Love Song

Uche Onyebuchi had a sadistic boyfriend Damian Oroyo who derived pleasure from assaulting her and he was also very unfaithful to her. But, she never knew that he had short temper and was very aggressive until she had started the relationship and he wouldn?t let her go. She had fallen for his Big Brother image and tough Macho Man image whilst he courted her with his sweet words and said he wanted to marry her. She was in love with the tall and muscular Damian who drove a Benz coupe and a power bike. And she loved the jolly rides he gave her cruising all over the city of Lagos with his gang.

"Uche dearest, you know being seen with you makes me walk tall on the street. Your beauty is awesome! I will always love you," Damian whispered into her ears as they were regaling on the sand of the Bar Beach on the Victoria Island. His buddies were there as usual. And they all concurred. She was swept off her feet and he did so as he carried her up in his powerful arms and went toward the surging waves of the Atlantic Ocean. She was excited and thrilled as Damian walked into the waves and they made a big splash!
"Whoosh!" He shouted and she yelled with pleasure.

He started kissing her all over her body and they rolled over out of the waves to the sand. She purred with pleasure. The sweet memory would linger on in her heart.

Uche was a final year student of political science at the University of Lagos who came from an average middle class family. Damian lied that he had graduated from the University of Nsukka. But, the truth was he had been expelled from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, for cultism four years ago when he was only in his second year. And he had been peddling hard drugs and trading in stolen and smuggled items in his so called runs. His ultimate goal was to leave Nigeria for the United States of America. He would be better off in God's own country he concluded and was already speaking in a fake Yankee accent to impress his buddies. And his parents who were successful traders wanted to support him to get the much sought after American Visa.

"America will be good for you. In fact, you look like them, like that American in the film we watched at the Silverbird Cinema, Walking Tall. Damian, odogwu woke onye America, my tall and fine boy, you look like your father, my son, like the lion himself," his father always spoke in praise of him, half in English and in their native Igbo language, their mother tongue. Patting Damian's back and Damian felt proud as his mother nodded affirmatively.
"You are getting the visa. Even, if it will cost one million naira, I will pay. We cannot lose the investment. I trust my son. Within twelve months, he will send us one million dollars! Gbam! Are you not the son of the lion? The first son of Chief Agunegbuodum Oroyo, Agu One of Umuagu."
"Papa, I will not disappoint you. Once, I enter USA, even the Statue of Liberty will know that a lion has entered their land and the Yankees will hear my roaring from the airport! And fear will grip them! Egwu ga tu fa ne le!" Damian said and roared with some dance steps that the father loved to see and both father and son began to stomp up and down the spacious living room to the admiration of Lolo Nwadima Oroyo, the equally boisterous mother of Damian who loved her husband and first son. She smiled with glee as the old lion and young lion roared as if they were really lions in the jungle. She was the lioness.
Father and son soon started drinking brandy and Damian's mother also drank. She brought their favourite native cuisine of smoked fish and vegetables and they enjoyed eating the food, smacking their lips with relish. Damian was like the father who was a fearless and intimidating titleholder in the Igbo tribe well known for his successful trading in motor spare parts with several shops at Idumota and Onitsha.

One stormy night, Damian was high on drugs and wanted to have fun with Uche. But, she refused. Because, she was in her period and felt ill. But, Damian would not accept her refusal.
"Damian. Please, I am not in the mood and I am not feeling well," Uche pleaded.
He insisted to have his way as usual, but Uche wouldn't bulge and he started beating her. He drove her out of his flat and out of the house into the storm. And left her outside to be beaten by the heavy rainfall without any shelter nearby.
It was a deserted street where the residents lived in houses behind high walls and gates of steel in fear of being attacked by robbers or night marauders that made Surulere their hunting grounds once night falls. So, he left her outside in the cold stormy night and shouted that she would soon be begging him to let her in.

She was shivering, as she got cold in the storm. If she had any money on her, she would have taken any available public transport vehicle back to the campus. And she couldn't walk there, because it was very far away. She was at the mercy of Damian. But, she would rather be left in the storm than be brutalized by Damian inside his apartment like a sheep in the lion's den.

Uche was weeping when she saw a tall figure with an umbrella appearing from around the corner of the street. A stranger.

Johnny Dibia saw her shivering with cold, drenched in the rainfall like a fowl crouching by the wall. It was a pathetic sight. What a pity. He had to approach her and he did so without wasting time and politely too. She thought he was like an angel from the blues coming to her rescue. He convinced her to follow him to his apartment in a house nearby. Where he served her hot tea and gave her a blanket to cover herself. She removed her wet dresses and he offered her his only bed to sleep on as she passed the night in his one room apartment whilst Johnny slept on the floor. She woke up in the morning to have a hot bath and a delicious breakfast Johnny provided with smiles. And he listened as she related her ordeals as Damian's girlfriend. Johnny said he knew Damian, but he avoided him to avoid trouble. He sympathized with Uche. He told her that he was only a struggling musician praying for a breakthrough. Somebody to believe in him and encourage him to succeed. And he played his box guitar to soothe her frayed nerves. She felt very comfortable in the peaceful atmosphere of his pleasant character and humble accommodation. And she wished she could just stay with him without Damian?s troubles. But, she was scared of Damian finding out where she had spent the night.

Johnny was escorting Uche to the bus stop to take a bus back to her campus when Damian saw them and confronted Johnny. He accused Johnny of taking advantage of Uche whom he called a weakling and he warned Johnny to keep off if he valued his life. Then, he dragged Uche away into his car and drove away as if he was chasing after something. Johnny was speechless. He felt sorry for Uche and wanted to rescue her from the bondage of Damian, the demon.

Later, on campus, Uche told her roommate Ronke Williams the whole story of what happened. Ronke was dating a bank manager named Jide Thomas who wanted Uche to go out with his colleague and buddy Tony Mafoluku. And they succeeded in convincing her to accept Tony. But, when Damian found out, he confronted and accused Johnny of turning Uche against him. He snatched and smashed Johnny's prized possession- the box guitar whilst his gang held Johnny back from preventing Damian. They threatened to break his neck next time. And they drove off, leaving Johnny to fall down on his knees as he tried to pick up the pieces of his smashed box guitar. They were like the pieces of a broken container of his dreams. He felt shattered and he swore to take Uche away from the grip of the brute.

Then, Damian and his gang attacked Tony's jeep parked in front of Queen Amina Hall, as he visited Uche on campus. They damaged the windscreen of the jeep and punctured all the tyres whilst Tony and Uche were having a good time with Jide and Ronke at a popular campus restaurant not far away. Tony was furious when he and his companions saw the terrible damages on his jeep. He reported to the Police. But, the Police said there were no real suspects to arrest and since no witnesses volunteered to identify the so-called suspects, Damian and his gang, they couldn't be arrested.

Damian succeeded in getting an American Visa and left for the United States of America after having a wild party to celebrate his departure. Boasting to make it big time and screw all those dick-sucking Yankee babes.

It was on another February 14. Johnny who knew of Damian's departure was now confident that he would convince Uche to become his girlfriend since he was really in love with her and he had been calling her persistently on mobile phone. But, she had been playing with his affections and poor Johnny amused Ronke. Johnny wanted to use the mood of the Valentine to woo Uche and he saved to buy a bouquet of fresh roses and original Chanel cologne to impress her. He called and she agreed to wait for him on campus. So, he dressed well and went to see her. But, he saw her leaving her hall with Tony. And she just waved him goodbye rather nonchalantly as they left in Tony's jeep. Johnny was left standing dejected and disappointed with the rose flowers and gift of designer perfume dangling in his hands.

Uche and Tony had a memorable Valentine Day of bliss. And Uche got pregnant for Tony. Johnny was disappointed when he found out. He was heart-broken and was slouching along the sidewalk of the street when he nearly collided with a pretty young lady. He apologized to her and she smiled. He was absent-minded and she seemed to understand his mood. She was kind. She gave Johnny an invitation card to a Christian fellowship and said her name was Rebecca before she entered a danfo minibus. He was going to tell her his own name, but the bus sped off before he could do so. There was an attraction, so Johnny honoured her invitation to the Pastor Bimbola Olukoya's Single & Married programme at the Fountain of Living Water Church in Ilupeju, Lagos. And he was excited to see her smiling face again. Rebecca was not only beautiful, but she was also a wonderful person. She came from a comfortable Christian family of seven. Her father was an attorney and her mother a midwife. Rebecca was the younger of their two daughters and older than their three sons who were all in secondary school. Rebecca was a part three student of Mass Communication at the Lagos State University's Ikeja campus. But, Johnny never told her that he was a part-time Law student. He soon composed new love songs in her honour. And she enjoyed listening to him humming them into her ears.

If I have to wait for one year
Even, if I have to wait for ten years.
As long as you are going to be my baby, I don?t mind to wait for your love.

If I could, I will give you heaven on earth.
If I could, I will give the sun and the moon.
If I could, I will give you the stars.
If I could, I will give you the four winds.
If I could, I will give you the seven seas.
Just to prove and to show you how much I love you!
Johnny crooned to her delight one evening as she was visiting him.

One day, Rebecca was visiting Johnny to give him a special birthday present. He was in the bathroom and she wanted to sit down and wait for him when she sat on some notebooks and textbooks and when she looked at them, she saw that they were all on Law and legal studies. She was curious and when he had seen the brand new acoustic guitar she bought for him for this birthday, and was very happy, she asked him what the Law textbooks and notebooks were doing in his room. Then, he confessed the truth to her. And she was proud to introduce him to her father and family. The father decided to train him until Johnny went through Law School in Lagos.


Five Years Later.

Uche was regretting her marriage with Tony and her only consolation was their four-year-old daughter Rachel. Uche was very unhappy and dejected, because Tony was no longer the caring and loving man who promised her heaven on earth whilst courting her years ago.
"The honeymoon is over!" Tony had shouted as he slapped her again in one of his fits of fury. He was very unfaithful and was also using her as a punching bag at the slightest provocation. She was fed up and wanted divorce. Ronke encouraged her. Ronke was separated from her husband, a very wealthy older man she had married after dumping Jide. She was well known for her infidelity in the gossip columns of the notorious gossip magazines and newspapers circulated in the city. So, she wanted Uche to divorce Tony and be like her. Single and free!
"You had better leave that brute before he kills you," Ronke said.
Uche agreed. And went to see some lawyers in their chambers.

There, she was surprised to see Johnny as the Senior Principal Partner.
"Johnny, when did you become a lawyer?"
"Five years ago."
"Five years! So, you were already studying Law when we met?"
"Yes."
"But, you said you were only a musician? A guitar boy."
"Yes, a guitar boy who was also reading Law at the university."
"Oh, Johnny! If only you told me."
"You did not give me the chance."
Uche was full of apologies and regrets. If only she could turn back the hands of the clock of Time. She blamed Ronke for her predicament. It was Ronke who lured her away from Johnny and deceived her to succumb to Tony. And she fell for his generous advances. But, once Tony got her pregnant, he changed and became uncaring and nasty. She had to marry him, even though she never really loved him. Tony was unfaithful and when she summoned courage to challenge him, he beat her up and left her with black eyes and pains all over her body. She had miscarriages after their daughter was born. Tony had made her life miserable. She wanted divorce. But, Johnny advised her against it and referred her to Pastor Bimbola Olukoya who counseled Uche and prayed for her. Uche did as the Pastor advised and reconciled with Tony who became sober and repentant.

"I am going to tell you a true love story. The story of how I found true love after a broken heart. Because, true love waits and true loves heals the broken heart," Johnny said to the attentive audience before him as he stood on the stage of the assembly hall of their church. He was gazing at Rebecca as he was speaking. Then, he saw Uche walking into the hall accompanied by Tony and their daughter. He was glad to see them. One united family.

Johnny and Rebecca were very happy to welcome Uche and Tony as they came to their annual Valentine love feast "The Greatest Love of All" with their beautiful daughter Rachel. Johnny entertained the audience and sang his hit single "Love Song" that was a narrative of the love story of his life.

N.B:
I wrote Love Song for the purpose of producing the film and it has been posted in my journal on oprah.com
http://www.oprah.com/journal/journal_my_read.jhtml?_DARGS=/journal/journal_my_main_page.jhtml.4_A&_DAV=D383500370.

It was written before Pastor Bimbo Odukoya died. I deliberately changed the surname to Olukoya.

I have been hiding this story to prevent Nollywood hawks from stealing or plagiarizing it. And even now that I have posted it on a Nigerian forum for the first time, I am afraid of others whose best skills are to copy and plagiarize the works of hard working writers.
Because, Nigerians can dub from cheating in examinations and writing theses to stealing the works of others.

Let me describe d story in one word,
SPLENDID.
Orikinla, u r just too good, big ups bro.
Ladies r to learn from this, its not all about money.Wat happend to Damian and i like Johnny's character.
Hardwork and patience pays in the end.
Memories- Thinkin about Bimbo Odukoya(May her soul rest in perfect peace)
Hope to read more of this.
All da best.

Phlota:

Let me describe d story in one word,
SPLENDID.
Orikinla, you're just too good, big ups bro.
Ladies r to learn from this, its not all about money.What happend to Damian and i like Johnny's character.
Hardwork and patience pays in the end.
Memories- Thinkin about Bimbo Odukoya(May her soul rest in perfect peace)
Hope to read more of this.
All da best.

Phlota,
Thank you for taking time to read it.

I hope to dedicate the movie to the memory of Pastor Bimbo Odukoya.

Everything depends on God.

I am using my books to raise funds for the movies I am going to start shooting from early 2007 by God's grace.

The movies are in the following order.
1. Naked Beauty ( already in progress)
2. Love Song.
3. When An Angel Sings.

I must say wit al modesty dat u ar a gud writer.I dont mind being in any of ur movies.I am also workin on a novel dat can b in d movie category. U can reach me on 08028498818 or talk2debola2@yahoo.com Keep d gud work up.More ink 2 ur pen n mo power 2 ur imagination.

debqueen:

I must say wit al modesty that u ar a good writer.I don't mind being in any of your movies.I am also workin on a novel that can b in d movie category. U can reach me on 08028498818 or talk2debola2@yahoo.com Keep d good work up.More ink 2 your pen n mo power 2 your imagination.

Debqueen,
Thanks.

Allright.
But please, may I advise you to delete your private telephone number and e-mail address from your post for your own good.

God bless.