A Cloud On The Horizon

Episode 3&4

The driver rushed towards Felicia,  "madam! Madam!" 

"Olorun o ni je ka daran oo" (may God prevent us from calamity).

He rushed her back into the car and as a wave of breeze blew over her, she came back to life.

"Omo mi da" (where is my child) was the first thing she said.

"Madam please relax, let me go inside and check her" the driver replied.

Felicia came down from the car , rushed into the house.

As she  entered through the front door, she met Tope on the floor soaked in his own blood.

"Ah! Esther 'kilo se fun'" (what have you done to him?)

Esther could not give an answer. She was soaked with sweat and blood, one could liken her to a cowboy who had just finish milking a cow.

"Mummy please let's go to the police station" she said. "To do what? Felicia queried. " To report the case. She resolved. "Madam let me go and report the case in the police station while she take her bath"the driver suggested.

" Gbenue soun(keep quiet)" Felicia fired.. You want her to rot in jail? Or do you think the police will just let her go like that? 

"Mummy let him go, or else I'll kill myself" Esther dashed in.

Felicia was stunned with her daughter's stern voice. She turned to kasali the driver and gave him a clear instruction on what to say at the police station.

In about 30mins later, the police arrived, interrogate Esther and after some banter of words, they resorted into going to the police station.

At the police station, she was given a sheet to write down a statement and after the evidenced she produced regarding the message, she was told that she will remain in custody till they have a clearer picture of the scenario. 

Felicia returned home that night to closedown her provision shop and also to take care of Dianna who could have been stranded.

The next day, Felicia and Dianna went to the police station together with her lawyer in a pursuit of getting her a bail.

Luckily she met the DPO who happened to be the last born of her friend's family that she met in Cotonou in the 80's.

"Mummy Esther what are you doing here? The DPO asked. Its my daughter ooo she replied.. Pls come to my office the DPO offered.

As they reached the office, she explained everything to the DPO and pleaded with him to grant Esther a bail. 

" This case is a serious one but I will do this for you because of who you are" he replied. Please make sure she is always available each time she is needed for interrogation. He added.

"Thank you very much Alhaji Ibrahim, may God protect your children's too" Felicia prayed almost crying.

Few years later, Esther resumed her selling and buying business, she begin to travel from Lagos to Cotonou and east of Africa. She became a wholesaler that her shop was one of the biggest in oshodi. 

 On a Saturday morning, Esther decided to take Diana on shopping. Its her 16th birthday. She was dressed in blue vintage gown with white traces of shinny patches at the shoulder. She looked so beautiful and elegant that her mum could be mistaken as her elder sister.

"Mum let's go, we are running late" Dianna lamented. "Ahba, I've told you to be patient when talking to me. Are you the one taking yourself out?" Esther questioned. "OK, I'm sorry" she replied, moving towards Esther to bribe her with a hug.

As they reach the mall, Diana took different section of the mall while Esther also followed through another section. 

She is a lover of chocolates and anytime she buys it, she buys it in packs.

But at the mall, a new product caught her attention and as she was trying to pick it up, it fell. The whole pack of chocolates fell and scattered into pieces. A man of about 55years of age came to her rescue. He bent down to pack the wasted chocolate. Esther was amazed with his level of compassion and kindness. When the man stood up and their eyes locked up on each other, Esther was flabbergasted with who she saw.

Episode 4

"Alhaji Ibrahim, what are you doing here? Oh, sorry. I mean you are the one" she stammered. "Dear, I am the one, I came shopping too. After all this is what this place is built for" Alhaji replied.

"What of mum and your daughter? " he asked. "They are fine. In fact today is Diana's birthday. She is also here with me at the mall" Esther continued. Oh.. You brought her for a treat. That's nice of you. How about you allow me pay for all you bought " Alhaji requested.. 

"Ah no Sir, you don't need to bother" Esther replied.. "But I insist my dear." He took the trolley from Esther, wheeled it to the cashier and waited for Diana to catch up with them. He paid for their expenses and bade them farewell.

"Good morning dear, how was your night? Hope you slept well? " I'm good sir. I hope you slept well too" yes! I did. I'm only calling to check on you and your beautiful daughter. Hope she is doing good. If you don't mind, I can send my boys to come pick her up for school and also bring her home after school. "Alhaji that is too much of you". "No my dear, consider it as a way of paying back for the gesture of respecting me back then at the mall. Alhaji  insisted.

" OK, you can have your way. Alhaji you are God sent, I must confess. I have been thinking on how to drop her at school before going to shop, and the thought of it make me sick" she confessed.

Oh, don't worry, I got your back. Do have a wonderful day ahead. Alhaji ended the call.

Ever since Alhaji met Esther at the mall, he has been fantasizing on having her as his second wife. Alhaji is married with four kids but all are female. He wanted to take in the second wife, then try his luck of having a male child. He kept acting nice towards Esther till the point that Esther begin to mistaken Alhaji to angel. 

On a Friday evening, Alhaji invited Esther for dinner. She took Dianna to Felicia's place before heading down to Wallace comfort and suite. The suite is rated five star and only government officials were allowed in.

As Esther reached the gate. She presented the card Alhaji gave her and she was allowed in without much questioning.

One of Alhaji's escort police came to pick Esther at the park and guided her towards Alhajis lounge. 

"Ekaale sir"( good evening) Esther greeted. Ooin, you are doing well, no no you are beautiful, omo daada(good child)".

You see, I was doubting if you would honour my invitation but I'm glad you did. Esther smiled. 

Alhaji stood up to reduce the volume of the music. Though he enjoyed the music but it was already distracting his attention towards Esther. 

" Baby jowo, kowa dami loun oo, kowa fi ife tutu sokan mi oo"

This part of the music caught his attention and he continued from there. Esther can you hear that? They both smiled. Esther thought he was joking but the face alhaji put on gave her a mixed feelings.

Alhaji  ordered for assorted meat and red wine. He didn't even give Esther the chance to make a choice. That was what they kept eating and sipping throughout the conversation.

"See Esther, ever since i set my eyes on you during the Tope's case, I have kept this burning desire in me. You see, I have thought about this for a very long time and the only thing my mind kept telling me is you are mine. If its money, I have. If its love and care, even you can testify to that. So please I really won't like you to say no to my offer because I am in love with you.

" Alhaji you are married for goodness sake. And I'm still a young girl, I don't think I can cope with rivalry. Esther replied.

"Hahahaha" Alhaji laughed. Dear, you see, I have discussed this with my wife and she is cool with it. In fact she knows I'm here with you. He lied. 

Moreover I have the control over my home. See all I need from you is your acceptance. And let me show you what other young ladies  like you enjoys in marrying people of my age.

Alhaji ehn, hmmn, ehn.. I don't want trouble you know I have a daughter. I don't want anything that will prevent me from taking care of her.  I think I need to think this through" she fluttered.

"Ahba omode yii(young child), as from today, Diana is also my daughter. I'm not a stranger to her anymore. Just don't worry. I give you my words wallahi(I swear to God).

He stood up from his seat, stepped towards Esther. He held Esther's hand and try to make her stand. He placed his right hand towards her shoulder and when their eyes came equal, he went for her lips. As he was about to place his lips on hers, Esther's phone ranged.

" I found love for me, darling just dive right in, follow my lead. I found girl beautiful and sweet, and I never knew you were that someone waiting for me...."

She withdrew herself from him and bent down to pick her phone.

"Hello mummy, it's Diana. Please come home. I dunno what is wrong with grandma, she can't breathe." What!

Esther ended the call immediately. 

 

Watch out for episode 5