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Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Literature / Entangled (94647 Views)
Short Story: ENTANGLED / Entangled Souls (episode 2) / Entangled Souls (episode 1) (2) (3) (4)
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Re: Entangled by WHOcarex: 8:33am On Jun 24, 2017 |
I will be here |
Re: Entangled by Nathblessing(m): 9:10am On Jun 24, 2017 |
Pearl05: My thought exactly... |
Re: Entangled by Shalomdee(f): 9:30pm On Jun 24, 2017 |
CHAPTER SEVEN continued Damn it, Pamshak thought as he burnt his hand while holding the hot pot of noodles. He dropped it like a bomb and stood transfixed on the spot. The pains he had to go through since Jane left his life. He had not been the same since September 2011. How could she leave him? He had been everything she needed in life; a lover, a brother and a father. He had taught her how to be a woman and had given her the opportunity to be a mother. What had he not done to make her comfortable? Yet she had the effrontery to leave him. He scooped the noodles to his plate and carried it to his seating position on the carpet. His single room served as his kitchen, living room and bedroom. It was the same room he had moved in years back with Jane. The room had a big mattress by the window side, a table where his books were arranged and a single plastic chair. The only other things that filled the room were the stove, the adjustable wardrobe and the 14 inches Panasonic T.V he had bought with his first earnings as a welder. He remembered the day he had brought the television home; Jane had been so happy, she had kissed him on his cheek and smiled effusively. He had been proud, buying his first television gave him the feeling of a grown up successful man who had all it takes to cater for his family. But even then the feeling had been just temporal; he soon realized that taking care of himself and another person was great responsibility that needed a lot of wisdom. They sometimes went hungry and the toiletries occasionally were finished when there was not a single money in his wallet. Jane in times like this laid down quietly on the bed with her face turned away while he racked his brain for solution to the scarcity in the house. Eventually he would borrow money from the neighbours or collect foodstuff on credit from Mama Chinyere. On such occasions when he became broke, he would look at Jane with disdain and blame her for his penniless state. Yet he never wanted her to leave and on two incidents when she got offended and threatened to go back to Jos, he became infuriated and beat her to a sick state. Why would she think of leaving him when she was the only one who made his life worth living? When the baby came, penury became their identity. He had to borrow always to cater for the child’s needs; when Junior became sick, he blamed her for not taking proper care of the child and told her she had better find a solution to the child’s sickness. Jane decided to start frying buns and eggrolls to sell in the streets when the baby was still two months old. She would wake up as early as 4 a.m, fry the buns and eggrolls and by 9 a.m, when she was through with preparing breakfast and breastfeeding, she will place the baby on her back, tie him firmly, put a light shawl over him and balance the big transparent container of her consumables on her head, then head to the streets to find people to buy. He had tried for three unsuccessful times to get another girlfriend, but they all turned out failures. Salama was a Muslim and told him her brothers will kill him if they found out that she was dating him. Pamela had started asking for outrageous amounts of money from him even before the relationship went far and Sale told him she could not come to his house to cook for him because she was not his wife; he will have to take her to restaurants for dates. None of the girls he met were up to Jane in character, if they were not haughty, they were lazy, if they were not lazy, they tried to scam him of his hard earned cash. He was convinced now that he had to get Jane back no matter how ridiculous it seemed. She would not take him back, but he would find a way of black mailing her or forcing her to return to him. He considered the thought that she could be married or in another relationship with another guy, he quickly waved the thought away. Jane would not dare enter another relationship, at least not so soon. She had a son to take care of and she would be intent on going back to begin what he had denied her of doing; going to the university. You’re a damn fool, he insulted himself. Jane will be out of your reach by the time you get to her. He laughed out loud, and then glanced back at the noodles that had now gotten cold. “No,” he said, “I am tired of eating unpalatable meals, spending lonely nights on bed and coming home to meet an empty house. I need Jane and I need my son, I must get them back or I die.” 3 Likes |
Re: Entangled by Shalomdee(f): 9:54pm On Jun 24, 2017 |
You are welcome WHOcarex Thanks VETSURGEON123 Nathblessing, Pearl105 and quenitee, your guess may be right, but who knows, there may be more to it. Keep following the story. |
Re: Entangled by misskenny(f): 10:13pm On Jun 24, 2017 |
wow! I read it all. Interesting story. can't wait for the next Episode. thumbs up 1 Like |
Re: Entangled by Pearl05(f): 12:05pm On Jun 25, 2017 |
Shalomdee: Pamshak should find a way to empower himself and let Jane and Isaac to fulfill their destiny please. God bless Aunt Gloria, she is a mother indeed. And to Lancelot, let him open up to his queenly wife together they will get solution to what weights him down. Lancelot shouldn't put my darling Jane in mess ooo, his wife is there abeg. Pls it's taking you so much time to post the continuations. I pray for more inspiration for you and strength too. Yea and peace of mind to coordinate all your activities for optimal balance so that this sweet story will compete soon. �� |
Re: Entangled by Shalomdee(f): 6:42pm On Jun 25, 2017 |
CHAPTER SEVEN continued The crazy heat in Gwagwalada suddenly gave way to a frenzied cold harmattan in December. The cold was almost paralyzing. Inhabitants of Abuja had to clothe themselves in sweaters, jackets and every kind of clothing for cold. Everyone was bothered about this year’s harmattan, it was harsher than the others in the past, so unlike Abuja harmattan. The Okafors seemed to be the only ones in the neighbourhood who took the cold lightly. Lancelot had spent a great part of his life in Jos and was used to cooler weathers. Rahila and Jane were indigenes of Plateau state and could not be shaken by the ordinary cold in Gwagwalada. Rahila would smile and pass whenever a worker or colleague in the Hospital asked if she could not feel the cold. Jane made preparations for her journey to Jos to spend the holiday with her aunt and son. She washed the entire drape in the house and replaced them with new silky ones that she and Rahila bought during Christmas shopping. She also fried chin-chin and stored it for Christmas, the chin-chin could stay for a long time so she decided to lessen Rahila’s work by frying it before she left. She adorned the house with the Christmas tree and decoration and made the list of everything Rahila would need for the food to serve during the holidays. Jane was sure Rahila would still find the cooking difficult despite all the recipes, but she did not disclose this to her and Rahila concealed her confusions and pretended to be capable of handling any cooking. She was sad Jane was leaving for two whole weeks, but her mum had demanded that Jane be released to spend the holiday with her son. If she had her way, Jane will not go anywhere. Lancelot did his best to hide his own feeling. His wife would not like it if she got to know how badly he wanted Jane to stay. There was enough a wife could take and he understood he had limits in expressing fondness for her cousin. If she got to know the extent to which he cared for Jane, she would ask Jane to leave, but not before accusing both of them of having an affair. He wondered how much time he had till his cup would overflow. He was doing his best to manage his situation but things were becoming glaring; talking to somebody might not help, or maybe he was just afraid, people like him normally became afraid of talking to another person about what they were going through, they would suffer silently till they could no longer contain it alone. Who could he talk to even if he wanted to? Joe would laugh him to scorn and make jest about him also living in the flesh, Bayo will be helpless and confused and will lack what to say in his usual way, his wife may leave him if he told her, his mother would take matters into her own hands and start running his life and his father, his father was the one person who might understand but unfortunately he was incapacitated at the moment. His pastor’s words came to him in a flash, when no one else can help you, only God can help you. He considered Pastor Tee’s words for a minute, he was sure God could help him, but he was not sure if God would help him with this one, after all, God had left him alone in the past when he was battling with this same problem. No amount of prayer then did anything to alleviate the problems, until Salem died. He winced at the thought of Salem, he hated thinking of her. It brought only pain and sorrow once more to him, the kind of pain and sorrow that one knew could never go away. Brush it away, a voice said, you can overcome this and you will. But he had no more faith in the matter, he could trust God for any other issue, but when it came to this condition of his, he was all alone, or so he thought. Jane scooped three spoons of milk into the tea and stirred it. She gave one look at Lancelot and grew afraid. His eyes were so distant, and this was not the first time she was noticing it that day. Tomorrow she was to leave; she imagined what would happen if she left him in that state, her fears heightened; what if the mental instability was coming back? What if she had been the one who has been helping hold on all this while? It was the most crazy thing she could imagine but it was too irresistible to debunk. For the entire months that she had been here, she had observed him closely and got to know they both shared some kind of connection that was unusual, it was hard to explain, somehow she felt he was relying on her for some kind of strength; she knew he loved her cousin as a husband would love his wife, but he did not have that special feeling he felt for her alone. Rahila would send her away for sure if she got to know this, and she would not blame her cousin if she did. What sort of woman could bear her husband loving her cousin in such a unique way? She could not stay for the holiday certainly, Isaac needed to see her. Please Lancelot comport yourself together and be alright, this entanglement is bewildering. She pushed the tea to him after she had added honey. “Your tea Sir.” He looked down and managed a wry smile. Rahila came out of the kitchen just then with a plate of pancakes, thanks to Jane, she could now make her own pancakes just the way she wanted them. She sat down close to her husband and nudged his elbow playfully. Immediately, he dropped off his sad demeanour and nudged her as well, the two started playing and laughing. Jane walked away to her room. She had some packing to do; she arranged all the new clothes Rahila had given her into the small travelling bag Lancelot had handed to her the day before. She was not going to travel with her big suitcase. All her old clothes were arranged in the suitcase, she would make sure her other cousins and her mother know she was not being maltreated, she had to come back. Next year March, JAMB forms will be on sale and she would not allow anything stop her from buying them. She counted her savings, it was twenty thousand naira. She would deposit fifteen thousand naira in her savings account and travel with five thousand. She was sure her cousin would give her money for transport and allowance. When she was through organizing her things, she laid down on the bed and closed her eyes. Leaving Rahila and Lancelot made her feel eerie. This was now her home, she was nervous suddenly. Isaac needs me, I just have to go. 2 Likes |
Re: Entangled by Shalomdee(f): 6:44pm On Jun 25, 2017 |
Pearl05: My dear, sometimes it's the electricity in the area but I will continue doing my best to bring updates, thanks for following |
Re: Entangled by Psalmwhyte(m): 7:41pm On Jun 25, 2017 |
Shalomdee: |
Re: Entangled by EvaJael(f): 7:53pm On Jun 25, 2017 |
Pamshak better keep his legs wherever he is |
Re: Entangled by Shalomdee(f): 8:22pm On Jun 25, 2017 |
EvaJael: Abi? I missed your comments |
Re: Entangled by EvaJael(f): 8:46pm On Jun 25, 2017 |
Shalomdee:Sowi love. I've been ghost reading for a while 1 Like |
Re: Entangled by yewande1234(f): 8:48pm On Jun 25, 2017 |
EvaJael:ma'ma no post on hidden diamond today? |
Re: Entangled by queenitee(f): 11:05pm On Jun 25, 2017 |
Morogo, Jane and uncle Lancelot, no fall my hand o |
Re: Entangled by EvaJael(f): 8:03am On Jun 26, 2017 |
yewande1234:I don't update on sundays ma 1 Like |
Re: Entangled by Kimkardashain(f): 8:17am On Jun 26, 2017 |
iyam vexing sef. |
Re: Entangled by bossy512(f): 11:09am On Jun 26, 2017 |
Thumps up for u my dearest, I.love d story from the beginning, more inspiration. u are 10 much 1 Like |
Re: Entangled by Kesterkendra(m): 12:09pm On Jun 26, 2017 |
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Re: Entangled by VETSURGEON123(m): 12:58pm On Jun 26, 2017 |
SHALOM DEE, THE THING IS THAT HEARTS ARE BEATING, EYES ARE SCRATCHING, WORK IS BEING LEFT UNDONE, PLS TRY TO UPDATE SOONER THAN LATER , MY PHONE BATRI IS EXTENDIN ITS FATIGUE TO YR NICE WRITE UP. |
Re: Entangled by royalty18: 6:18pm On Jun 26, 2017 |
Beautiful and well written story. Please, OP, we waiteth for thee! Thanks |
Re: Entangled by babyface224(f): 6:40pm On Jun 26, 2017 |
this story brought bck memories... as I began reading it, n saw d name pamshak I jst felt at ease wif d story. the description of d places u called everything made me feel lyk I was still back in Jos. I even had to drop my phone for a while to reminisce my childhood days, d weather, streets, foods mehn it was something...I almost cried. till today I still consider Jos a home to me, n it will always b... anyways, nice story it's one of d best av read so far on nairaland. thumps up 3 Likes |
Re: Entangled by Pearl05(f): 7:01pm On Jun 26, 2017 |
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Re: Entangled by Shalomdee(f): 12:13am On Jun 27, 2017 |
Dedicated to my dearest followers, sorry for keeping you waiting VETSURGEON123, Kimkardashain, bossy512, EvaJael, kesterkendra, royalty18, babyface224, crislyn, queenitee, rayvelez, holuwanoisy123, Ayoomolabake, hormobolanle, Kayzybaba, abefe99, mhizgap, Ifecoded, talk2saintify and my other dearests CHAPTER EIGHT continued Jane sneezed and woke up. The cold had entered into her bones despite the sweater, head warmer and stockings she had worn to protect herself from the fierce cold. She wondered why the cold was always severe when it was Christmas eve. She got up from the stool from which she sat in the kitchen and went to check the stew on the gas stove. It was still cooking and it was not yet time to remove it from the stove. She went back to her seat. It was some minutes past 11 p.m, her cousins Esther and Rachel were seated in the living room watching Christmas Carols of Nine Lessons on NTA. Every other thing was set, the chicken meat and chin-chin had been fried, the Zobo drink and kunu had been prepared and the Christmas cake had been baked. Tomorrow the rice and salad would be prepared and served together with the chicken and chin-chin to guests. Isaac had slept long ago after he had sang to her all the nursery rhymes he could sing. Ever since she came three days ago, he had not allowed her rest, except when he was asleep. He no longer played with his friends or watched cartoons, all he did was spend time talking to his mum, asking her questions, telling her about what happened in school and showing her all his incredible work of arts. Aunt Gloria had retired to her bedroom after the cake was done baking. The day had been a busy one and everyone had done a fair share of work. Esther and Rachel had taken the time to watch the T.V as soon as their mother had gone to sleep knowing she would not be there to scold them for leaving the kitchen to Jane alone. Jane’s coming was a big relief to them, they knew she took domestic work serious and would attend to the chores in the house which the sisters would not ordinarily attend to except their mother shouted at them to do. During Jane’s absence, their mother constantly compared them to Jane and called them lazy girls, that did not bother them, work was not among the things they considered important in their life. Esther entered the kitchen to check on Jane. She met her bent on the stool staring at the fire. “Sanu (well done)” she said to Jane, the latter faced her and gave her a sloppy grin. “I thought you have slept.” Jane stated. “Na, Rachel and I are watching the Christmas Carol showing on NTA.” Esther said and curved her neck whilst leaning on the wooden kitchen door. “I don’t enjoy watching carols done by Nigerians, they are boring. American carols are better interesting.” Jane said and yawned. “So you are one of those who don’t appreciate things done in their country? Better change.” Jane smirked. “Let us be sincere,” she said, she was in a mood to argue; anything that would keep her company at this moment was welcome. “Nigerians have this way of imitating what Americans do but don’t do it perfectly and excellently like the Americans. Why copy what you cannot do like the original?” “You have a point there, but I will like to tell you that it is not only Nigerians who imitate what is done in other countries, westerners also imitate us as well. Some of our food, fashion and literary styles are being imitated by westerners.” Esther retorted. “But then the westerners do it perfectly, they do it in such a way that it is almost like the original.” Jane said biting her lower lip; she did this whenever she was in a serious conversation. “Who told you they do it perfectly? Have you witnessed them doing it perfectly? I watched this film where these couple of whites were speaking Igbo, they made a good attempt at it, but they sounded so bizarre and funny. The whites expect us to write and speak exactly like them, that’s impossible because we have our own language that is unique to our ethnicity.” “But then I am not talking about language here; I am talking about trends and cultures we Nigerians pick from the whites, take their Santa Claus for instance which we have christened Father Christmas; ours is fashioned in a way that he takes money from the children while theirs is made in such a way that he gives gifts to children, ours is created in such a way that children have to go to specific places to see him while theirs goes about from place to place visiting kids. You see what I mean?” Esther waved her hand, “Alright so maybe in some cases we don’t get it as excellent, but that does not mean it is so in every instance. In other cases, we even supersede them. Every country copies from some other country; language, culture, trends and policies are emulated. There’s no biggie.” Jane shrugged; she wished the argument did not have to end. “So learn to appreciate your country.” Esther advised. Rachel entered the kitchen and checked the stew; she returned the cover when she discovered that it was not fully ready. “Just imagine if Mummy decides we would all go to Solomon Lar Amusement Park.” She said and turned to the other two. Esther was expressionless while Jane yawned to show she did not find it remarkable. “Solomon Lar Park is uninteresting and unexciting; I’d rather go to Silverbird with Isaac and watch him have fun. The amusement parks in Abuja; now those are exciting, you see all sorts of fun rides there. I can’t wait to go back to them.” Esther and Rachel looked at each other and shared a silent laugh. It was only three days since Jane had come yet they had had enough of her stories about Abuja which they were sure were told to make them feel jealous. She had paraded her fancy clothes, nice shoes, purses and jewellery and shown them all the photos she had taken with Rahila and Lancelot in nice places of hang out. They were not angry with her though, they all felt she deserved a good time after all she had been through. Esther’s phone rang just then; she picked it up and put the phone on speaker. “Merry Christmas Lady Esther. I wanted to be the first to wish you a happy Christmas.” A tiny female voice said. “My dear, I am so grateful.” Esther replied smiling. The caller dropped the call. Jane and Rachel both looked at their phones, the time was 12:1 a.m. It was the 25th of December 2011. “I wish you a merry Christmas, I wish you a merry Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.” The three sang. “Hip hip hooray!” Outside they heard neighbours talking excitedly, someone threw a banger, another person threw his and the next person threw fireworks that exploded with many lights. The three girls laughed in unison. 3 Likes |
Re: Entangled by Nobody: 6:07am On Jun 27, 2017 |
this story is captivating, I'm addicted. keep up the wonderful work and don't forget to update more often pls. 1 Like |
Re: Entangled by queenitee(f): 9:00am On Jun 27, 2017 |
Awwwn, I wish it's Christmas already 1 Like |
Re: Entangled by talk2saintify(m): 11:25am On Jun 27, 2017 |
Shalomdee: Thank you very Plenty ![]() Abeg dun let Lancelot and Pamshak Kill themselves or run mad all bcuz of one girl!! THe girl go fine die be dat!!! ![]() ![]() 2 Likes |
Re: Entangled by EvaJael(f): 12:01pm On Jun 27, 2017 |
Thanks for the dedication and update shalomdee 1 Like |
Re: Entangled by Kimkardashain(f): 12:55pm On Jun 27, 2017 |
queenitee:tnks for d update shalomdee, queen,my sister,may God shower u with fifth sense, ah! xmas ko,chrismas ni.long throat! na chicken dey hungry u ,chai.i no keep chicken for u yesterday? abi evajael no gve u am? |
Re: Entangled by queenitee(f): 2:25pm On Jun 27, 2017 |
Kimkardashain:That girl, she gave me half of the chicken o |
Re: Entangled by Nobody: 4:04pm On Jun 27, 2017 |
Thanks for the update and dedication Shalomdee. 1 Like |
Re: Entangled by Godmother(f): 6:06pm On Jun 27, 2017 |
This story is awesome and I also love the fact that the updates are frequent. Shalomdee doesn't leave her readers dying of suspense while we wait. Thumps up, Op 1 Like |
Re: Entangled by Kesterkendra(m): 11:13pm On Jun 27, 2017 |
continue with the good work.. interesting story indeed.. can't wait for yur next update.. #thumbs_up 2 Likes 1 Share |
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