A FALSE TRUTH PART 2

The joy was gone and the whole atmosphere was that of mourning. What just started as a blessing became a curse. Same people that came to felicitate with us came back to blubber. The house was a full state of topsy-turvydom as questions were asked, why this should happen to us in this house. Many people became closer to the family helping out in all aspects. Black clothes were sown and appeals to stop crying were a regular. 

God gaveth and God taketh and I wonder why God has chosen our family at the point of celebrating his son’s birthday coupled with a first class just generated to take what was dear to us. Seven days after was picked as the day of the burial. There won’t be any celebration though. Just the normal practice of digging the ground and praying for the souls of the faithful departed before lowering the body into the ground. Babajide was loved by many and the eulogies sang were amazing. It was going to take some time before we forget about him completely. As for me I’m not sure I can forget about him. He was a brother who cared, his believes of a better future is extreme. I love him and will always love him. 

It was the fourth day when Engr Uchenna came to the house with his wife. They came in crying. At this moment, peace was now being restored a little to our house. When I saw them I remembered my brother again. Engr Uchenna’s first son Ugo is Babajide’s suppose best friend. He was not feeling fine during the Christmas groove we had in the house. The mother fell on the ground and started crying also. We started wondering what form of grief she was exposing in our house when we are really the ones suffering it. Engr Uchenna called my dad outside for a talk and in ten minutes they came back inside. My dad called my mum and they went inside. Engr Uchenna whistled some things to his wife and she was a little calm. Mummy wanted to follow them but daddy said no and off they went. 

After their departure my mum called me and told me a story that stopped me from crying and fear was introduced. Your brother and his friends did something so bad she said. They killed a female student and buried her in secrecy. The spirit of the so called girl is what is causing all these. I didn’t understand so well the first time until she went further to saying Engr Uchenna’s son is sick and they said your dad must pray for him before we bury Babajide else he will not be well again. I was now surprised. How can Babajide and Ugo kill someone? They don’t look it at all. They are the so called cream boys who go around liking women and dressing well. Added with a good grade; what would lead to them killing a girl. Is this story true I thought? 

It took a while before daddy came back and the Uchennas were still grieving. What has happened? Has Ugo died before they got there? The man didn’t look like someone that has lost a child. Mummy came outside and greeted them. She asked how far with the situation of Ugo and they said he was alright. Alright and Mrs Uchenna is still crying like this? The whole atmosphere was tensed and the way my dad was shaking his legs I knew something was wrong. A Peugeot 504 drove in with a cleric in it and I knew condolences are on the increase again. I rushed into my room with a turn off from whatever they were about to say. But the incidences to unfold are the most amazing in my life. 

The man came with an option of calling my mum aside to tell her whatever he wanted to tell her but my dad said he should talk about it inside the sitting room. My room is next to the sitting room thus I could hear what they were saying. The pastor sang a thanksgiving song before he continued into prayer. After five minutes they all said “Amen”. 

Pastor: madam, there is a situation and I don’t want to beat around the bush. The Uchennas here have a problem which I think you are aware of. The solution is, the father of Babajide should pray for Ugo’s recovery and he would be healed. Your husband was there and he prayed fervently and nothing happened. After consulting God again, I was made to understand your husband is not the father of your deceased son. 

My mum acted so surprised and asked so who is the father? That is what we have come to ask you madam. She looked at my dad and everybody in the sitting room angrily, stood up and entered the room. My dad followed and dragged her back into the sitting room. After a series of shout she admitted into the fact that the father was different from who we thought. There was a great aroma of pain and shame in the house. So who is the father my dad asked? She started crying profusely. My dad had no pity at all as he continued, who is the father!!!

Uncle Peter is the father of all the children……… when I heard this I nearly fainted. Of all Uncles, Peter?   

A FALSE TRUTH PART 1

Thirty days in a psychiatric ward has no explanation of normalcy. Although I’ve exhibited some behaviour that might seem irrational, I can explain everything around me. Science: that is the cause of my pains. No one seems to believe me. Everything I say seem schizophrenic to them. The sights and visions of demons are not believed and I crave one of them joins me in this unhappy adventure and torture I’m experiencing. A psychiatry hospital isn’t a place to visit. You must be an acclaimed patient to be a family there.  An institution built on rationality in a society that lacks rationalism. What characterizes abnormal behaviour really? 

I could remember how it all began. I have started exhibiting some strange actions at home but no one would expect lesser. Loosing a family member can lead to depression. Losing two in succession can lead to a psychiatric ward. As for me I lost four. My neighbour had heard the shout and rushed to the house. The lifeless body of my younger brother was on the floor of the sitting room. I had to cut the rope he had used to hang himself. When I left him at home; he was having fever. I rushed to the chemist down the road to buy some drugs for him and get him something to eat. My arrival was met by a lifeless body dangling from a rope. I called him Tunji! Tunji!! Expecting a reply and not believing what I was seeing. It was when I cut him down and checked there was no pulse that the scream called the neighbour. 

All was gone; father, mother and two brothers all in five months. The spirits in control of all these turmoil has now started their adventure on me but…….. I can’t really remember pulling my shirt and bra but I knew I was bundled into Afam’s car without a top. Afam has always been fantasizing a sexual adventure between both of us but I can’t just open my legs for him without a concrete meaning. Now I was opening everything with no meanings.

I had grown in strength and the aggression within was intense. It took three grown up guys to hold me down and tie me before they could locate the hospital. The welcome ceremony into the hospital wasn’t a good one. It took three doses of lagatin to get me stabilized. I was now cautioned on shout and the rules of behaviour were given to me. Questions were asked at intervals and whatever reactions one put up; it will be recorded as being mad. Memories and flashbacks are normal things in psychiatric hospital but there was something I knew that no other person knew.

There is a demonic spirit that visits. The spirit tells me everything that had gone wrong in my family. The spirit acts like a friend sometimes and other times it torments. It hides within me so many times and that is the cause of all these. The doctors are just so naïve that they don’t believe what I’m saying. The other day when a pastor came, it left the hospital completely but came later at night to attack the person that was prayed for. Her case grew worse afterwards. 

My name is Atinuke Bukus: the second child out of three. I have lost everything I could call family. I don’t know if I need to live again. Endangering my life has been tagged insanity. But the forces that rule my entirety are not naked to the normal eyes.

It was a lovely family; I could still remember the last Christmas celebration we had. Friends and families flocked the yard and drinks and food were in excess. The house was like a carnival arena. My brother graduated that year thus in preparation for camp by February he had the leverage to do whatever he pleases. Graduating with a first class wasn’t easy; he was really a pride to the family. Babajide was awake the next morning, helping with the cleaning of the compound. Afam was also helping. It was very difficult for me to wake up and for the first time I understood what they called hangover. I had some tots of brandy from the one my brother was drinking with his friends. I felt so dehydrated and every gulp of water the next morning produced a lot of sweat. 

I struggled to join in packing the plates and cups that were not broken. Mum and dad were confident of the kids they had thus sleep was a luxury they could afford. It was a four hours exercise and thanks to God, the weather was mild. I knew I needed to sleep more but Afam came with his disturbances again. Telling me how well he likes me. How can a married man be so disturbing like he married his wife before seeing her? The wife in all loyalty would still keep on praying for her husband. Afam has said everything a guy needs to say to me but something just doesn't make it click. I would rather masturbate than give in to Afam. When I was done with his episode it was time for me to sleep. 

It was carol night and everyone has to be there. It’s a ritual, not that we really enjoy the whole session of cracked voices singing “we wish you a merry Christmas”. And women in their menopauses, chanting “silent night”….. Sleep was a constant in a Baptist church but during carol night snoring was added. Ushers roamed our seat, waking us up at intervals and when we were finally done it was time to have the best sleep. Good nights were exchanged when we got home and the locks were put in their right places to prevent unwanted visitors at night. I had laid on my bed thinking about Afam. I saw his penis one day and it looked enticing. His intonation is one you cannot forget in a hurry. I always imagine him on top of me both naked banging hard inside of me but in reality I can’t give in. he was my last thought before I finally dozed off. 

Nothing woke me up the next morning but checking the time on my phone; discovering it was 7.30 am I knew I was in soup. I rushed out of my room to the kitchen and started making breakfast. I put on the TV and started sweeping the sitting room. When mum finally came out of the room I was 90% done with the chores. Where are your brother she asked and I answered like she didn’t know they are lazy people? She walked into the guys’ room and woke them up. Babajide and Tunji, now you people should stand up!!  With the tone Tunji jumped up and ran out of the room but Babajide didn’t move. Mum had to enter the room and gave him a lovely slap to wake him up. Surprisingly he wasn’t going to wake up that morning. The whole chastisement from mummy became an apology. Daddy joined in trying to wake him up and when they couldn’t; they rushed him to the hospital. The family was first tampered with when they drove back home and I asked uncle Rafiu the driver where my brother was; and he said Babajide is in the mortuary.

DREAMS PART 7

FINIX OPEN FLOOR UNCENSORED 30/11/2013 

 

 

 

          Now we have money with us and we must deliver a good we don’t have. Twenty million naira is a price a man can pay for love and that is what we are about to make at the expense of someone’s love. The relief was already being felt by us but the problem lies in the fact that we can really do nothing to help the situation. We need rosaries that can work wonders and under strict supervision; the pressure looked more than enough for us to handle. 

We parked in front of the mud house as Khalif alighted and entered the house. It took like ten minutes before he came back outside with an old man who was supported by his walking stick. The man told us all to come inside and welcomed us. He brought out water from a clay pot to serve but everybody greeted him thanks.  He started his incantations in a language I didn’t understand. After a while he excused himself for over three hours. At this time night has come. We called the general to notify him on the progress of the activities going on here. He asked if there was solution already and we told him no. He screamed: then wait! It was some minutes past three a.m. when the man sneaked out with a pot. The pot had fire in it and I knew it was likely a sacrifice. I wanted to spy but the window was facing the opposite direction. I couldn’t sleep any longer. The snoring capabilities of the soldiers were amazing. I started reflecting on my new phase of life, justifying everything I’m doing as a mixture of poverty and a step into affluence. 

(FINIX) ZANZIBAR RESTUARANT MAITAMA ABUJA

As soon as it became bright outside, I stood up and saw the man outside the compound. He was with many rosaries doing some spiritual works on them. I greeted him but he didn’t answer. There was a leaf in his mouth. I wondered what that could mean, but I didn’t want to spoil the process that had made me sleep inside a mud house. The soldiers came out one after the other and it was then I knew they had people on patrol all through the night. The greeted the man also and silence was still the response. Khalif was the last to wake up and he knew the norms already. He didn’t greet the man at all. We tried to get water to wash our faces and get toothbrush and do a little cleaning before proceeding into the activities of the day. 

It was ten thirty am when papa called us and demanded he needs to go to the house where this whole turmoil is happening. Khalif called him aside and said he should follow us we would not be able to collect the money again. He said we shouldn’t worry. We told our escorts and called general that we were on our way back. We were warned not to reveal that the old man was coming with us. Thus what we related to everyone in Abuja is that we are coming with the supposed spiritual rosaries. 

The journey was fast as sirens cleared the road for us. It was Lokoja that saw our first stop. Hunger had set in. we ate lavishly just to spend a little of the millions inside the car. Afterwards we continued with the journey and Abuja became so close. The house was waiting for us and I knew today will mark the confirmation of wealth into my life. The whole dreams I’ve been having is a about becoming a reality. At this moment I knew there was no stopping me. I thought of Aisha again and how she would be healed completely and how I would become influential. I started thinking of the country I would love for honeymoon. The horn was so loud that I woke up. We were back home and general walked swiftly towards the car to ask if it was successful. The old man came down and I saw the surprise on general’s face. They greeted themselves and he told general that the gate should be locked. Nobody is leaving the house again in a while. He called everyone into the house and told us the source of the problem is within. He brought some leaves and started burning it. The smell was horrible but we all could bear it. It took a while before we saw some manifestations. Aisha came out with some in a confession mode and the rhetoric was surprising. 

She had been the problem in the family. She put the illness on her mother. The grandmother’s case was a medical condition. He was the one also that gave his father hypertension. He was supposed to submit someone in their coven thus I came in. I looked at myself and wondered how I was a real sacrifice in some world I didn’t know. The more the leaves burn, the more she confessed. The session was for a while and at last she fell down and fainted. The ashes were poured inside a bowl and water was added to it. The bad spirit was removed from her and was declared free at last. 

When she woke up there was newness in her. I could even see it but I wasn’t interested again. How would I marry a witch? I thought of the 15million naira cheque and all I would gain. Is that commensurate to the spiritual pains I could go through if her spiritual family members come visiting again? We have twenty million inside the booth though. So afterwards Khalif and the old man brought out the rosaries and gave general, which all the members of his household should wear these all the time except they want to shower or have sex. 

Papa looked at me and said she is free. I walked to Aisha and hugged her. Slowly I felt something shocking and with energy so enormous she pushed me to the wall. Her eyes turned red and surprisingly papa was the first to run………

DREAMS PART 6

I reflected on my life for a while and turned the instances of my pain into a dream come true. I didn’t even know where this dream is taking me to. The risk of sleeping with a general’s daughter in his presence as left me with a fifteen million naira gift. If I’m left alone I’ll keep sleeping with all general’s daughters. I held her so close and started whispering some sweet words into her ears. The promises were many: You are the most beautiful, smart, and generous person I have ever known, and I promise always to respect you and love you. Your beauty, heart, and mind inspire me to be the best person I can be. I promise to love you for eternity, respecting you, honoring you, being faithful to you, and sharing my life with you. I will never leave you. I’ll be the best guy you’ve ever been with and she said, also the last. 

The promises were real while I was making them.  He rushed back to the house to get some things done. I started roaming in the big house I was also rewarded with; thinking aloud in my native language. I sat on the floor at the kitchen and cried. They were tears of joy though. I haven’t seen myself in this vain thus it was a larger dream than I have ever imagined. I started loving her really and conviction of seriousness started building in my heart. 

There was something I wasn’t sure of; if Mustapha was aware of all these drama. But am I expected to go tell him? I thought to myself for a while before the real thought came to my mind.  Why are they so particular about marriage? Hope they are not trying to tie me down because they feel I’m from a poor family, thus they can manipulate me. But really they can manipulate me. And a deeper thought came as “hope Aisha does not have a problem I’m not aware of, and so they want to force her on me”. Many other thoughts roamed my mind. I forgot every minute I look at the cheque. It was a consolation that there was a future and I’m stepping into it. 

The car drove in and Mustapha came back with Aisha. They were both smiling and for the first time I saw the resemblance in wealthy children. In wealth, people look alike when they smile or the way they spray money or drive for politics but poor people look alike in things like hunting, fighting and ugliness. I opened the front door and he hugged me “welcome to my family” I just heard you people are planning to settle down. I giggled with an acceptance but within me I wasn’t actually sure. What is the game plan of the Alhajuris? 

Mustapha called me to a side of the house and started the story which is about to change my notion. Have you ever seen my mum before? I answered no. We used to tell people she is not in the country but it’s a lie she is in the house, locked somewhere at the boy’s quarters with some guards to stop her from coming out. Three generations now have shown that women in our family get mentally derailed in their early thirties. My mum was not an exception. She had been there for a while now and Aisha has started showing those traits too. I felt a chill run through my body when I heard that part. That means I’m being paid 15million naira to marry a mad woman. I smiled and looked at Mustapha; it was a problem before but I can promise you it has ended. All I need to do is to locate my friend that came to Abuja with me. His name is Khalif….. He would heal your mother. 

Naaaa.. Mustapha seems not interested. Daddy would not like it. He doesn't expose his wife’s mental state to outsiders because people talk and he doesn't want to loose his respect. I interrupted him and said I’m family now and I have a right to my mother in law thus let me take care of her. Aisha got me a bold 2. It seems calls are clearer in this phone compared to my former Nokia 3310. I made three calls before I could locate Khalif. We spoke for a while and I told him to meet me off Kwame Nkrumah Street in Asokoro. He was coming from Jikwoyi (a land of the future). I wasn’t really interested in healing the woman but I know with Khalif we would make some money from the General. In a short while Khalif was here. He was still dressed shabbily like me but I know we are on the verge of smiling. As a Lagos street boy; you don’t have to be told there is a job before you know. After narrating the story to him, he said he would do it. He brought out his rosary and chanted some things in Arabic. Gave the rosary to Mustapha and said he should go and wear it on the mum and check if there would be a difference. 

They wore the rosary on her for five minutes and sanity was restored. Immediately they removed the rosary her insanity was again re-established. The shout with which Mustapha called General caused the military prowess in him to arise again and when he encountered what Mustapha just told him, he knew he had to see the guy that did this. The convoy drove in and with general coming towards the building fear was gain reinstated again. I told Khalif to make sure he composes himself so well. I bowed to greet him and he turned to ask where the guy is. Khalif stepped forward. Immediately the general broke down and said where did you get that rosary from? Whenever my wife wears it, she is sane and once you remove it she is back into insanity. Khalif looked at the general and said those rosaries are expensive. 

This that I gave you was given to me by my father, but he told me how to get more. General said how much is it. Khalif was looking at me to know how much he should say and with a wink he said, its a million naira the last time I contacted the man. General said I want twenty and I want it now. In the next five minutes we were on our way to Gbongan in Oyo state to locate a man that doesn't exist with twenty two million naira in the boot. Five soldiers accustomed us and I was forced to ask Khalif what really happened. He looked at me and said oh boy it was all a fluke ………

DREAMS PART 5

Immediately Aisha saw her father, the whole fun became sour. She started a reprisal form of act.
She suddenly started crying thanking Allah her father came to her rescue.
She ran towards the general and fell down at his feet like a lady that was really raped.
I looked up and saw the fury in her father’s face. I saw death face to face and it wasn’t smiling.
He looked at her daughter and tears rolled down his eyes.
I tried to wear my boxers and the next I saw was stars…………

It was a deserted room with one small window.
The floor is colder than the normal floor.
Ventilation is a luxury no one enjoys when confiscated in this kind of environment.
Later on I discovered it was called ‘guard room’.
I was still naked but my clothes were packed beside me.
I didn’t understand anything for almost an hour when I became a live again.
The drama started playing in my mind again.
Genuinely I didn’t hate Aisha; instead I became scared.
How easily a woman can change in times of trouble.
I slowly put on y clothes and the door opened afterwards.
The soldier entered the room with a whip and asked me to go out of the guard room.
He helped my back with one stroke from the whip and then I knew it was impossible surviving outside.

Lagos is rough I know but I don’t suffer this way. Abuja is full of oppression.
If you don’t belong in the clique that determines the progression
or retrogression just be loyal and believe in your God.
I have lived with this family and I’ve seen three different vantage points of life.
I walked up the stairs and discovered the guard room was a basement.
It leads to the passage beside the lawn tennis court.
I saw Aisha and Mustapha with some other of their dad’s friend.
All military inclined and Mustapha looked at me as if I betrayed him.

They were drinking and the general was smoking a Cuban cigar.
One of the friends asked if this was the rapist and he answered yes.
What is your name? I answered Francis Itohan.
Which Itohan is that I said the one from Edo state?
His attention intensified and after a little inquisition I discovered he was my father’s step brother.
My savior has arrived I knew. I thank God for saving me from the lion’s den and I promised to serve him all my life. Colonel Osaze looked at me and asked how it all happened. Without mincing words I got into the narration. I cried half the time I was narrating. They would have felt it was emotions; not knowing it was the pains the slap gave me. The general looked at Aisha and she couldn’t deny it any longer. He asked her over and over if I really raped her and at last she said no. general felt so bad; he pulled me closer and told me next time be outspoken. He gave a pat on my back.
He called one of his men whispered something and off I went.

I was taken to another guest house a little more of distance than the former and all was set for me in this guest house. I was left with two staff that is ready to do whatever I want.
Whatever meal I wanted; whatever channel I want to watch and jokingly I asked for a girl then a
lovely slim girl entered the room. She came with an intention that sex was the reason.
I just needed to play with someone. She tried coming close as I pushed away.
It was in the midst of this that Aisha entered the room and shouted at her to get out.
She knelt down to apologize and fearfully I pulled her up.
She dropped a cheque on the bed and looking closely it was my name
with an amount in words: fifteen million naira only. I was so happy;
I pulled her to me and gave her a kiss. She pushed me back and said.
This and many more under one condition……. You must marry me