Winds Of Fate – Episode 1



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© 2016 Serah Iyare



SYNOPSIS

One harmless conversation. 


One sheep in wolf clothing.


One night of heart wrecking torture.


When the winds of fate blew, nemesis came knocking at everyone’s doorstep.

____________________________

She bit at her full kissable pink lips. Her hazel eyes were fixed on the bottles of wine arranged on the shelves. She read the labels and checked the percentage of the alcohol content on the wine bottles. She didn’t like alcohol; the bitter, harsh stinging taste repulsed her. How or why many people got addicted to it, she couldn’t decipher. She scanned the shelves again, concentrating on the fruit wine bottles. She decided on one and reached out to pick it. At five feet six inches, she wasn’t that tall, but was a little above average height.

“Good evening,” someone said behind her.

“Evening…” she glanced back and saw a tall dark brown slender man, she headed for the counter, a bottle of wine in one hand.

“That’s a good selection.”

What is he referring to? The wine? Is he following me?

She frowned. She greeted the lady behind the counter and paid for the wine.

“I have tasted that particular wine. It is heaven on ice-cubes.”

Is he still talking to me?

She glanced back and caught him grinning.

“The name is Stephen,” he stretched out his right hand. She turned back to the lady and collected the bottle of wine wrapped in a colourful

polythene bag. She walked towards the exit. He went ahead of her and opened the glass door. She rolled her eyes. She could tell that he was trying to get her attention.

“Thank you,” she muttered and walked out. He followed her.

“So, what’s the name?”

She halted and turned to look at him, “Look Mister…”

“It’s Stephen.”

“Whatever… I am not in the habit of exchanging names with strangers,” she started to walk away.

“Sorry Miss…” he hurried after her, “I have been watching you since you stepped into the wine shop.”

“Keep watching,” she spotted a spa and walked in, despite the crowd. She would do anything or go anywhere to get away from him.

“Can I be your escort for today?”

“I don’t need one,” she picked a flier at the front desk.

“You never can tell. The Galleria is a big place.”

She shrugged and squeezed her way out of the shop. She sensed that he was right behind her.

“Stop following me,” she glared back at him.

“Can’t help it Miss, I just want to get to know you.”

“Not interested.”

“Give me a chance.”

She sighed, stopped walking and turned to look at him. He flashed a set of white teeth; not that white, a shade of creamy white to be exact.

He towered over her, a little over five feet eight inches. The fitted black tee-shirt on him clung to his brown skin. The blue inscription on it

matched the colour of his jeans. His shoes, a pair of black snickers with white stripes made him look cute in a boyish way. She searched his

smiling brown eyes. He seemed decent, if looks were anything to go by. Regardless, she wasn’t in the habit of been friendly with people she hardly knew, especially in public places.

“I don’t need an escort, thanks for the offer,” she turned to leave.

“Wait!” he held her by the elbow.

“Don’t touch me!” she yanked her hand free and eyed him.

“I am sorry,” he sighed and raised his hands, “I come in peace.”

She tried not to laugh. She was reminded of the conversation between Arnold and the Dark Angel in a movie she watched a long time ago.

She cleared her throat.

“I am on my way out. This is the reason why I am here,” she raised the wrapped bottle of wine.

“Oh, okay. Well, it is a cool evening, perfect time for a walk on the beach.”

“Hmmm… tempting, but, I will pass.”

“Come on. I haven’t been to the beach in a while. I would love some good company.”

She shook her head. The Galleria was not that far from the Bar Beach and Kuramo Beach. She glanced at her wrist-watch.

“I have to go.”

“Somewhere important?”

“Yes,” she met his steady stare.

“Where?”

“None of your business,” she eyed him.

“Is that why you can’t come with me to the beach.”

“Yes and no.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“I have to go,” she glanced towards the elevator and saw a queue. She strode towards the stair-way. He marched her quick steps with his

long strides.

“You need to stop following me.”

“A walk on the beach is all I ask for.”

“I can’t,” she climbed down the stairs.

“You can.”

“I have a family dinner to attend.”

“That is not important.”

She eyed him again, “It is. It is a monthly thing.”

“Great, you can go next month.”

“No.”

“How many family dinners have you missed this year?”

“None.”

“You see.”

“I don’t see anything.”

“I know a great guy whose grilled chicken is excellente.”

She chuckled.

“The chicken with fried Irish potato and creamy sour vegetable salad is a nice combo.”

Her tummy made silly noises. The talk of food was making her hungry.

“You need to try out this guy.”

They found their way out of the building amongst the teeming crowd.

“I don’t know.”

“We won’t stay long. We will take a short stroll on the cool sand; buy the chicken and drinks and leave.”

“O-kay.”

“Great!” he jumped. His excitement was contagious. She started to laugh.

“Where do I park my car?”

“There is an area outside the beach. We can pay those hoodlums to watch it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. They will protect the car.”

“Okay.”

“Shall we?”

She nodded and followed him across the busy road.

___

Nosakhare Ehaekpen looked at his reflection in the mirror. The lemon coloured kaftan he was putting on didn’t conceal his pot belly. The golden embroidery had enough detail to cause a distraction; maybe no one would notice his protruding tummy. It was high time he returned to the gym. He had been postponing a comeback for years, ten years to be precise. A man his age needed frequent exercise, nothing dramatic. He saw his wife the moment she came out of the bathroom. She was also dressed in the same attire. He noticed that she had make- up on. What was all the fuss about? It was just dinner. They were dining indoors with their children and not strangers.

“Women…” he mumbled under his breath.

If he had his way, he would have put on a tee-shirt and a pair of shorts, but his wife wouldn’t have it. She was all about being presentable at all times. Her constant excuse was, ‘What if we had unexpected visitors?’

“Are you ready?” Etinosa glanced his way.

He nodded and turned around.

“Did Osayuki call you?”

He smiled at the mention of his first daughter’s name. She reminded him of his late mother. Petite, dark soft chocolate skin, unique full pink

lips, hazel eyes, oblong face with the mannerism of an angel. If his mother was alive, Osayuki would have been her favourite grandchild.

“Hello…” she noticed his lost far off look.

What is he thinking about now?

He blinked and stared at his wife. His smile broadened. His girls got their pretty looks from her and his boys got their good looks from him. He hoped they wouldn’t inherit his pot belly. A frown creased his dark brows.

“Nosa.”

“Hmm…”

She tried not to get upset, “Did she call you?”

“Who?”

She blinked and stared back at him. She felt like throwing something at him. He noticed the irritation in her dark eyes.

What did I do now?

“Did Osayuki call you?”

He shook his head.

“Everyone is here. She isn’t.”

“Really?”

“Yes. She usually gets here before anyone else.”

“She will be here,” his favourite child was probably buying one or two things. She had a habit of bringing something to the monthly family

dinner.

xxxxxx

The cool ocean breeze swept over them. She shook and wrapped her arms around her curvy frame. The short-sleeve cream blouse she was putting on was as light as a feather. She hoped she wouldn’t catch a cold. She turned her head and caught him staring at her.

“What?”

“You are shaking like a leaf. I think we should head back.”

“Brilliant idea.”

He helped her to her feet.

“I am so full. I doubt if I will be able to eat anything at my parents’ place tonight.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Are you still going there?”

“Yes,” she glanced at her wrist-watch. It was some minutes past eight, “They stay on the Island.”

“Oh…”

They walked towards the exit. She held her pencil heeled red sandals in one hand and her red Mark and Spencer pouch in the other hand. The sand felt smooth and cool beneath her feet. She was glad she agreed to come to the beach.

“Hope we can do this again.”

“Sure.”

“I want your phone number, email address, face book account, twitter handle and anything else you’ve got.”

She started to laugh.

“I am serious.”

“I am beginning to think you are going to stalk me online.”

“Of course I am.”

She chuckled and met his endearing brown eyes. He was really cute. She looked away. If they become good friends, maybe something good would come out of their relationship.

“Come, I have an idea.”

“An idea?”

“Come…” he headed towards a group of big rocks that stood between Kuramo beach and Bar beach.

Where is he going now? Bar beach is deserted. People rarely go there.

She followed him and he helped her to climb to the other side. She saw scanty groups of people on the beach.

“Do people still come here?”

He nodded, “If you want solitude, this is the place to be.”

“I heard that those white garment Prophets build wooden shanties on this beach.”

“Yes, like that bamboo hut covered with blankets,” he pointed at a wooden hut a few feet away.

“Wow!”

“Let’s take a look.”

“No!”

“Come on, are you scared?”

She shook her head. She looked around. It was getting darker. Her family must be wondering why she wasn’t around. She wished she had called.

xxxxxx

Etinosa nibbled at her food, her watch-full eyes were set on everyone at the table. Her husband seemed to be enjoying his meal. He had emptied his plate and refilled it. Her first son, Osarodion, was seated closest to him. He had also taken a second helping. He was the exact carbon copy of his father, except for the pot belly. Her second son, Osaretin, was a mixture of both herself and her husband. He wasn’t as tall as his father; he was her height, five feet seven inches. Osabohen, her second daughter and last child was her exact carbon copy. She was the tallest in the family and the prettiest of her girls. She smiled, but it faded when she noticed her first daughter’s empty seat. Where was Osayuki?

“Did Osayuki call anyone of you?”

Nosakhare glimpsed at his third child’s empty seat. Where was she? It was unlike her to be late. He hoped she was all right.

Osarodion was unconcerned about his younger sister’s absence. The last time he saw her was at the office on Friday. She was an adult. She was old enough to take care of herself.

Osaretin wondered why his mother had brought his younger sister’s absence up. He was enjoying his meal, but, now, he had lost his appetite. She was thirty for Pete’s sake, not two years old. He picked up his glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and took a long drink.

Osabohen eyed her mother.

Osayuki, Osayuki, it is always Osayuki. Osayuki this, Osayuki that, is she the only one? Haba!

She was glad that her elder sister wasn’t around. It would sink in the notion that she wasn’t perfect after all. She had, had enough of her at

the office. Why should the trend continue in her parents’ home? She hissed and dropped the fork and knife. She pushed the half-eaten plate of food away.

“I believe I am speaking to people that have ears,” Etinosa snapped.

Osarodion cleared his throat, “Mum, she is not a baby. She will show up if she wants to.”

“Exactly,” Osaretin added, “She will probably call you later tonight or tomorrow and explain why she couldn’t make it.”

“She is on her way,” Nosa butt in.

His children looked at him with raised eyebrows. Trust their father to come to Osayuki’s defense.

“She has never missed a family dinner,” Nosakhare chimed in.

“This is definitely her first time,” Osabohen played with her fork.

He eyed her. He picked up his Iphone on the table and dialed her number. It kept ringing. He sighed and dropped the phone on the table. He looked up and met his wife’s questioning gaze.

“She didn’t pick the call,” Nosakhare shook his head.

Osabohen chuckled. It seemed her wishes were coming true.

Etinosa frowned. It was unlike her daughter not to pick her calls. Where could she be?

…to be continued

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