The Angel And The Fugitive – Chapter Four Part B
THE ANGEL AND THE FUGITIVE – CHAPTER FOUR PART B
© Reginald Obetta
Rogers sat on his bed, with game pads on his hand playing the Xbox console. He enjoyed playing games whenever he was bored or when he had no place to go. His friends weren’t at their room when he knocked, wondered where they had been without him been informed but didn’t consider it absurd since it wasn’t an operation,it wasn’t the first time it happened to him. He ventured his time into the game playing. Tafa walked in dejected, fazed by the circumstances surrounding him, the shock he hasn’t recovered from in the Bursar’s office, a man that has turned to be his judas. Slowly, he walked past Rogers into his bed;
“Hello,whats up dude? You just disappeared for the weekend. Why that face huh? ” still, got his attention focused on the screen.
“Rogers, I know you are still my friend,I need you more than ever, you have to lend me your ears please.”
“Yes, am listening”, his full attention was on Tafa.
“You know my mum died in the hospital ”
“Oh, am so sorry. That’s terrible at a time like this. Was that your reason for your long absent from school?”
“That’s correct. In addition, you have heard the school has ordered all debtors to stay clear of campus until all debts are cleared.”
“I over-heard that. So what’s your point? “, Tafa thrust his head forward once more;
“I need some dough from you please, just to pay up to sit for the exams. I will pay back as soon as possible.”
“sh*t, you know this a hard time, I really don’t have enough right now in the trunk. I would really love to help you but I can’t”.
“You can ask from your friends or something. I will pay back soonest. Rogers, I believe you can help me. ” Rogers sprang to his feet and took dome paces around the room, he was sweating on his forehead, occasionally wipes it off with his handkerchief. Tafa, at each pace, prayed silently to receive a favourable answer.
“I can’t help you”
“You can simply tell them it’s you requesting it. There is no harm in it.”
“You don’t understand Roomie, these guys are everywhere, their eyes are all round. They will definitely know I helped you, am sorry I can’t lie to them, I will be endangering myself if I do. You can have the money given to you in full if you do fulfil one obligation ”
“And what is that?”
“If you join us. Tafa don’t you see your are in a mess. Wealth will be like the speck of the dust if you agree to work with us”. Tafa’s hope were dashed, he wouldn’t be so desperate to join a sect that is against his beliefs, against his christen Dom. Rogers persuasion in him joining was not understandable, even though it was for the obvious reason. Rogers hunkered beside him on the rig, his hands over his shoulders;
“Tafa, emancipate yourself from the slavery of poverty, your intransigent attitude will lead you to nowhere but cloud you in misery and anguish and you might not really know what the future holds for you. ”
“Am not interested. All I want is your assistance and I know you wouldn’t help me. Thank you.” His borrowed phone rang, it was a call from the hospital where his father was;
“Tafa Waziri on the line… what… ok, I will be on my way… ”
He hung up and dashed towards the door, he remembered he left his bag on the bed, Rogers inquired of the problem and when told that his father had another cardiac arrest, he hurried for a change of clothes. He had told Tafa he would try to raise some money from another source unknown to the Al-hida sect, which was unlikely, since he rarely talks to anyone outside his clique. Tafa prayed once more, saying the news shouldn’t get worse. It was a critical moment for Tafa. He stated repeatedly that his Father will not die.
To be continued
