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The Day I Died (reloaded) by ghostwritter(m): 6:31pm On Jun 27, 2020 |
From the stables of GHOST PRODUCTION in partnership with NAIRALAND ENTERTAINMENT and NEW INSIGHT STUDIOS presents: THE DAY I DIED (Revised and completed version). My appreciation to all my followers who followed this story in 2014 when I was just starting out. This is my shortest work and would end soon. You can read more of my works on okadabooks.com * All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transported in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, re-cording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher of the book. * The moral right of Omotayo Taofiq Suleman to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. * This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. You can reach me if you need an interesting/catchy story line for a movie or for your affordable BOOK COVERS or any other information through osuleman11@gmail.com/ Whatsapp 08068833118 Adesina12, Ann2012, Khristarl, enirock, prudysara, mhizv, okikioluwafemi, purity23, LordOfsamosa, emmadejust, lady25, skubido, doctorexcel, Demikol, tomic1, Christipsy, damis28crown, genius43, divenelypruned, Rasmodox101, oyinella, Embellished, Ayanfe29, ujunwa14, preshbeauty, Ven97, veenessha, Bemby69, NobleC28, Hantonia, KrazzyAndy, Davonyi, Xaviercasmir, ADUKKY, Adeola25, Herbiedeen, Conap2020, Luvspa90, Humbleness, plolly, Thebigdream, zara20, Dacaller, Tashacobbs, vivienD, germophobe, Tenaj, Tonyspecial, eROCK247, Kindler101, Adekunlated, Darejoe60, ufss, Akinwale14. 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Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by ghostwritter(m): 10:41pm On Jun 27, 2020 |
THE DAY I DIED * 5:45am The alarm by my bed side kept buzzing loud enough to jerk up any sluggish horse. Luckily, it jolted me from a horrible dream, it was indeed a nightmare. In my dream I saw myself forcefully locked-up in a coffin and was being lowered deep into the earth. Within the topless coffin which I lay helplessly I saw handful of sincere mourners staring down at me as I slowly sank. I knew them all, though it seems. Indeed, I was the cause for their sorrowful gathering. Weird, I felt I was dead but yet I was still alive, I was suffocating. I could neither move nor shout like I had been spell bond within the horrible dark coffin. Suddenly, I felt a mysterious wind rush through my pores causing a great fright within my body system. Very strong, very sharp and mischievous, a strange voice whispered into my ears “Tekun, it’s time!” I turned off the alarm after being conscious enough to know I was back in my room, relieved. I considerably dwelled on the fading images of the dream lingered in my memory, I thought I had knew all those I saw in my dream but again I couldn’t have known any of them, they had looked like slaves bond to come mourn one of theirs. I sighed realizing how my mind had just wandered into what appeared. I pushed aside any bad thought as I crawled out of bed. 6:02 am I quickly went through my usual morning routine which was slowly becoming a habit: Forty press-ups, twenty sit-ups, gulped a bottle of water and a short prayer before heading to the bathroom. Within a short while I was fully dressed and stood admiring myself in the half length mirror, I frowned as I was done knotting my tie and then reminded the young man in the mirror again that he had to keep up with the marketing job if he must get paid. I was fed up of the banking job already after months attempting to catch up with what always seems an impossible financial target. I have always toyed with the thought of walking up to the Branch manager in his busy mood and spite him with my resignation letter. I would always end up yanking the idea knowing it would be impossible. I had a quick breakfast of my regular tea and bread, switched off all electrical appliances, picked up my bag from corner I dropped it the previous day, stepped out of my apartment and locked the door behind me. I stood still for awhile trying to figure out if I had not forgotten do or carry anything, I did a quick brain scan of all the objects and activities which probably I could had left undone, but nothing. As I turned to leave, my phone rang, it was my sister. I was surprised she called very early and besides she had called me the previous day to request for money she would use to acquire a new phone. I picked up. “Kemi what is it again, I thought we agreed I would send the money to you on friday?” “Good morning bro. Tee”? She calmly greeted from the other end. I felt guilty realizing I ought to have greeted her or more appropriately waited for her to greet. “How are you?” “I am not fine?” she sounded droopy. I could swear it was about the money for phone, she has this thing for making one feel guilty for her wants. I wasn’t even in the mood for her emotional blackmail, I was about to let out my mind when she continued. “I had a dream about you” My heart almost sank. One thing I grew to know Kemi for is her belief in her dreams, more especially her nightmares and how few had come true just like when she proclaimed the death of my project supervisor during my final year in the university. I sensed she had had the same dream as mine. I heaved, could this be a message of my death? And for the first time in a very long time I was eager to know what she wishes to say. “Was I in your dream?” I curiously asked. “Yes” I felt my heart hitting my chest harder. “Was I laid in a grave with few people crying for my death?” I heard her gasped, I assumed she must be staring shockingly at her phone “No!” she shouted animatedly “God forbid, how could you say such thing about yourself?” I don’t understand “So what is this dream about?” I couldn’t take the suspense. “I dreamt you got married to a beautiful lady, both of you looked so happy together as you walked through the aisle. Everyone in our church were gathered, even Reverend Benjamin was the one who…” “Just hold it there” I cut in furiously “Is this why you called me?” “Yes” she replied with excitement in her voice “I was so happy when I woke up, I plan to tell mummy about it” If only she could see my expression, I was sure she would have stopped talking. I calmed myself with my mantra ‘Monday morning anger kills the entire week. Nobody will ruin my week, not Mr. Kelvin the Branch Manager or Master Obina the head of marketing or even my sister “Kemi, thank you for the information, expect part of the money on Friday” I cut the call, glad I prevented my outburst. 6:59 am I was out of my compound heading towards the street with hope of sighting any motorcyclist. The area was barely empty of a ride as I hurriedly walked along. I was hoping to get to the office early enough to avoid that Eagle-eyed Mr. Kelvin who has always got something to pick with me. My eyes caught a human figure seated on the floor ahead by the road side, I assumed the person was begging for alms so I reluctantly moved closer after subdued by my conscience, I dropped the least significant currency in my purse into an empty tray in front of whoever it was, I sighed in relief knowing I had started my day with one good deed enough to probably last me for the entire week. After a short walk away from the beggar, I heard someone call out a familiar name behind me. I turned around hoping to see someone who perhaps had mistaken me for someone else but then I was surprised to see no one was behind me, not even the beggar anymore. I couldn’t stop trembling even after the motorcyclist had dropped me at Nyanya motor-park where I was then to board a bus to work. I lined up, bought my bus ticket and then made it into the bus like nothing was bothering me. How did the beggar disappeared so fast and could it have been the beggar that called out that name I heard in my dream? Tekun! Or was it all just playing in my head. Maybe the beggar wasn’t there after all, maybe the voice was from someone around the neighborhood, maybe the name ‘Tekun’ was…Damn it! I tried shutting down the thought of all that happened moments ago and focus on the present. Speaking of the present, there ahead of me was a beautiful lady already seated in the bus while I was scanning for an empty seat, and lucky me, there was one next to her. I rushed up to sit before anyone could notice it and a funny sense of achievement swelled in me. Maybe this is the lady Kemi was talking about. I wished and thought of a game plan. This beautiful lady was too engrossed with a video on her phone that she wouldn’t reply my ‘Hello!’ I dared myself by tapping her gently on her arm. And when she eventually turned, she looked at me with so much hostility on her. I refused to be discouraged by consoling myself that it is a normal treat by the female specie and besides that was how my mother treated dad before she gave in. I decided to try my shot one more time and as I was about saying a word, a young guy walked up to me with two plastic drink and snakes, he just stood staring at me without words. What’s wrong with this one? I was getting pissed-off by his presence. This strange guy wouldn’t move away nor say a word, he was just frowning at me and I grew uneasy, he had caused a stare among few passengers. “Bros, go and find yourself another empty seat, you can see I’m already seated here” I said desperately hoping for no physical confrontation. Still without a word this strange guy handed the drinks and snacks to the beautiful lady beside me and then faced me again to make a sign language expertly with his hands. While I was still struggling to make out what the guy was saying, the lady was laughing and so were many others around me. I felt foolish after I realized he is the original owner of the seat who had briefly left the bus to go get something to eat for himself and his fiancée. I would have opted out of the bus for another knowing how uncomfortable I would be after what had happened but I was running late already and with the long bus almost filled. I stood up and was lucky to go take the only available space by the end of the bus, it was an uncomfortable spot but I was out of option seeing that would was the only seat left. Next to me seated was an old woman who appeared so haggard, the air around her oozed so bad making me want to cover my nose, I could feel her body trembling under a rag-like attire as she cautiously leaned on me. if I had my way I would had moved away from her to another seat but I knew I would have to endure the about twenty-five minutes drive unless I want to join those standing to grab poles. A man quickly began to advertize a product to those who cared to listen, it was a small sealed paper he waded along with exalting words of how the medicine can cure almost all ailment. The bus was yet to move. I couldn’t stop glancing at my wrist watch and also enduring the stench from the old woman. “Good morning ma” I greeted her with a nod trying to be polite as I would have done to any aged person. She was quiet for a moment like she did hear or notice my presence. I repeated the courtesy. Again I got no response. Then I concluded she must have got problem hearing or her mind engrossed in something more important. She slowly turned to me fixing her gaze into my eyes searchingly. Looking closely at her face startled me, she had a much frail appearance; a long deep scar runs across her crinkly face, her eyes were fatigued as every hair on her had turned grey. “The world is cruel” she said in a hoarse voice. Did she just spoke to me? What was that about? I looked away in pretense not to have heard. “It had made me what I am” she said again, but this time looking away from me and focusing on something through the window like she was addressing herself. I grew nervous realizing I could be seated next to one who had lost touch with sanity. Slowly, she turned again and spoke quietly to me, she looked frightened “My love, death is here again, I can’t safe them all but I can safe you this time if only you let me” “Excuse me, are you talking to me?” She nodded “Yes, it’s you Tekun” O my goodness! Did she just mention the name Tekun? I stared back at her stunned. How could she have…? I held my though midway as my eyes caught something, it was her cloth, the same one as the beggar. I gasped. Like she read my thought, she smiled enough to reveal scanty lines of brown tooth. Is this some kind of nightmare? I looked at the passengers, listened to the noises and could feel they were all real. Maybe the woman is just crazy and had followed me for whatever reason known to her. I swore not to speak a word to her till I reach my destination, pretended nothing had happened and was happy the bus was about to move away from the park. “Take” she pointed a big Kola nut to me with her trembling bony hands. “Excuse me!” I was becoming irritated by her crazy act. “Just take” she raised her voice persuasively. I was surprise not a single passenger cared about what was going on with me; I guessed they thought it was a grandmother-grandson conversation. Who the hell is this woman? Reluctantly, I collected the Kola nut from her reassuring myself all will be fine if I play along enough to avoid a scene for the mean time. “When all this is over and you wish to seek answers to your questions then I am sure you know what to do with it” she paused to look across the bus pitifully for a brief moment and to me again with a grieving face “I await you on the other side my love” she added conclusively before vanishing into thin air. My jaw dropped, and while I was still trying to come in term with what just… Booooom! Dreamily, I caught glimpse of an explosion that rocked, causing earthquake effect and destroying everything that crossed it path. *** 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by kalajina(m): 12:06am On Jun 28, 2020 |
following
don't stop Noe bro |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by Austeeenxx: 8:00pm On Jun 28, 2020 |
If you don't finish this story, me and you go get problem. |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by missuniverse(f): 12:36pm On Jun 29, 2020 |
It's been a while |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by ghostwritter(m): 1:21pm On Jun 29, 2020 |
**** ** 14th April, 2014. 8:04am I jerked from a bad dream. I was surprised to see the day broken so clearly, I was beyond shock that I was still in bed when I was supposed to be on my way to work. “Good lord!” I exclaimed as I saw what time it was. I must have slept so deep not to have heard the alarm. No doubt this time, I would be getting a suspension or more possibly sacked from work. “But wait o” I paused on my way to the bathroom “What just happened…a déjà vu?” I thought aloud to myself while recollecting what transpired in my dream “Was that suppose to be a dream?” I reconsidered after realizing how real the whole thing had felt. After I had hurriedly dressed up with no time for breakfast, I saw so many missed calls as I checked my phone before heading out. Twelve of it had been from relatives and five from colleagues at work. I was puzzles to what could have happened. I finally decided to dial Kemi feeling it could be about the dream. “Bro. Tee is that you?” Kemi’s voice came up eagerly. What sort of question is that? “Of course it’s me, hope all is well with you?” “Thank God!” she sighed in relief and excited. I could hear her revealing to someone around her that I was still alive. “Kemi what’s going on?” “Haven’t you heard?” “Heard what?” “The bomb blast that just occurred over there in Abuja, mum and I have being trying to reach you as soon as we heard to confirm if you…” “Bomb…bomb blast? When…how?” “Just few minutes ago, it’s on every news channel, they said its one Nyanya bus stop” I reassured her I was fine and would get back to her after seeing the news. Master Obina called almost immediately to know if I was fine, he was more relieved than angry when I told him I was presently at home. I switched on the television, tuned to a popular news channel and there it was as the Breaking news. The famous Nyanya motor-park had been the latest of many hits by a terror group Boko haram. What a coincidence! The images shown of the havoc by the news channel was devastating. It was reported over fifty dead and hundreds injured as at that moment, more details were promised to be aired. I realized if I had woken up as early as I had anticipated, I would have been a victim of the tragedy. Lucky me. There and then I decided I wouldn’t be going to work, I called Master Obina of my decision and he understood under such circumstances. I was happy knowing I have got the entire day to myself with plans to watch movies. For a moment, I sat down to reminisce on my dream…or could it be a vision of a tragedy I could have prevented. I walked up to the fridge to prepare quick breakfast and while I was spreading the butter on two slices of bread I noticed something bulging in my pocket, I brought it out, it was a Kola nut. What! Quickly, I called Kemi with aim to help clear my doubt. The situation was making me question my sanity. “Hello bro. Tee” she picked after the first ring. “Kemi, I would like to confirm something” “What is it?” “Did you at anytime called me this morning to narrate a dream you had of me, something about me getting married?” She paused for a while and I wondered why she even had to take more than a second to think that through. It should be a Yes or No. “How did you know?” her voice came alive, she sounded amazed. “How did I know what? What do you mean?” “Truly I had a dream last night of you getting married to a lady whom you both loved each other…but I haven’t told anyone about it, not mummy nor you, so how did you get to know about it?” I was beyond confused as I still couldn’t figure out what was happening around me. “Are you sure you never spoke of it to me? Maybe you forgot you did” “I’m so sure I never did. In fact I’m still at shock how you knew about it” she paused and soon added “Brother, is everything alright with you?” “No…I mean yes, I will be alright” I dropped the call. One thing I was certain about was that something weird was ongoing and it was making me paranoid. I dashed outside of my compound towards the street hoping to see the beggar but there was none. Back in my apartment, I doubted if anyone would belief what was happening to me if were to explain it. I picked up the Kola nut from the table where I had frightfully dropped it to look much closely at it; it was exactly the same as the one in my dream…or vision. Indeed, I needed answers to my many questions, so I bite from the Kola nut and cautiously chewed while my eyes searched around in anticipation the old woman magically puffs out from thin air. It was almost an hour and I had chewed half of the Kolanut without sign of anything strange. Maybe the entire incident is just a coincidence…or perhaps my imagination running wide, but that hadn’t explained how the Kola nut had mysteriously found its way into my pocket. When I had concluded on dismissing all thought of what had happen to doing something of fun, my body began to feel strange with severe headache and high body temperature enough that made me felt I had been set on fire. I rolled on the floor screaming for help but that lasted briefly before every part of me was paralyzed. It occurred to me there and then how dying felt like alone in my room with no one to call upon. I just laid there motionlessly waiting for my end and soon my heartbeat stopped. * April 14, 1914. Igbodudu village. Somewhere in West-Africa. I tried to open my eyes but the sharp ray from the sun pricked it, I shielded it with my hands as I slowly sat up to look around. I was puzzled realizing I was within thick vegetation, a forest. “If I hadn’t know you better, I would have thought you wouldn’t come”. Frighteningly I turned around to see the old woman standing above me, her skeletonic frame wrapped in dirty cloak. I rushed to my foot confused about what was going on. “What am I doing here…what have you done to me?” “You will be alright” she gave an assuring smile. No, I can’t be alright; I searched around again to confirm if it’s another dream but everything around smelt, sounded and felt so real like my senses were heightened. I asked if I was dead. She paused and was thoughtful for awhile; she simply ordered that I follow her before she turned to slowly walk the other way with the support of a long stick. “No, I will not follow you till you tell me what is happening” The old woman kept forging ahead without a response. Seeing how far she had gone ahead, I ran and caught up with her feeling unsafe alone in a strange place. I followed sheepishly as she led me through the forest, I would have asked a hundred questions but I presumed she wouldn’t answer. After a short walk, she stopped behind a big Oak tree and caressed it. “Do you remember this tree?” she asked while still touching it bark. Could she be talking to me? And if yes, how am I suppose to know when I haven’t been there before. “Ooh this tree, it witnessed the beginning of our love and also saw how it was snatched from us” I couldn’t make sense of her words. “Honestly Ma, I don’t understand what is going on here” “Wait for it” she said while staring ahead of her expectantly. Quickly, I hid behind a tall grass as I heard ruffling sound approaching ahead. The old woman stood, she was looking straight at the direction from which the sound was coming from, I couldn’t help but notice she seem expectant of what was about to appear. The ruffle was accompanied with sounds of giggle and laughter by someone else, the ascending sound of footsteps was approaching our direction. I saw a young man and a woman walked out hand-in-hand to the glare, they looked so happy and cheerful together as they walked towards where I was hiding. The two walked towards the Oak tree and stopped to face each other, looking into each other’s eyes so passionately enough to convince anyone they are lover even though they are strangers to me. To my surprise, the old woman was standing next to them and it seems her presence was never noticed by the 'love birds'. “You don’t need to hide, they can’t see us” the old woman said. She was right, I realized the two strangers kept on acting like we were never there even after I stood close to them. “Why can’t they see us?” “That is because we presently exist in a different time from theirs. What sort of magic is this? It’s really crazy. The whole thing freaked me out. The young man was heavily built with an iron strapped around his neck and merely had a piece of cloth round his waist while the young lady looked beautiful and neat in her royal-like attire, her body embellished with beads and ornaments. I asked who they were but I got no reply, the old woman was engrossed by the presence of the strange lovers who had had that time wrapped themselves into one another passionately. “Tekun, nothing can ever come between us, not even the gods” the young lady said to the young man. That name again. Did she just call him Tekun? “Asake, what about your father? I am his slave and that means he owns my life, he decides whatever he wishes with it. He is so powerful and very strong. I would be right to say I fear him more than the gods themselves” the young man said with much worry on him. The young lady frowned and held tighter to the man’s strong arms “I swear by the gods of this land that if he tries to take you away from me, I will kill myself” “No, please don’t do anything evil upon yourself” “Yes I will because I can’t imagine myself living a life without you in it and that is why I came to give you this” she brought out something from her wrapper and showed it to the man. The man looked closely at it. “It looks like a Kola nut” “Yes it is, but it is more powerful than what it looks like, it’s no ordinary” The man looked curious and I could see he wanted to ask what the Kola nut was all about before the lady continued. “What we need to do is to first profess our love to one another” she began enthusiastically “and then we would both agree on how long our love would last before we finally eat it. The man asked how she came about it. “Iya Akokaa” she replied reluctantly. The man appeared surprised “That barren witch? She is not to be trusted, how would you even go to her in the first place” “But she alone understands what I feel for you after I explained the situation to her, she was willing to help us and that was why she gave me this” The man looked at the Kola nut distrustfully “Did she tell you of its repercussions?” “She said there is none, all she told me was that it is a powerful charm that binds love for as long as we both want it to last” she sounded assuring and continued animatedly “So, I Asake the daughter of Ariyike and Fijabi swear by the gods of our land to love you Erutekun the slave of Balogun Fijabi Ajijogun for eternity, let this Oak tree be our witness” she said and immediately ate a small portion of the Kola before giving the man who was still surprise. “Don’t you think eternity is too long a time?” “No my love, I wish to be with you forever” she wouldn’t let go his arm. It was the man’s turn for the oath but I saw the look on him, I could tell he was afraid. “Are you sure about this whole thing?” “Yes I am” she nodded. He shrugged in acceptance “I Erutekun the slave of Balogun Fijabi Ajijogun swear by the gods of this land to love you Asake Ajijogun for a…hundred years” he paused for Asake’s reaction and went on to bite the Kola nut seeing she was fine with it. “May the gods forever bear us witness as I am today your wife and you my husband!!” Asake shouted cheerfully. Erutekun paused for a while; something still seemed to bother him. “What is it my love? You look so worried, is it because of my father?” “No, not that, it’s about a dream I had this morning, it bothers me” “What sort of dream could bother my husband so much? Please tell me about it” she caressed his beards. He hesitated for awhile but gave in after Asake’s persistence. “I dreamt I was buried alive” he heaved and continued “I felt so helpless and scared” Asake gasped “My husband, that’s obviously a bad omen, we need to go see Iya Akokaa, she should be able to tell us what next to do. “No, I don’t think it’s…” “So it is true what I heard!” A bold voice confronted from afar. From where I stood I saw a very tall slender man approaching the two lovers majestically in his full Agbada regalia , he was accompanied by four hefty men who all had the same pieces of cloth and rusty iron around their necks the same as that on Erutekun. From where I stood looking, glimpse of nostalgia washed me, creating a sense of terror to come. I saw fear on Erutekun and Asake as both appeared terrified like they had seen Death itself, she clustered behind her man who seemed to had lost the confidence he once had when alone with his lover, they acted threatened by the presence of the strangers like puppies in front of hungry hyenas. The young lovers instantly held each other’s hand and ran into the forest behind them. The other men attempted to dash right after them but they were ordered to stop by the tall slender man who had an air of authority around him, one could easily tell he was the master while the four others were his subjects. His subjects weren’t surprised as they withdrew immediately; it seems they knew their master had got a trick in his sleeves. The master stepped forward; he pulled out a big snail shell from his pocket, poured out its content into his hand. I watched him grumbling an incantation and after a while he blew the powdery substance into the winds, he quickly stepped back with a wicked grin on him, so sure of himself and seemed to be expecting something to happen and almost immediately something strange happened. The white substance mysteriously took the form of a big human skull; the skull seemed to have a life of its own when it opened it mouth in a wild and horrific manner. I trembled from behind the Oak tree where I watched, it reminded me of the stunts in horror movies, even the four slaves looked so scared. “Go strike down that bastard of a slave called Erutekun, paralyze him!” Master ordered the object, the mysterious skull drifted into the forest almost with the speed of light accompanied with wind. Almost immediately, a scream erupted from within the forest, it was Aduke’s. Evil grin filled the master’s face while nodding satisfactorily. He ordered three of his subject to proceed into the forest and bring the lovers out from it. Soon, Erutekun and Asake were seen carried out from the forest and dropped in front of the master. Erutekun fell to the ground like bag of beans, he couldn’t move any part of his body except his eyes, he looked almost lifeless from my position, and I couldn’t help to think of a lamb ready for slaughter. “Baba mi ejooo. Please father, have mercy on him!” Asake was already on her knees crying. She obviously knew what her father was capable of doing and what her father must have done to Erutekun. Master shunned Asake and ordered that she should be tied to the Oak tree. All along, the old woman silently watched with keen interest as tears rolled down her wrinkled face. She sighed “It was like the gods witnessed the agony that beheld us, they wept for us” as she said those words, the atmosphere changed into a storm and not long rain began to pour heavily, but surprisingly, not a single drop of rain fell on the old woman and I. Weird!. Soon, the whole atmosphere was electrifying with thunder strikes along with heavy wind and it was obvious that nature was at rage. The master seemed not bothered by the heavy rain even as he was drenched in it. He approached Erutekun, stood above him like a predator above its helpless prey. From behind the tree where I watched, I wasn’t sure if Erutekun was dead or alive as he lay motionless under the heavy rain. I felt angry and pity as I watched. “Isn’t there something we can do to help them” I asked the old woman. “No” Asake already tied to the tree struggled to fight loose while she kept crying for her lover to be left unhurt. I observed Asake closely and was shocked when it dawned on me the possibility of who she could be. “I am sorry to ask but is Asake your daughter?” She slowly shook her head, paused and turned her wet face to me, her eyes held more pain. “I am Asake…and that man over there” she points to the master “…is Fijabi Ajijogun my father” My jaw dropped. How possible is that? She went on pointing to Erutekun “And that man on the ground was you” Was me? And for the first time, I realized Erutekun would have looked so much like me if not for his heavy beards. *** ***** 7 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by xaviercasmir(m): 7:15pm On Jun 29, 2020 |
Wow your story makes it looks like I am watching an epic African movie. Nice work bro |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by Shedyprosper(m): 7:31am On Jun 30, 2020 |
Nice 1 bro |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by ghostwritter(m): 2:25pm On Jul 01, 2020 |
****** *** April 14, 2010. (University campus) 7:18 am. It was on a Wednesday morning, I had rushed into the school library to quickly and quietly get something to read for the final year exam which was to hold in the afternoon. I was shocked but not too surprised to see how filled-up the University library was, I saw heads above every table and every seat were occupied with students who had their minds buried in whatever was in front of them. Don’t these students sleep at all? How on earth did they all make it to the library this early? I thought aloud as I glanced at my wrist watch. I was determined to find a place for myself among these bookworms, so I shuffled rows for empty seat and found one by a partially secluded corner of a last row; on the plastic seat was this old dusty book. I removed the book and placed it on the floor, dusted the seat and sat on it. Surprisingly, I couldn’t concentrate on my read after about half an hour. There was obviously no excuse for distraction as my space was conducive. I decided to take a quick walk around the library hoping it might help me get my mind together. As I walked round the book shelves glancing through every book cover, pretty faces and outfits on my way, I began to hear whispery calls of a name, it sounded creepy. I searched around and couldn’t see who called but rather just other students shuffling books from shelves. I felt uneasy and withdrew back to my seat but I was surprised to see a book on it, it was the book I had thrown to the floor, someone must had returned it on my seat just to pass a message -I guess-, but who could be? I attempted to drop the book on the floor but thought against it, I cautiously opened it and wasn’t much surprised it was someone’s dairy; I couldn’t help but pity it owner who must be in search of it. As I flipped open the cover page, I mentally swore not to read it content but only get the contact of it owner so I can help return it. The first page made me realized the diary was addressed to someone named ‘Tekun’, I attempted to stop right there but I went against my conscience and quickly flipped through the page to see a bold title ‘The Day I Died’, there where good narrative hand sketched images of villagers invaded by warlords, men bounded with chains and whipped with lashes, a man bound in chain hugging a nicely dressed lady under a tree, an angry looking man standing above another man under a stormy rain. I decided it would be an interesting story-dairy worthy of my time after all. It felt as if I was about prying into someone else’s life but then I cared less. ‘The Day I Died: My name is Asake Arinola Ajijogun, the only daughter to Balogun Fijabi Ajijogun and Aina Ariyike Ajijogun, these are what you need to know about my life and the day I died. They said the war started many years ago, most of the elders said it started about six generations far back, most of them could no longer remember exactly how the enmity had began but they had always warned us just as their fathers had been warned by their grand-fathers that the villagers of Isese kingdom are our sworn enemy and we should never hesitate to strike them down just like we do any poisonous reptile. One day, the warlords of my village staged a sudden attack upon the rivalry village Isese in the middle of one of their festive nights, they were all caught off-guard, It was too late for counter-attack, their men slaughtered, women raped and massacred, farmlands destroyed, houses burnt and their children were taken for slavery. My father Fijabi who was the chief warlord had the greatest share of the bounty and that included taking many of the able-body children for slavery, he made them work harder than adults and feeds them like rats, he made them swore oath to forever be under his command, he transformed few of them to his special warriors. It was on my twenty-one birthday when my father called me out from my room into the compound amidst all my female friends who had come to celebrate with me, he said he had a gift for me, I ran outside expecting to see a white horse he had earlier promised me but I was surprised to see some of my father’s special slaves paraded under scotching sun. Father wants me to pick two guards of my choice. It was every ladies dream to have a guard to them and there I was offered choice of two. I was excited and so were my friends for me when I inspected the men, they all looked hairy and very masculine with iron collars on their necks attached with rusty chains that linked them to one another, they all appeared fierce and alert; every one of them had his own unique physical feature but one of them had long caught my attention, father called him Erutekun because he had killed a Leopard with his hands when he was a boy, I had witnessed his kindness and sacrifice to his fellow slaves. I choose only Erutekun; the chain on him was loose but the iron collar stayed. Erutekun was tall, muscular and even with his bushy beards, he was handsome; he had the physical attributes any lady would desire in a man. His soul duty was to see to my protection and before the end of that day I renamed him Tekun. Days after days, I learnt new things about Tekun as we spent more time together, I had never related to any man as I did to him, at first he was very cautious of how he relates with me, trying to look away when I steal glances at him, he would often avoid intimate discussions and body contact when initiated but slowly it changed. It felt as if I cared more for him than any other person I had known, my emotions grew towards him enough to always have him around me. I wasn’t surprised when my mother noticed my affection for my slave guard, she warned me to discard whatever affection I have for him if I indeed truly love him but I was engrossed in my love for him to understand. It was on a full-moon when most village elders love to stay out-door to tell stories to children all night long. I was alone in my room thinking of my growing emotion for the man who was meant to be my mere guard. I thought of doing what my friends had always and secretly whispered about, at first I discarded the thought but after awhile I decided to see how it would work out, so I thought of an idea. I ordered Tekun to accompany me go see a friend, after a short walk away from home I stopped and sat under a tree to rest, I ordered Tekun to do likewise which he did after being reluctant and suggested we should be on our way. I saw in his eyes how concerned he was about me but would not wish to go beyond being just my guard. At that point I poured out my mind to him, told him how I felt about him, he looked baffled and scared. I suddenly kissed him while he was still going over my words, he smiled after he withdrew his lips and told me how he had also felt same way for me but was too scared to let it show, I was happy. We held each other, kissed and made love on the grasses, it felt painful as it was my first but I loved it, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. While at it, one of my father’s friend closest suddenly appeared from a corner of the farm, he was a strong agile man who was my father’s most loyal friend and would always do things to gain father’s trust, he must have had us trailed all along having suspected something, he ran back towards the village to go report what he had seen; Erutekun on sighting him as well and knowing full well the implication of his deed dashed-off after the man so fast, he ran like a wild dog after a rabbit, caught up with him midway and pounced on the man who was also struggling in the little way he could to escape, though the man was strong as well but he was no match for Erutekun. Erutekun appealed to the man who seemed adamant to having us reported. Another round of struggle broke between the men which led to Erutekun twisting his neck in a brutal manner, I understood he had no choice…we had no choice. Erutekun kept assuring me he had done what he did to protect our lives and most importantly our love, I believed whatever he said. I warned Erutekun from burying the corpse as it would be a curse upon the land if an innocent soul is buried in it. Instead, we hid it somewhere along the bush path not to be easily noticed, we both swore to keep our action secret and sneaked our way back into the village shortly before children resigned from the moonlight play. Like wild fire during harmattan, news spread so fast reaching every household within the village that one of Balogun’s friends was murdered in a cruel manner. My father the chief warlord on hearing the tragedy the third day grew frantic, he felt the village was no longer safe as long as the perpetrator of such brutal act is still within the community, he called my mother and I into his room telling us both to be very careful of where we go and who we talk to, he promised to add one more guard for me to ensure proper safety measures but I declined immediately. It was assumed such murderous act could only be a threat of war to come from angry neighboring communities most especially the village of Kereje. The oracle was consulted on the tragedy and Baba Ifa the village priest simply revealed proverbially that it was an act carried out by someone within. On one particular night, I had a bad feeling before going to bed and it led to a bad dream in which I saw myself underneath a large river, chained to a very big stone. I tried calling for help to Erutekun who was standing at the bank of the river but he couldn’t hear me. I woke up knowing it was a very bad omen, I was convinced death was about to separate Erutekun and I, so seek the help of a woman Iya Akokaa, she was a very mischievous old witch who had well disguised her true craft under her practice of selling herbs. I got to know about her from one of my friends. The next day, I visited the witch who dwells at the outskirt of the village, she looked younger and beautiful than I had imagined of a grand witch. Iya Akokaa showed great empathy as I narrated my plight but then promised to help after she told me how she could see death hovering me and that she alone has the power to help preserve my soul against it. I wondered if such was possible. She brought out a kola-nut from a black calabash around the corner in her hut, handed it over to me and told me what to do with it. I was grateful to her and asked what the price to pay for helping me was; she smiled and told me I should come back to pay her only when I am satisfied with her services. Then I should have known something was wrong. I was excited as I hurried back home before anyone notice my absence, I thought of how beautiful it would be for Erutekun and I to life as lovers forever and not even death would separate us. I was surprised to know death could be cheated. I was back to my father’s compound shortly before the sun braced the sky and there I saw Erutekun looking troubled, he told me how he had searched everywhere for me wondering what could had happen to me, I was glad no one else knew I had been away. I led him along into my room, locked the door behind him and kissed him, he wanted to say something -perhaps asked where I had been- but I wouldn’t stop kissing till he succumbed. We then made love till we both felt drained, I laid by his side stroking every hair on his wide heaving chest. It was exciting enough to be with the love of my life as nothing in the world made sense than laying next to him forever. I whispered sensual words into his ears and he kissed me in return at any opportunity he had, I was happy, so happy that I wished to capture that moment into the glance of eternity. I stood up and told Erutekun to follow me somewhere. Slowly, I led him far away from the village through pathways, farmlands, hills and river and finally made a stop under the shade of an Oak tree that stood in the center of a large space around the forest…” * “It was me who dropped the diary in the library so to let you know about me…about us” Said the old Asake “I needed to let you know who you really are and most importantly the covenant we forged” she added with tears. And then it all dawned on me. I gazed incredulously at the dying man lying in the rain. “So you mean I am the reincarnation of Erutekun, that I was once Erutekun?” She nodded “Yes my love, you were once the man I gave my heart to, the man I cherished with my life, whom I had place above my father’s threat, the man who died for our love!” more tears rolled down her wrinkled face. “The man who died for love?” “Why don’t you see for yourself how it all ended” she jerked her head towards the young Asake tied to the tree. Asake struggled to free herself from the tree but she was too frail for the strong palm fibers around her, she could no longer withstand the dying look on Erutekun who was then heaving heavily. She grew furious and mustered enough strength to insult her father; she knew exactly the right words with which to hurt her stubborn father and those were the word she bawled at him. Balogun Fijabi who appeared indifferent but yet raged at her daughters words to him calmly walked up to her. “ I Fijabi the son of the great Ajijogun will never stand to be insulted by my own daughter because of her childish love for a mere slave” he paused to look at her malevolently “I wouldn’t have believed that you my daughter could conspire with a mere slave to kill my most loyal friend” Asake was stunned by the revelation. Balogun Fijabi frowned “You must be a fool to think I won’t find out. I know everything that has been going on between you and your guard which is an abomination. It’s time I put an end to it. You are my daughter and you are expected to marry whoever I alone wish for you to” “No father, I forbid to marry any other man except my husband Erutekun” Enraged, Balogun Fijabi asked what she meant. Asake maliciously explained how she and Erutekun had formalized their union with an oath and that no man could break it. Enveloped in rage, Fijabi pulled out his dagger and brushed it edge across her daughter’s face so violently causing her deep and nasty wound that deformed a once beautiful face. With mischievous grin he added “Now let me see how you will attract any man with such scar on you without my permission” “You are a total monster” Asake cried out, “I don’t care if you cut every part of my body but I swear you can never live to be half of the man Erutekun was to me!!” Fijabi angered; his daughter had just compared him to a slave. He ordered his other slaves to dig the moist earth and have Erutekun buried in it alive which they did. He walked back to his daughter who was still in shock by what she just witnessed; he looked her with disgust and regret and spat on her face. “Not even the gods could safe your ‘husband’” “Noooo!” Asake’s cry echoed far into the heart of the forest. *** ****** 4 Likes |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by smokeydrinky: 6:56pm On Jul 01, 2020 |
You have been missed @ OP. Following. |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by ashatoda: 7:40am On Jul 02, 2020 |
please and please ghostwriter try and complete this story please abeg your stories always keeps me on the edge |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by Lamanii22(f): 11:09am On Jul 02, 2020 |
ghostwritter: Woow! I am really captivated by this novel... I wish it can be turned to a movie lol |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by Nobody: 7:09pm On Jul 05, 2020 |
This Guy that always abandoned his story |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by ghostwritter(m): 9:14pm On Jul 05, 2020 |
****** *** “Please don’t tell me that this was how it all ended, I mean it all can’t end up like this, right?” I questioned in anger and of a heart filled with raging emotions as I watched Balogun Fijabi rode off from our presence unchallenged with his slaves who trooped sheepishly behind him. “Isn’t there something we can do? At least call for help” I asked the old 3 Likes |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by xaviercasmir(m): 10:08pm On Jul 05, 2020 |
Wow your writing skills is insanely good |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by decoderdgenius(m): 10:34pm On Jul 05, 2020 |
Not enough words just... Woah! |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by ashatoda: 8:05am On Jul 06, 2020 |
hope people just see why I was begging him to finish the story? his stories are just so plainly engaging |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by germaphobe(m): 9:19am On Jul 07, 2020 |
you simply can't hate ghostwritter, even if he doesn't complete his stories his half work is always top work |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by skubido(m): 9:31pm On Jul 07, 2020 |
Thanks OP,, nice wan More ink to your pen. |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by Nobody: 10:51pm On Jul 08, 2020 |
Ghostwritter chaii! Imagine I wan piss sef but couldn't until I finished the whole book from the first post to the last! Hahaha You be chairman o! Please more and always finish it up like this thanks. |
Re: The Day I Died (reloaded) by ghostwritter(m): 2:30pm On Jan 01, 2022 |
Thank you all for reading, you can read more of my completed stories by contacting me on my WhatsApp line 09045956287 or email: lucidpublishers@gmail.com |
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