In The Dark – Episode 14


A Story By Stanley Oluwatosin

The man incharge of my department NYSC call up letter was an elderly man, he adjusted his glasses every five minutes and this made the process slow and exhausting.

While waiting for my name to be called i looked back at my past experience in life. From my dad’s death, to my sixteenth birthday, my mom’s death, then the unforgettable act of betrayal i witnessed which led to me loosing kelvin till date and lastly the suffering i went through with my uncle and his wife before mi mom and mi dad took me in. All i could say was “life is full of ups and down but what cant ki*ll you,will only make you stronger”. Out of all my trials, I came out better,happier and stronger.

I felt proud of myself and greatful to those that stood by me during my days of trial. The love and happiness i had during the past five years made me forget my suffering. I was proudly a twenty one years graduate of Journalism and a owner of a beautiful beautiful ride. (courtesy of mi dad), He gave me the ride as a gift during my 18th birthday. Mi mom and mi dad are so proud of me and i know Wherever my parents are,they are also proud of me!

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‘Williams Nancy’ The man incharge called my name and i walked toward him as i collected my files from my bag. I presented the files to him and he slowly went through it one after the other.

Mi dad had already assured me that i would be posted to a federal television station in Ilorin because he did not want me out of sight, but i was still anxious to know my place of service. The old man sluggishness increased my anxiety. “Sign here” he finally said as he gave me my call up letter. I hurriedly signed and left the place for the next person in line. I rushed to my car and opened the letter. Just as dad said i was posted to ‘Kwara state’. I was of mixed feelings, a part of me was happy dad’s wish was fulfilled but a part of me was sad because secretly, i hoped to move out of ilorin. I had spent twenty one good years of my life in Ilorin. All in all i was happy to be a graduate and serving my father land was a dream come through. I started the engine and left for home.

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Khole now works in a bank and she does’nt stay with us anymore. She comes over whenever there is an important meeting or celebration. Happily she is still with josh and they are planning on getting married soonest.

Immediately i got home, i rushed at mi dad and mi mom who were in the living room, watching the afternoon news update. Dad asked me to sit beside him and he said “My angel, am waiting for the news, share it while its hot!” I frowned and i told dad i was posted to kano. Dad asked if i was joking and i told him no, he then stood from his sit and angrily said “How can that be? I called the man incharge myself. What rubbish? My own daughter going to kano? You are not going there, they should eat there service if you can’t serve here in ilorin, dont worry dear” Mi dad turned back and myself and mi mom burst into laughter. I already messaged mi mom about my place of service before so we decided to play a fast one on mi dad. “The soldier dad! Dont give yourself hypertension oo” Mi mom playfully said to mi dad.

Mi dad hit mi mom and i playfully before breathing a sigh of relief. Words could not express how happy i was, having a family that treated me like their child.

Mi dad instructed mi mom to call khole and Josh over for dinner.(Khole already introduced Josh to the family) He also invited few friends over to celebrate my success before i would leave for camp.

I left for my room as the old couples were bussy making phone calls.

I called some of the friends i made during my days in school to know if any of them was posted to kwara. They all replied no and i invited them over for dinner. I did not really have a close or favourite friend over the years so, i was not really sad none of my casual friends was serving in kwara.I took my bath and tossed on my bed till i slept off.

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“So the celebrant is still sleeping. Wake up sleepy head” Khole said as pushed me to the other side of the bed in a bid to wake me up. I slowly opened my eyes and checked the time 7:00PM. I could hear voices outside so i hurriedly peeped from my window. There were cars everywhere and lots of guests. “OMG mi dad told me it will be a small dinner with friends, who invited all this people” i said as i rushed to the bathroom nude. I could hear khole’s laughter as i closed the door.

I wore a sexy dinner gown after taking my bath and left for the living room with khole.

Most of the guest called me and prayed for me as i greeted them, they all wished me the best in life and a good job.

I felt happy been celebrated but” I would’nt have worth been celebrated without the lovly family that took me in”

The party ended by 9:00PM and i retired to my room to make preparation for camp after seeing Josh and khole off.

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I prepared all i thought i would be needing for the camp and retired to my bed after the party, i was not feeling slipy so i called khole. Khole told me alot of interesting things about the NYSC camp and my anxiety increased, all in all i could not wait to wear the NYSC uniform, it will be a dream come through. I ended the call after a long talk with khole and i laid on my bed with my face up. Ever since my parents died, i never dreamt of them. I really wished they could appear to me just like i watch in movies, or they could even come to me in dreams but they never did.

I know they are happy with the way my life turned out anywhere they are but, i really wanted them to show me a sign that i was doing well.

I was greatful to mi mom and mi dad for all they had done for me but my late parents are irreplaceable (blood is thicker than water). I was lost in thought about my late parent throughout the night, but slowly and unconsciously i fell into the beautiful hands of sleep.

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I woke up happy the following morning, i said my prayer and had my bath before going to mi mom and mi dad’s room. I met dad bussy with his phone on bed while mom was reading from her bible. I greeted the dual and sat between them and waited for mi mom to finishup with her prayer. When mi mom was done, I thanked them for the party and mi mom pulled mi into her arms and said “Jadesola mi, you don’t have to thank us, we performed our parental duty and we are proud of you dear” I gushed at mi mom calling me by my yoruba name, only my dad calls me by that name, but ever since he died, i almost forgot i still bear a yoruba name. Dad pulled me closer to his arms and he patted me on the back. He smelt like my dad and that made me wanted to remain in his arm forever. ” Young lady why are you inhaling my saint like that?” dad said and that was when i realised i was making my like for his saint obvious. I gently pulled away from mi dad and i smilled. Mi mom told me we would be going for shopping to get the things i would be needing in camp and i told her i had everything already but she insisted and i agreed. Dad said he would deposit into my account in case i would be out of cash. At that moment i had more than five hundred thousand naira in my account and he was still talking about me going brooke. I gave mi dad and mi mom a quick peck in appreciation and i left for my room.

Later in the day i shopped excessively with mi mom and i packed more than enough for the camp. I wanted to arrive camp on time for early and easier registration so i left the following day with mi dad. He personally wanted to drop me off. I wished this beautiful love i received will never die.

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“mom………..dad, am home” i shouted immediately i entered the house. Its been three week without this guys but it felt like ten year. Over the years it been everyday with them but i had to stay without them for three weeks cos of camp. “Oh my angel, look at you………… You look lean, you did not feed well? Look at your skin, did mosquitoes bite you?” mi mom welcomed me with questions as she turned me around as if she was looking for a pin on me, i only smilled and told her i was fine. Mi dad hugged me and said “Dont mind her, she takes you for a baby” we all laughed and mi mom said i was her baby. I argued against been a baby and paraded my self as a full grown lady. We all laughed and i excused myself to my room. “Come for lunch on time dear, i made your favourite for lunch, there is enough to feed the whole nation” mi mom said has i was about climbing the stairs. I laughed and said ok.

I entered my room and it was like it been a year i last used the room. I walked round the room to notice if there was any changes but there was none. “Its so good to be home” i said to myself as i undressed to take my bath.

Mom made a delicious meal of coconut rice and turkey for lunch. She also baked a welcome cake for me. I had the best lunch ever with family. After lunch i called khole to inform her of my arrival, she told me she would come over and i ended the call. I missed my sleep due to the camp stress so i had a long nap.

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The following morning, dad took me to the television station i was posted personally and he handed me over to the managing director before taking his leave. He was scheduled to go on a bussiness trip that day so he had to run along. I was required to work as a journalist under the supervision of my department head. I was assigned the duty of collecting tangible and confirmed news to be broadcasted. This requires travelling to the point of incident and it sure will be time demanding but i was ready to work tirelessly. This had been my passion ever since i was a child.

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Immediately i resumed work i was assigned an official duty. I was assigned with a group of journalist to collect and submit report based on an overhead bridge been constructed along the post office road in Ilorin, the state capital.

We gathered the compulsory materials we would be needing and took off in an official car.

Under the scorching sun, we tour the area of construction over and over again, to get tangible informations. We video recorded the site and interviewed workers and passerby concerning the work at hand. After the whole interviewing and necessary jottings, we took pictures of the site before leaving for the office. My group members were not really hardworking and their reaction to the supervisor whenever he urge them to work harder was rude most especially a guy called Dtobs.

Lunch was provided by the company but i did not have lunch. Interviewing people, gathering information and doing my work was really overwhelming for me. Minutes later, We got to the office and tendered our report for the news crew. Every member of our group was free to retire for the day since we already performed the duty assigned to us. I was packing my bag when the supervisor a middle age man with an average height came into the space given to me and said “Hello” i turned back and respond to his greetings, he then adjusted his glasses and said “I can see you will become a hardworking journalist, be careful cos there is more to this work than passion, and if you continue to work hard like you have started, you might be assigned to some important assignment before your service year will come to an end” i smilled and thanked him for his advice and compliments. “By the way, i am Larry and i love hard working girls like you” the supervisor said and walked out. I stopped to pack my bag and sat on my table, i tried to think about his words and figure out the meaning for it. I was still thinking about larry’s words when my phone started to ring. The caller I.D was mi mom, i accepted the call and she sounded happy from the other end. Mi mom told me she would be travelling to Dubai to retrieve some long expected goods, she told me i could stay with khole if i would feel lonely at home since Mi dad was absent and she promised to come back on time. Sadly i ended the call and packed my bag, i got ready to leave for my empty house.

I got out of the building, saying hello to people here and there, i was almost at my car when i heard someone say “Nancy” i was new at the television station and most of the people were yet to know my name but that particular voice sounded familiar. Could it be kelvin? I thought as i continued to walk slowly, waiting for the person to call me again. “Nancy, its me” the person said again and this time around instead of walking away slowly i turned and saw the shock of my life.

Standing infront of me was Jordan, could this be a dream or my imagination? I asked myself as i stood fix looking at him. “Hi” he said with a smile and waved into my face. This must be a joke or something i said. “No its no joke i am for real” he said again with the same charming smile he had five years ago. I was lost at what to do a part of me wanted to slap him or spite into his face or probably push him to the floor so hard that he will land on his bare a$$ but a part of me wanted to be mature as well, i did not want to cause a scene on my first day at work but Jordan made me want to go crazy. “This was the same guy i fell for and gave my heart and love to. This was the same guy that stood by me during my mom’s burial but this was also the same guy that betrayed me and cheated on me with a friend i could call a sister. All in all this was the same guy that left without saying sorry five years ago and he has the guts to appear in my face with a smille, pretending to be a friend” as all this thought was going on in my head, my anger increased. I did not want to create a scene or cause a drama, i decided to walk away. I hurried my step to my ride and Jordan followed closely behind saying “Please give me the chance to explain Nancy, just give me a minute” i paid no attention to his words and got into my car. I started my engine and zoomed off, creating enough dust to make him turn brown.

On my way home, i noticed a car was following me, at first i was not bothered but when the vehicle took the same turn i took, i become worried. I horned when i got to my gate and the gate was opened, that was when the driver of the car parked and alighted. It was Jordan, he was following me, i got into my compound, thinking he was gone but when i alighted i saw him right behind me. I transfered my aggression on the gate man and i told him to throw Jordan out of the house but Before the man could react, jordan waved him to stop and said”No matter what you do Nancy, am clearing myself today and i wont leave until i do that”.I rushed into the house in shock and he followed me.

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I rushed into the house with shock, how can a guilty person be this bold? I asked myself. What does he have to say apart from apologizing for screwing Nelly, once a cheat is always a cheat. I thought as i walked faster into the house.

I entered the living room and Jordan came with me, i was hoping he would wait in the living room but to my surprise he followed my step as i climbed the stairs. Now i know this guy is possessed, is he planning on following me to my room? I asked myself. I wished my foster parents were home, he would’nt have been able to terrorize me in my own house.

I could remember Jordan doing the same thing five years ago at my sixteenth birthday party. He eventually followed me into my room years ago but i did not want him to succeed in following me into my room so i hurried my step.

I was almost at the door of my room and Jordan was still following closely from behind. I decided to stop walking and pretend as if i was interested in whatever he had to say, in order for him to stop following me as well. I stopped infront of my room and i turned to him and said “what do you really want? Do you plan on troubling me after all you have done?” i asked in a loud voice. I could see the pain in his eyes and i could tell he was anxious about something. I could not place the reason for the pain but probably he was anxious to clear himself just like he said before. A part of me wanted to give him a second chance to clear himself but another part of me remembered the sinful act of betrayal i withnessed years ago. I decided to play a fast one on jordan. I did as if i was interested in what he had to say and i slowly rested on the door of my room and fold my arms. Jordan looked at his feet and did as if he was trying to compose himself for what he wanted to say. Since he was staring at his feet, i decided to make use of that opportunity to escape. Before he could raise his head up, i hurriedly opened the door and rushed into my room. He hurriedly reach for the door handle, but i was faster, i locked the door from behind in a sec. I rested on the door and breathe a sign of relief in my room.

“Nancy, dont do this! I need to clear myself, you need to know the truth! Open up please!” Jordan said from the door. I was not ready to listen to him, so i decided to remain in my room hoping he would leave when he gets tired of waiting. I undressed and went to the bathroom to shower. After taking my bath, i decided to rest but the worms in my stomach would’nt let me. Jordan has been quiet or probably he had left i thought since i could not hear any sound from outside, but Just when i wanted to unlock the door and get something to eat, thinking Jordan as left, i heard a bang on my door. “Nancy i just wanna let you know that i am not leaving! i am so not leaving this place until you listen to me” jordan shouted and i froze. I tip toed back to my bed and sat down. I rested my back on my pillow as i thought of what to do. I was alone with Jordan in the whole house and i could not get rid of him. A part of me wanted to listen to him but i could not bring myself to agree with the thought. Jordan has nothing to say, a cheat is also a liar, i concluded and i decided to sleep.

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I woke up with an empty stomach the following day. I checked my phone and saw many missed calls from khole, mi mom and mi dad. I decided to take my bath and prepare for work before calling them back. I was super hungry but i would run late for work if i should make something to eat before preparing work. I decided to prepare for work and grab breakfast from a resturant on my way to work. Jordan should be gone by now, i thought as i took my bath. I got ready for work and looked round my room to confirm i was not leaving anything behind, satisfied with myself, i unlocked my door to leave.

WTF!! What is he still doing here? I asked myself. Jordan was laying on the tiled floor infront of my room, he was asleep, i did not know what to think, how can he be so determined and disturbing? I asked myself, he has decided to be a torn in my flesh, i thought.

Since he was asleep, i gently removed my heels and tip toed down stairs. I quickly told the gate man to open the gate and i hurriedly left in my car, leaving Jordan behind. Though he was a cheat i trust he could not steal from the house…

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I could not stop to get breakfast on my way to work, i was running late so i had to run along. I also could not take my mind off Jordan, i thought about how he would have felt sleeping on the bare floor and how he would feel to find out i was gone this morning. A part of me had pity on him but i console myself thinking he was paying for his sin.

I called Mi mom immediately i got to work, she told me how worried she was when she could not reach me on phone. I told her i slept off due to stress and she asked me other regular question about my well been. I told her i was alright and we talked for a while before ending the call. I also called Mi dad as well and he also asked some parental questions like mi mom.

During work i decided to go to khole’s residence in case jordan was still in the house, i called khole and she told me she would be coming over instead, at first i wanted to kick against her suggestion because of Jordan but when she told me she was coming with Josh i was rest assured there wont be any drama. I remained in my chair,lost in thought.

“Hi Nan, you care for lunch?” that was Mr.larry my group supervisor. I smilled shyly and greeted him. On hearing of food i remembered i was yet to eat since last night, so i decided to welcome Mr.larry’s invite. I followed Mr.larry to the cafeteria and i had fried rice and chicken for lunch. Bills on larry.

Work was not really demanding, we only get bussy when we have a special assignment to cover. So i decided to get bussy with my phone, i was still playing games on my android phone when i saw Khole’s incoming call. Probably she has seen Jordan at home, i said as i accepted the call. “Nancy where are you, you have to come to my house right now! There is an emergency” Khole shouted into the phone with fear in her voice. I asked khole what the emergency was but she did not state the problem, she only wanted me to come to her place immediately. I was scared, hoping nothing bad had happened. Khole and her family were my last hope and if anything unpleasant should happen to any member of my family, i could be lost forever without finding a way out. I remembered that mi mom and mi dad were out of the country, “Could anyone of them be involved in a plane crash?” i asked myself and My legs became weak and too heavy for me to carry. I wanted to stand up and run to khole’s house but immediately i stood up i fell back into my chairs. “Easy dear, are you ok?” That was Mr.larry just in time just to prevent me from falling into the plastic chair on my bare a$$. Mr.larry sat me down and touched my forehead, i was sweating profusely. He asked if i was okay and i told him there was an emergency at home. He continued to ask different question trying to be all caring. The eyes watching me from every corner of the room made me uncomfortable and i could not respond accurately to his questions. I gathered my last strength and stood upright, Mr.larry supported me again thinking i would fall. I released myself from Mr.larry’s grip and composed myself to ask asked for the permission to leave. Mr.larry granted my request and i left my department hearing whispering from different angle. I wonder what my co workers were thinking about myself and larry but little did they know that i have shut my heart against love five good years ago. That was least of my problem then.

I walked as fast as i could to my car and drove to khole’s house with shaky legs and hands. I tried calling khole on my way but she did not answer my call, i became worried as i cursed the heavy traffic on my way.

I got to Khole’s house thirty minutes later, i got to the front of her gate and i quickly parked as soon as i could. I rushed into the house and shouted Khole’s name but i got no one answered, i became alarmed. “what could have happened? Was there an accident or a plane crash?” i asked myself as i ran up and down in the living room shouting khole’s name. When i could not get a response from inside i ran to to the gate man post and asked him of khole’s where about. He told me khole left with her boyfriend some minutes ago. I further asked about the mood they were when they left, probably they were in a hurry or they might be sick or moody? I asked the gate man. He smilled and told me they were in a happy mood and they were playing together before they left. I became confused, how would khole call me without an emergency? I asked myself as i walked slowly into the main house. I was almost opening the door to the house when i got a message alert, it was from khole “Go to my room, there is a surprise” that was the content of the message. I called khole back but she rejected my call. I hurriedly went inside and rushed to khole’s room. The sight that welcomed me was shocking! “Am i dreaming!?” i asked myself as i slowly closed the door behind me.

Could my eyes be deceiving me? I asked myself again, probably its just the back view. “How have you been Twinny, i missed you” she said with a smille. I opened my mouth to talk but i found myself closing it without a word. How can i be speechless? She should be the guilty one not me. I thought. How can khole collide with an enemy? A betrayal? A cheat? I asked myself. I would have love to bounce on her and show her alittle of the devil in me but her look will not let me. Nelly looked lean and unkept, probably she was sick, i could not tell.

“I know you hate me right now and you take me for a betrayal, no problem because i am just what you think i am. I am not here to clear myself but an innocent guy that has been suffering in my place.” Nelly said and i did not know what to think anymore. Is Jordan really innocent? I asked myself. Nelly looked at me and continued “I tried his line throughout yesterday without reaching him, he called back this morning and told me he wanted to clear the misunderstanding between the two of you today, else, he will not leave your house. I did not know what to do, i know Jordan is a man of his word, just the way he ment it when he told you, he would stand by you, he was determined to clear things up with you today. Thinking you might get him arrested or hurt him if you should come back and meet him in your house, i rushed down to your apartment, after getting the address from Jordan. I tried all i could to convince him to leave your apartment but he declined. Since he was bent on been sturbon, i also decided not to leave him. We were still in your apartment when khole came, i did not really know her but Jordan recognized her, at first she was burning with anger but the young man that followed her, whom i gussed is her fiance, calmed her down and made her listen to us. I did the talking while everybody listened as i told them all that happened five years ago. Everybody believed me and saw my reason, that is why khole said she would help us get to you. She also said you are good hearted and you will not hear my story and be bent on not forgiving. This is the reason for this set up. Just as khole said, i hope you will give me the chance to explain myself and clear Jordan, if not for anything for the friendship we once shared.”

Nelly ended her speech and i was shocked. If her story could change khole’s mind, will it change my mindset as well? What i saw five years ago could it be a lie and what she is about telling me is the truth? I asked myself as i settled in a couch, waiting for her to put light to the darkness i had been carrying along for a whole five years of my life. I looked at Nelly and told her

…to be continued

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