGinaâs motherâ Bridget answered, her new British accent murdering the pronunciation of the last name.
âOh! Itâs nice to meet you again ma. Itâs been a long time. I really could not recognize you anymoreâ Odafe answered gladly as he walked up to her and bent over for a hug.
âItâs good to see you again Odafe. Youâve grown so muchâ Bridget responded but noticing the woman beside him, her smile faded âand you must be Rhodaâ she continued staring at Rhodaâs outstretched hand for a handshake. Ignoring it, she turned to Captain Efetobo and asked:
âDo you want to see what is in the DVD-R or not?â
Ejaife took the DVD-R from his father and walked over to the Personal computer resting idly at the far end of the table. After booting and inserting the DVD-R into the multimedia optical drive, everyone besides Omotore took a seat-she stood instead behind Ojakoâs chair- as they curiously watched Onajite come on screen.
finally something to read from Sally. can’t wait for the truth to be out ,tanks sally
Hi Tessy,
I didn’t write this. Kycee did,just as the title noted. All kudos goes to her
Ghen ghen
lolx..No be small ghen ghen
Finally Sally …….. Cant wait for d revealation……. But y do they all despise Rhoda …….
Well, i guess we would have to find out
I tink in the next episode we should be waiting for the secret to be out. It nice to read a story here again.
Thanks dear…thanks for reading
Finally.after waiting endlessly.
lolx…I’m glad yur waiting got rewarded. I hope you enjoyed it?
maybe Rhoda is d broke director’s daughter. Chai! I cannot wait for sm1 to spill d beans aidy.
lolx…Abi o!
ghen ghen,,,the secret is about to be exposed,,missed this story ,,cant wait for the next episode
Thanks dear. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Gbese re oooo
lolx
And a little surprise from d aws. The suspense is 2 much. Or is odafe not captain Efe’s son.
hehehe…well I guess we would just have to wait for Madam S to post the next episode. Thank you so much for reading
Finally secrets will be out, thanks for the story. Keep It Up Lady K.
Thanks dear
Big ups Kycee. Very real, very absorbing, very engaging.
You had the end it like Super story this week ehn? I await the next episode
lmao!…I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Am really waiting 4 d truth to out o, wonder what is in d dcd, keep it up
thanks dear…soon you’ll know…
Chai! Pleeenty yansh go open after watching dis Ooo
lmao! shey? thanks for reading dear.
Wow like I was scared wondering wat d secret was nd Madame kycee had to cut the story.no wahala will be chilling till nxtwik to watch d drama unfold bcz I know say he go pass superstory. Weldone Ms rily nice story.beht wait oo e b like say Bridget nd her family knows how to do ofofo o abi no b her daughter catch ojako nd tore….. more inspiration and Mb to ur data so you upload more and more nxtwik.lol
lolx…thanks dear….no be small olofofo o and it makes you wonder why?
The secret is about to be revealed…waiting anxiously. Welldone kycee
thanks dear…
Lobatan o, Ejiafe u too like trouble pass ursef.
Kudos KyceeQ..but it’s short oo, lolz
lolz…Ehen….no worri perhaps the next one would be longer.
Wow! This is a classic piece! Thumbs up KC!
thanks…I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Can’t wait to read their family secret…….ghen ghen and here comes Mrs Bridget to reveal their yansh. More ink to your pen madame
lolx…thanks dear…More to come
pls wen is d next piece o
Kycee I can’t wait! Literally felt my heart skip a bit or two.lol.
Gen……ge!!! i hope i ll nt be put on suspence, na to day e go happen