DEADLYDESI

RE

Epi
sode1

©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en

I
tohanhasbeenhavingsl
eepl
essnight
sforthepastf
ewday s.Thebur denofhouserenthas
beenonher.Herchi
l
drenhavebeenhomef orl
ackofschoolfees.Shehassourcedforhelpto
noavai
l.I
tohan'
sdai
lysour
ceofincomecomesf r
om fr
yingofAkar a,
yam andfish.

Fewday sago,thel
andlor
dhadt
oldherhusbandtopaytherent
.Tr
ulyt
helandl
ordhadbeen
pat
ientwit
ht hem.Theyowehi
mt hr
eeandhalfyear
srentageandhehadbeenthr
eateni
ngf
ire
andbrimstones.

I
tohanl
ookedathersleepi
nghusbandont hebedthensi
ghdeeply
.Thingshavenotbeenwell
wit
hhim sincehewassackedfrom wor
k.Heleav
eshomeev er
ydaytohustl
ebutwhateverhe
bri
ngst
ot hetabl
eisbarel
yenoughtomeetthedail
yandnumerousneedsofthefamil
y.

"
Nosa!Nosaaawakeup.
"Shesai
dshaki
nghi
m.

"
What
?"heaskedsi
tt
ingupont
hecompr
essedmat
tr
ess.

"
Inof
itsl
eep"shesai
dwi
thhandsaki
mbo."
Seeasy
oudeyenj
oyy
oursl
eep.
"

"
How?
"

"
Youdeysnor
ebadbadna"

Nosasmi
l
ed,
thenst
ret
chedhi
sbodynosi
l
y.Heknewhi
swi
fecanbesof
unny
.
"
Whydi
dyouwakemeup?

"Younosupposeaskmethatkai
nquest
ionsef
.Youknowseylandl
ordgocomewhenday
break.Nawet
inwegotel
l
am?Inowantmakehi m gathercr
owdhereoo.Feardeycat
chme
oo."

Nosascr
atchedhisheadt
hensupporthi
sheadwi
thhi
sri
ghthand.Het
oowasatal
osst
owhat
t
otell
thelandl
ordwhenheevent
uall
ycomes.

"
Got
osl
eepi
tohan.Whenwer
eacht
hebr
idge,
wegoknowhowt
ocr
ossam"

Hewatchedherasshesighed,t
hencli
mbedt hebed.Hefol l
owedsui tbutcoul
dn'tsleepagai
n.
Fori
twasagreatchal
lengetobeatthemer cyofhi
slandlord.Threeandahal fyears,hehas
beenbeggi
ng,pr
omisi
ngt opaybutnotfulf
il
li
nganyofthepr omises.Heknewt hatthisti
me,the
l
andlor
dwouldnotl
ist
ent ohim.Nosaturnedandnoti
cedt hathi
swi fewasn'tsl
eeping.

"
Tryandsl
eepnaa"

"
Myheadandmyhear
tdeybusybutIgosl
eepwhenIr
eady
"shesai
draki
ngherhusband'
shai
r
wi
thherhand.

Hedr
ewhercl
osert
ohi
msel
fandst
art
edcar
essi
ngherf
ace.

"I
flucksmil
eonmeandImakemoney ,Iwi
ll
spoily
ou.Iwil
ltakeyout
oDubai andpl
acesyou
neverknewexi
sted.Li
keapi
l
laryoust
oodbymeandcov er
edmyshamet hatImaynotbe
exposedandbemadeamocker y
.Don'
tworr
y,t
hiswahal
awi ll
soonpass.
"

It
ohansmil
edthensl
epti
nthear
msofherhusbandbutNosawasfarfr
om sl
eep.Hi
shear
t
sankashebegantot
hinkoft
hekindofst
oryhewoul
dtel
lthel
andl
ord.
 *
**.*
**

I
tohandoesherbusinessi
nfrontoft
hecompound.Shehadbeenupsoear
lyt
opr
epar
efor
busi
ness.Hercust
omer swi
ll
soonstartl
i
ninguptobuyhert
astyAkar
a.

Abigfryi
ngpanwi thgr
oundnutoi
li
ni twasalr
eadyonthef
ir
e.Shewasmi
xi
ngt
hebeanswhi
l
e
herdaughterOsadebamwenwasdicingonionsandfr
eshpepper
.

"
Doqui
ckna!
"Shesai
dtoherdaught
er

"
Madam wet
inhappent
oday
?acust
omerasked."
Younoqui
ckt
odayoo"

"
Abegnov
ex.Iov
ersl
eep"shesai
d

"
Inogof
itwai
tbet
hat
.Nextt
imeoo"

Thecust
omerlef
thur
ri
edlyt
ot hebusstop.I
tohanwassocar
ri
edawaybyherchor
est
hatshe
di
dn'
tnoti
cet
helandl
ord'
swifestandi
ngbeforeher
.

"
Soy
ounoseeme.Abi
?NasoIcomesmal
lreach?
"thel
andl
adyasked.

"
Aaah!Nov
exoo.Mymi
ndj
ustdeywet
inIdeydo.
"It
ohant
oldher
.

Shegreet
edthelandl
adybutshewoul
dn'
trespond.I
tohanknewther
ewasgoingtobeat
ussl
e.
Shebegantowishtherewasenoughmoneytopaytherenttoav
oidembar
rassment.
"Youdeydobusinessher
ebutyounofi
tpayrent.Whichkai
nbusi
nessbethat
?Foryour
i
nformati
on,
myhusbandcal lmej
ustnowforphone.Heseymakey ounodobusi
nessforhi
m
compoundagain.Heseyify
ouwantdobusiness,payweti
nyouoweam."Shetol
dit
ohan.

I
tohanst
oodup.

"
Abeggi
veussmal
lti
met
opay
."

"
Shutupyourmouth.Weti
nbeabeg?Nayougivemyhusbandmoneyt obuil
dthishouse?You
t
hinkseyhenogetweti
nhegousemoneydo?Bef or
eIopenmyey es,cl
earthi
splaceoo.I
nfact
,
wenowantthemoneyagain.Abegmakeunapacksef.UnaWahal
at oomuch"

AsItohanapol ogi
zed,Osadebamwenempt iedt
hesmall bowl ofpepperandoni oninthemortar
.
Thisinfur
iatedthelandlady.Shepickedthepestl
eandt hrewitawayt hent urnedthemortar
upsidedownt herebyspi l
l
ingthegr i
ndedbeans.I
tohanscr eamed.Asi fthatwasnotenough,
thebucketofwat erbyt hetable,t
helandl
adycarri
editandempt iedi
tont hegroundnutoi
l,t
hen
scatter
edt heneatl
yarrangedl oavesofbreadonthetable.Thel andl
adyst oodakimbowaiti
ng
forIt
ohant oreactmor e.

"Epai
ny ou?"SheaskedI tohan."
Nasoepai nmeandmyhusbandseyunaoweus.Abegmake
unapackcomotf rom thishousesharpsharp.
"Shescreamedassheent er
edthecompoundi n
anger
,leavi
ngItohaninaconf usedanddepressedstat
e.Itohancoul
dn'
tsal
vagethebeans.She
satonthechairspeechlessasshewat chedherdaughterpicki
ngupthel
oavesofbreadfr
om
thegr
ound.

"
Godwet
inbet
his?Whi
chkai
nli
febet
hisoneso?Shesai
dweepi
ng.

Fewpeoplewhowit
nessedwhathappenedconsol
edher.Osadebamwenwentinsi
deand
ret
urnedwit
hapackerwi
thwhichshepackedsandtocoverthespi
ll
edbeans.

I
tohanst
il
lcr
ying,
wenti
nsi
deandt
oldherhusbandwhatt
hel
andl
adydi
d.
"Theembar
rassmenttoomuch"hesai
dconsol
inghiswi
fe."Inornoweti
nIgodonow.Evenif
shecutmenow, bl
oodnogocomotfrom mybody.Inogetmoneyforanywher
e"hel
amented.

Thechi
ldr
enwatchedthei
rparentsweep.Themoodi
nthehousewasdepr
essi
ng.Nosawent
i
nsidet
heroom andret
urnedwithhi
sshirt
.

"
Ideycome"hesai
dashedr
iedt
het
ear
sfr
om hi
sey
es.

"
Wher
eyoudeygona?Thewor
ri
edI
tohanasked.

"
Idont
ell
youseyIdeycome.
"Hesai
dwear
inghi
sshi
rtandwal
ki
nghur
ri
edl
youtoft
hehouse.

*
**.*
**.*
**.*
***

Uy
iwasaboutl
ocki
nghi
sdoort
ogooutwhenNosagr
eet
edhi
m.

"
AhNosa.Howar
eyou?
"HeaskedbutNosadi
dn'
trespond.

"
Whyar
eyousogl
oomyt
hismor
ning?
heasked

"
Ther
e'sf
ir
eont
hemount
ain.
"

Uyipushedthedoorgent
lyandusheredNosai
n.Hel
ivesinatwobedroom f
lat
.Awell
furni
shed
apartment.Hi
swif
ehadgonet ohershopandhi
sthr
eekidstoschool
.Heli
vescomfor
tablywit
h
hi
sf amil
y.

Hebr
oughtoutdr
inksf
rom t
hef
ri
dgeandser
vedNosa.Hewat
chedhi
m gul
pedi
tandwai
ted
f
orhi
mtost
artt
alki
ng.

"Iam i
nadeepmess"hesai
d."
Myli
fehasnomeani
ngagain.Feedingmyfamil
yhasbecomea
chal
lengeandt
hel
andlor
disonmyneck.
"Hesi
gheddeepl
yandcl osedhi
seyes.

Heopenedhi
sey
esanddr
oppedhi
sgl
assont
het
abl
einf
rontofhi
m.

"Mykidsarenotgoi
ngtoschool
.Ever
y t
hingtur
nedupsi
dedownsi
nceIlostmyjob.I
fnotf
or
It
ohan.Aaah!Godgavemeagoodwi fe.She'
sreal
lyahel
pmateoo.Shecover
smynakedness
andshame.IfIeat,
wearcl
othesandshoes,she'
stheone.
"

Uy
ishi
ft
eduncomf
ort
abl
yonhi
sseat
.

"Butt
hekindofbusinessshedoes,
cannotf
ixall
theprobl
emsi
nthef
ami
l
y.Honest
ly,
shehas
car
ri
edtheloadofthefamil
ybeyondmyexpectat
ions.
"

Uy
inoddedhi
sheadandconsol
edhi
sfr
iend.

"
Somet
imes,
li
fedoesn'
tgi
veuswhatwewantordesi
re.
"

"
True!
"

Ther
ewassi
l
enceasbot
hoft
hem pi
ckedt
hei
rgl
assesandsi
pfr
om t
hem.

"
Youcanact
ual
l
ydosomet
hingaboutt
his.
"

"
How?Ihav
eseekf
orassi
stancebutev
ery
bodyhaspr
obl
em.Nobodyi
sassi
sti
ngany
body
t
heseday
s."Nosal
ament
ed.

"
Truebuty
ousti
ll
havesomeonethatcanhel
pyou.Ni
col
ecan!She'swealt
hyNosa.Shewant
s
t
oreuni
tewit
hyouandonl
yyou.Bewise!Usehert
ogetoutofpovert
y."

"
Hmmm!IleftherforI
tohanna.I
tohanmaynotbeeducat
edbutshehasbeent
her
einmyt
ryi
ng
moment
.ShelovesmeasmuchasIl ov
eher.
"Hesaid.

"Leavelov
eNosa.Lovewillnev
erfetchy oumoney.Yourpocket
saredri
edwit
hal l
thelov
eshe
hasbeenshowingyou.Nicolei
syourt i
cketoutofpover
ty.Youknowshehadlovedyou"he
remindedNosa."
ThinkofwhatIjusttoldyouandactonitbefor
epovert
yswall
owy ou.
"

Nosat
hankedhi
m.

"
Cany
oupl
easehel
pmewi
thl
i
ttl
ecash?
"heasked.

"
Nomoneyoo."Hedi
ppedhi
shandinhi
str
ouserpocketandbr
oughtoutat
housandnai
ranot
e.
"
Managei
t"hesai
dhandi
ngi
ttohi
m.

Hetookthemoneyandt hankedhi
m.Hedr aggedhi
mselfoutofthechai
r.AssoonasUy
i
l
ockedthedoor
,theybadeeachothergoodbyeandwentthei
rseparat
eway s.

Wr
it
tenbyFr
ancaUwui
giar
en

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t.

DEADLYDESI
RE

Epi
sode2

©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en
I
t'sbeenamont hthelandlordaskedNosat ovacat
ethehouse.ThebusinessI
tohandoesin
frontofthecompoundhadst oppedt oo.Thel
i
ttl
eshehadsav edhasstart
eddwindli
ngbefor
e
herv er
yeyes.Someoft hefamilymember swhopromisedtoassi
stheraregiv
ingreasonswhy
thehelpcouldnolongerbepossi bl
e.

Nowt
hatt
heyhav
ebeengi
venqui
tnot
ice,
get
ti
ngmoneyt
orentanewhousei
snowapr
obl
em.

Dr
oppi
ngt
hecl
othesshewashedi
nthemor
ning,
shecal
l
edEf
osa.

"
Iwangosomewhere.I
fyourpapacome,
tel
lam seyIdeycomenownow.Tell
Osadebamwen
t
ofet
chwaterf
orhousewhenshecomebackfrom church"shei
nst
ruct
ed.

"
Okayma"

"
MakeInoseey
ourl
egsout
sidet
heyr
unupanddownf
orcompound"shewar
ned.

Ef
osanoddedandf
rowned.

I
tohanworehersl
i
pper
sandwal
kedf
ivest
reet
stoUy
i'
shouse.Uy
iist
heonl
yfr
iendher
husbandhav
e.

Goingt
ohishousewastotryherl
uck.Per
haps,
ifsheshedsomet
ear
sandbeg,
Uyi
sympat
hize
wit
hherandassistt
hem i
nanyway.

I
tohanknockedonthedoorandwai t
edfori
ttobeopened.Whenitseemsnobodywasgoi
ngto
openthedoor,
shewalkedroundthecompoundandthenretur
nedtothedoor
.Shehadsi
nce
madeuphermi ndnottoret
urntothehouseemptyhanded.
Holdi
ngthedoorhandl
e,shepushedgent
lyandi
topenedef
for
tl
essl
y.Ther
ewasnoonei
nthe
si
tt
ingroom.

"
Whodeyhouse?"Sheaskedbutt
herewasnor
esponse."
Whyper
songol
eav
ehousecomot
.
Nawaooo!
"shesai
dshruggi
nghershoul
der
.

Shewasaboutleav
ingwhensheheardvoices.Fol
l
owi
ngthedir
ecti
onwherethev
oicesar
e
comi
ngfrom,shestoppedi
nfrontofoneoftheroomsandopenedthedoor
.

Themovementont
hebedwasqui
ck.Uyi
waswit
haladyonthebed.Bot
hwerestar
knaked.
Thi
nki
ngIt
ohanwasUyi
'
swif
e,t
heladyst
oodf
rom t
hebedanddressedhur
ri
edl
y.

"
Naweti
nbethi
sUy
i?Yourwi
fedeyshopandy
oudeyher
ewi
thanot
herwomanf
orbed.Thi
sna
r
ubbi
shoo.
"

Thel
adypushedI
tohanoutoft
hewayandr
an.

"Howmarri
edmanl
i
key
ougodeycheathi
m wi
fe?Tal
kna!Youdonbedeafanddumb?She
chal
l
enged.

"Howisi
tyourbusiness?Youhavenorightcomi
ngt
omyhouseunannounced.
"Hesai
dgl
ari
ng
ather
.Whatdoy ouwant ?Heaskedangri
ly.

"
Abegcov
ery
our
sel
f.Ideywai
tforpar
lour
."I
tohansai
dmov
ingt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.

Uy
itookhi
sti
mebutl
atercameoutandt
ookhi
sseatopposi
teI
tohan.

"
Iam sor
ry"hesai
d."
Iti
sthef
ir
stt
imeIwi
l
lbecheat
ingonmywi
fe"
"Andyounor espectheratall
.Youbr
ingt
heladycomethebedweyyoudeyshar
ewithyourwi
fe.
Soiftheladygiveyoudisease,y
ougogiv
eyourwifet
oo.Nawaoo.DeyfearGodabeg"she
saidshruggi
nghershoulders.

"
Abegnot
ell
mywi
fe"hesai
d.

Ther
ewasal
ongsi
l
enceandI
tohant
houghtofhowt
opr
esentheri
ntent
iont
oUy
i.

"Icomebegyoumoney
.Thingshardforusandwenogetmoneyagai n.Ev
enl
andl
ordseymake
wepackbecauseweoweam threeandhalfyear
sr ent
.Abeg,y
oufi
thel
pmewithmoney?You
knowseymyhusbandsti
l
ldeylookforworkandv erysoonGodgohel
pam.Abeg!
"

Uy
icl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatandsmi
l
ed.

"
MakeItel
lyouthet
rut
h,t
heeconomybadandmar
ketnodeymov
eli
kebef
ore.EnogetasIgo
f
ithel
pyoupasssmall
thi
ngweyIfi
tspar
e.

Hest
oodup,
wentt
ohi
sbedr
oom andr
etur
nedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.Hehandedhersomemoney
.

"
Naf
ourt
housandnai
raIget
.Manageam wel
lwel
l
."

"
Atal
latal
lnai
m badpass.Thanky
ouf
ort
hemoney
."

Sheputt
hemoneyi
nherpur
seandl
efthi
shouse.

Thet
houghtt
hatUy
ibr
oughti
nawomant
othei
rmat
ri
moni
albedf
il
ledherhead.
Sheent
eredt
hemar
ket
,boughtsomef
oodst
uff
sthenr
etur
nedhome.

Bytheti
meNosar etur
nedfr
om hi
shust
li
ng,foodwasready
.Sheserv
edhi
m Ebawit
hokro
soupthensatbesi
dehim.Shewat
chedhim swal
lowedtwobigbal
l
sofebabef
orebr
eaki
ngthe
si
lence.

"
Howhust
let
oday
?"

"Fi
ne.Naonethousand,
eighthundr
ednai
raIseetoday
"hesaid.Hedeephi
shandi
nhi
sshi
rt
pocketandbr
oughtoutthemoneywhichshehandedtoIt
ohan.

"
Yout
ryna.Ij
ustdeybegGodmakehepi
tyus.
"

"Myheaddonf
ull
Itohan.Wher
ewi
l
lIgetmoneyt
omov
eoutoft
hishouse?Dem swearf
orme?
Idonthi
nksot
eymyheadwanburst.

"
Hmmm!Abegnothi
nkagai
n.Namoneymat
tercar
rymegoUy
ihouse,
whet
herhegosee
moneygi
veme.
"

Nosapausedandl
ookedather
.

"
Nextt
ime,
yougoi
nfor
m mef
ir
stbef
oregoi
ngt
ohi
shouse.
"

"Novexbuthegi
vemefourt
housandnair
a.It
hinkseyef
orgi
vemebi
gmoneybutesayheno
getmoneyagai
n,mar
ketnodeymove".

"
Hmmm!
"
Icat
cham wi
thwomanf
orbedoo"

"
Yousay
?"

"
IsayIcat
cham wi
thwomanf
orbed"
.

Nosasai
dnot
hingagai
n.Hest
art
edat
tacki
nghi
sfood.

"Enogetweti
ny oufi
ttal
kfort
hemat
ter
?,Icat
chy
ourf
ri
endont
opanot
herwomanandy
ouno
t
alkanot
hert
hing".

"
Nawet
iny
ouwantmakeIt
alk?

"Youforsayaah!whyUy
igodoli
kethatorwet
inUy
idonogoodatall,i
nsteadyoukeptquiet
.
Yoursil
encemeanseyunatwonathesame.Thedi
ffer
encebeseyIcatchUyiandInevercatch
you".

Nosawashedhi
shandsandl
aughed.

"MeandUy
idi
ff
erentf
orchar
act
er.Tr
ue,
wet
inUy
idobadoo.Nowor
ryIgoadv
iseam wel
l
wel
l
".

"Abegadvi
seam.Esaynat
hef
ir
stt
ime,
butUy
inaway
oman.Inobel
i
eveam.Tal
ksensef
ore
headabeg"
.

"
Idonhear
".
Shepackedthepl
atet
henr
etur
nedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.Theyt
alkedaboutot
hert
hingsunt
ill
ate
i
ntheni
ght.

-
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

Uyiparked,drovehi
scari
ntothecompoundofagi gant
icstr
uct
ure.I
twasthebestst
ruct
urei
n
t
hestreet.Anyonewhopassesinfr
ontofthehouselooksinawe.Thehousewasownedby
Ni
cole,"t
herichmama"asshewaspopul arl
ycal
led.

Thesecur
it
ymanhur
ri
edl
ycl
osedt
hegat
eandgr
eet
edUy
iashest
eppedoutoft
hecar
.

"
Isy
ourbosshome?
"Heaskedt
hesecur
it
yman.

"
Yessi
r"

"
Alr
ight
"

Hebr oughtouthi
shandkerchi
effr
om hi
spocketandwipedthesweatf r
om hi
sforehead.Ashe
wal
kedt otheentr
anceofthedoor,hi
sgazerest
edonthedif
ferentexpensi
vecar
si nthe
par
kinglot.Heknewhiscarischaf
fcomparedtothecar
'si
nthepar k.

"
Moneyi
sgood"Hesai
dsof
tl
y.

Beforeherai
sedhishandt
oknock,t
hedoorwasopened.Hest
eppedint
othecozyduplex.Uy
i
neverseemstobeamazedbythebeaut
yofthehouse.Amaidgreet
edhim andusher
edhim
i
ntothedinni
ngroom.
"
Mymadam want
syout
oeatf
ir
st"

Uy ismiledandnoddedappr ovi
ngl
ytothemai d.Shewalkedtothekitchenandr
etur
nedwitha
tr
ayf ul
lofsumpt uousmeal .Itwaspoundedy am andegusisoup.Justthewayheli
kedi
t.The
maident eredthekitchenagainandret
urnedwi t
hagl assandjui
ce.AllUyidi
dwaseatwi
thout
careinthewor ld.Theendresultwerethecrushedbonesont heplateandemptycanofj
uice.
Hebel chedthensmi ledatthemaid.

"
Thanky
ou"

"
Youar
ewel
comesi
r"

"
Tel
lyourmadam Ihav
ebeenf
ed"Hesai
dlaughi
ngcar
elessl
y.

Themai dcl
earedthetabl
e,car
ri
edthet
rayandasshewasaboutleav
ing,
Uyi
smackedher
but
tocksandlaughed.Themaidfr
owneddeepl
yathim andhi
ssed.

"
Don'
tev
ert
ryt
hatwi
thme"Shewar
ned.

Uyishookhisl
egsandlaughedcar
elessl
yagai
n.Themai
dgott
otheki
tchenent
rance,
eyed
hi
m, hi
ssedandpushedopentheki
tchendoor.

Uy
ilef
tthedi
nni
ngr
oom andposi
ti
onedhi
msel
fonaseati
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom.

"
Ever
ythi
ngher
esmel
l
smoney
"Her
epeat
ed.

Hewasconsumedbyt
hebeaut
yoft
hehouset
hathedi
dn'
tseeNi
col
ecomi
ngdownt
hest
air
s
t
omeethi
m.
"
Didt
hemai
dser
vey
oudr
inks"Sheasked.

"
Ohy
ouar
eher
e"

Theyexchangedpl
easant
ri
esandt
heysatopposi
teeachot
her
.

"
Iam nev
ert
ir
edofadmi
ri
ngy
ourhouse"Het
oldher
,"Ev
ery
thi
ngher
eismoney
".

ThismadeNi chol
elaugh.Shecal
l
edt hemaidandr equestedf
oraparti
cul
ardri
nk.Themaid
obli
gedherthendi
sappearedfr
om theirpr
esence.Uyiopenedthedr
inksandtheydrankand
remini
sce.

"Nosai
ssuf
fer
ing,
hei
ssuf
fer
ingo.Youwon'
tbeabl
etor
ecogni
zehi
mify
ouseehi
m,hei
s
l
eanandsodar
k".

Hestudi
edherf
acet
oseet
heef
fecti
twi
l
lhav
eonher
.Hesawshewasf
idget
ingandnotsur
e
ofher
sel
f.

"Hischi
l
drenar
enotgoingtoschoolandthel
andl
ordhasevictedthem.Doyouknowhi
swif
e
wasinmyhouselastweektobegforfeedi
ngmoney.Aah!Thingsaresobadforhi
m.Heev
en
cametobegmef ormoney"Heconti
nued.

Uy
iobser
vedt
hatNi
col
edel
i
ber
atel
ydi
dn'
twantt
osayany
thi
ng.Hel
efthi
sseatandsatbyher
.

"
Youar
enotsay
ingany
thi
ng"

Whensher
aisedherheadup,
Uyi
discov
eredt
hatNi
col
e'
sfacewaswetwi
tht
ear
s.
"
Youar
ecr
ying"

"Thepai
nofyest
erdayissti
l
lfr
eshi
nmymemoryUyi
.Howhebet
ray
edme,
hedef
lower
edme
andimpr
egnat
edItohan.Hesai
dhelov
edmeandhebet
ray
edme.

Uy
ial
l
owedhert
ocr
y.

"Ihavenotforgi
venhimforthatbet
ray
al.Howcanonebet
rayt
heper
sonhel
oves?
"Sheasked,
"
Forthatreason,Ideci
dednottogiv
emyhearttoanymanagai
n".

"Iwantyoutofor
givehim Ni
col
e.It
oldhi
my ouwanthi
m back.That
'sbecauseIknowyousti
ll
l
ovehim.Forgett
hepastandhelphi
m.Rightnow,Nosaneedsthehel
phecanget .Pl
easedon'
t
t
urnhim away"Uyipl
eaded.

Ni
col
elaughedandl
aughed.

"Ineverst
oppedlovi
nghim.I
fIeversetmyeyesonhim agai
n,Iwon'
trel
easehi
mtoI
tohanev
er
again.Iwanthert
odrinkf
rom t
hecupofbit
ternessandangui
shsheservedme.

Uy
ilaughedwi
ckedl
y.

"Idi
dn'
tknowthatNosawoul
dfal
lfort
hati
l
li
ter
ateI
tohan.Lookathi
m,agr
aduat
ewhi
l
ehi
s
wif
efri
esAkar
a".

"
Akar
a?"

"
Akar
aoo

Ni
chol
ebur
sti
ntol
aught
er.
"
Ican'
tbel
i
evethi
s,Nosawithal
lhi
sswagal
l
owedhi
swi
fet
osel
lAkar
a?,
Thi
sist
err
ibl
e.
Anyway
,Iwil
lhel
phim st
andagai
nasaman".

Smili
ng,Uy
ithankedher.Hedi
dnotleav
eimmediat
ely,
theysatandcat
chuponol
dti
mes.He
l
eftaf
terNi
colehadgivenhi
m ahugesum ofmoneytosupporthi
sbusi
ness.

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t

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it
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ancaUwui
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en

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RE

Epi
sode3

©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en

Uyidrovest
raighttoNosahouse.I
twasdarkwhenhepar kedhi
scarbesidehi
scompound.The
str
eetwasdar ktosigni
fyt
hatNepahadstruck.Fewpeoplecouldbeseenwalkinginthestr
eet
.
Uyiwalkedi
ntot hecompound.Nosaandhisfamilysatoutsi
detaki
ngfreshai
randgisti
ng.He
exchangedpleasantr
ieswi
ththem andNosa'
ssonqui ckl
ygavehisseattoUyibuthedecli
ned.

"
Idon'
twantt
oseatoo"
.Ij
ustcamet
osayhel
l
otoy
ou"Hesai
dsmi
l
ing.

Nosast
oodupandf
oll
owedhi
mtowher
ehepar
kedhi
scar
.

"
Howi
sev
ery
thi
ng?
"Heasked.

"
Fineo"

"
Ist
hel
andl
ordst
il
lthr
eat
eni
ngy
ou?
"
"
Hewasher
etoday
"

"
Hmmm!
"

Nosaf
oldshi
shandsandr
est
edhi
sbodyont
hecar
.

"
Didy
ougi
veat
houghtt
omyadv
isel
astt
ime?
"

"Fr
ankl
yUy
i,t
her
eisnot
hingt
othi
nkabout
.Iam amar
ri
edmanandIhav
echi
l
dren,
besi
desI
l
ovemywif
e.

Uy
ilaughedandr
est
edhi
sbodyont
hecarbesi
deNosa.

"Seemyfri
end,Idon'
tli
kethecondi
ti
onyouarei
n!Idon'
tl
ikei
t.Youarehandi
capr
ightnow.I
am sur
eyou'
renotdist
urbedbythef
actt
hatyourchi
ldr
enarenotgoi
ngtoschool
".

"WhotoldyouIam notdist
urbed.Idi
eat
housanddeat
hwi
thmyi
ncapabi
l
ityt
osendmyki
dst
o
schoolorf
eedthem proper
ly"
.

"
Ify
ouar
edi
stur
bedNosa,
youwi
l
ldosomet
hingabouti
t"
.

Nosastar
tedt
appinghi
sfeetnoi
sel
essl
yont
hegr
ound.Her
emember
edt
hewayhepar
tedwi
th
Ni
cole,
thenheshookhi
sheadsadly.

"Li
sten!Iam notsuggest
ingyoul
eaveI
tohan,st
aymar
ri
edt
oher
,butuseNi
col
etogetoutof
poverty
.Letthi
sbeagame, pl
ayi
tandwin".
Nosawoul
dnotsayany
thi
ng.Hekeptshaki
nghi
sleg.

"I
tohandoesn'
tneedt
oknowy
ouar
echeat
ing.Goodni
ghtmyf
ri
end"Hesai
dtappi
ngNosaon
hi
sshoulder"
.

Nosasai
dnothingbutwat
chedUyient
eredhi
scaranddr
oveaway
.Hest
oodt
her
eforal
ong
t
imebefor
ereturni
ngtohi
swifeandchi
ldr
en.

-
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--

Nicoleswi
tchedof ft
hetelevi
sionandli
ghtsinthesitt
ingroom andtheni
nstr
uctedt
hemaidto
getheracupofgr eentea.Shedoesnotmi ssit
.Gently,shecl
imbedthestai
rtoherr
oom.She
hadnotsatbeforethemai denter
edwithherrequest.Shethankedherandbadehergoodni
ght
.
Shetookasipfrom thecupanddr oppeditonthetray.

Nicol
eclosedhereyesandbeganr
ecur
ri
ngherconversat
ionwi
thUyi
.Shefr
ownedandt
ook
anot
hersip.Hermindbegant
owandert
oeventthathappenedy
earsago.

ShehadmetNosai nheruncl
e'
shouse.Heruncl
ewashav i
ngahousewarmingandt
her
eshe
methim.Theybecamefri
ends.Nosawasjustayoungmanofabout26year
swhohad
graduat
edandgott
enajobinanewgenerationbank.Hewaswel
ltodo.

Thei rrelati
onshipblossomed.Shehadi ntroducedhimt oherparentsandsiblings.Shewasjust
21andherpar ent
shadnoi ntenti
onofsendinghertoschool t
ofurtherhereducat i
ondueto
l
imitedf unds.Theyhadbeeni narel
ati
onshipforay earbef
oreheev entual
lyintr
oducedherto
hispar ents.Nosa'sparentsact edi
nsuchawayt hatshewasnotwel comeint hefamil
y.She
didn'tall
owt hatdist
urbher .Shewouldv i
sithi
m andst ar
tedplay
ingt herol
eofawi f
e.When
theiratti
tudebecamegl ar
ing,sheencouragedhimt omov eoutofhi sparentshouse.

"
Youcan'tbethi
nki
ngofmar
ri
ageandst
il
lbei
nyourpar
ent
shouse.Iam notcomf
ort
abl
e
v
isi
ti
ng"Shetoldhi
m.
Nosagotanaccommodat
ionandmovedout.I
nhisabsence,
shewoul
dwash,cookandev
en
spendt
henightt
her
e.Weekends,
shewasther
etodothelaundr
yandcook.

Themoneyshesav
edshewouldbuylaceorAnkaraandtheywoul
dsew cl
othes.Mostpeople
t
houghtt
heywer
emarr
ied.SheknewallNosa'
sfr
iends.Theonl
ypr
obl
em wasNosa'sparents.

"
Whati
smyof
fenceNosa,
yourpar
ent
sdon'
tl
ikeme"Sheaskedsowor
ri
ed.

"
Idon'
tknow"

"
Am Inotbeaut
if
ulenough.Am Inotgoodenough"

"
Youar
eev
ery
thi
ngNi
col
e"

"
Whatshoul
dIdof
ort
hem t
oacceptme"

"
Not
hing!Justbey
our
sel
f.Wi
tht
imey
ouwi
l
lbeaccept
ed"
.

Nicolestar
tedmakingextraeff
orttoi mpressNosa'sparents.Shewouldcall
t hem t
oaskof
theirwel
fare.Shehopedtheywoul dloveherandchanget heiratt
it
udes.SheloveNosaandit
wasgl ar
ing.Shewouldbet hef
irsttosendhi mlovemessageandcal lhi
m.Outoft hemoneyhe
givestoher,shewouldsaveandbuyhi mt hi
ngs.Shereal
lylovedhim.

"
Iwanty
out
ogot
oschool
"Het
oldheronedayaf
terher
etur
nedf
rom wor
k.

"
Butmypar
ent
scan'
taf
for
dthef
ee"
"
Trustme,
Iwi
l
lsponsory
ou"

Ni
colecoul
dnotbel
i
evei
t.Shescr
eamedf
orj
oyandj
umpedonhi
m.Theexci
tementwast
oo
much.

"
What
everi
ttakes,
letmeknow"

Nicol
egotadmissionintooneoftheuniv
ersi
ti
esandthi
sgladdenedNosa'sheart
.Hewas
earni
nggoodsalaryandsendinghertoschoolwasnotabi
gdeal .Herent
edanapart
ment,
boughtal
lthenecessarythi
ngssheneededforschool
.Ni
colespentthenighti
nNosa'
shouse
becauseshewast oleaveforschool
thenextday.

Shewoul
dn'
tal
l
owhi
m sl
eep.

"
Doy
oul
oveme?
"Shekeptaski
ng.

"
YouknowIdo"

"
Buty
ouar
en'
tshowi
ngmel
ove"

"
How?
"Heasked.

Shesatupandf
rowneddeepl
y.

"
Iam goingt
oschoolt
omorr
owandy
ouhav
en'
ttouchedme.Si
ncewest
art
edt
hisr
elat
ionshi
p,
y
ouhav enott
ouchedme"
Nosal
aughedandsatupt
oo.

"Wehav
ebeent
oget
herf
ormor
ethanay
earnowandnosex.Youdon'
tl
ikeme"Sheconcl
uded.

"ComeonNicol
e,Iloveyou.Sexisnotayar
dst
ickf
ormeasur
ementofl
ove.Iwi
l
lnott
ouchy
ou
unti
lwear
emar r
ied.Iwon't
!.Sl
eep,youhav
ealongdayt
omorrow"
.

Shewasworri
edbutsat
isf
iedwithNosa'
sresponse.Shepi
ckedherphoneandst
art
edsur
fi
ng
thenet
,whi
l
eNosasnoredlight
lyonthebed.

Nicol
eopenedherey es,heavedasi gh,si
ppedmoretea,
droppedthet
eacupgentlyonthet
abl
e.
Shecli
mbedt hebedandhermi ndt r
avell
edagai
n.Shehasspentt
woy ear
sinschool,
whenshe
noti
cedthatNosanol ongercallherorreplyt
oanyofhermessages.Whenshecall
s,hewoul
d
busyhercall
.Nicol
ebecamewor ried

"
Whatcoul
dthepr
obl
em be?
"Shewoul
daskher
sel
f.

Shewouldcal
lhi
sparent
sandobser
vewhet
hert
hei
rresponsewoul
dhi
nti
fNosai
sinanyf
orm
oft
roubl
e.Shebegantopani
c.

Immediatel
yaf
terwri
ti
nghertest
,sheboardedabusbacktoLagos.Sher
etur
nedlat
ebutNosa
wasnothome.Eventhoughitwaslat
e,sherantoashopnear
byandboughtli
tt
lef
oodst
uff
.She
cookedandwai
tedforhimtocomebackf rom wor
k.

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t

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it
tenbyFr
ancaUwui
giar
en

DEADLYDESI
RE

Epi
sode4

©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en
Nosar
etur
nedandwassur
pri
sedt
oseeNi
col
e.

"
Areyounothappyt
oseeme.Yougotmewor
ri
ed,
youbusymycal
l
s,Ihadt
oret
urnbecauseI
wasworr
ied"
.

"Iam sorr
y"Hesaid,
yethegavehernoreasonf
ornotcal
li
ngher.Ni
col
eover
lookedhi
s
response.Shewenttotheki
tchenanddi
shedhi
sfood.Theysatint
hedi
nni
ngroom and
chattedi
ntotheni
ght.

Ont
hebed,
shebegant
opr
ompthi
mtot
alk.

"
Iam sor
ryf
orshowi
ngupunexpect
edl
y"

"
It
'sokay
!"

Nosasai
dnot
hingmor
e.Hel
eftt
hebedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom andNi
col
efol
l
owedhi
m.

"
Whyar
eyouav
oidi
ngme.Di
dIdosomet
hingwr
ong.Tel
lmeandIwi
l
lapol
ogi
ze"

Het
urnedandl
ookedather
.

"
Bel
i
eveme,
youhav
enotdoneany
thi
ngwr
ong.Iam gl
ady
ouar
eher
e"

Hekissedhersodeepl
yandNi
col
ehuggedhi
m.Shenev
erwant
edt
olethi
m go.Hepushedher
gent
lyawayfrom hi
m.
"
Youar
etempt
ingmeNi
col
e"Hel
aughedsof
tl
y.

"
Alr
ight
!Iunder
standt
hati
t'
sti
l
laf
termar
ri
age"

Shelefthi
minthesitt
ingroom.Sheshoweredandretur
nedtot
hebed.Shetri
edtoredi
recther
thoughtst
oothert
hings.Shepickedanov
el andbegantor
eadunt
ilshef
ell
asleep.

Ni
col
ehadnotsleptl
ongbefor
eshenot
icedahandr
oami
ngaboutherbody
.Sheenj
oyedt
he
t
ouchbutst
il
lpl
ayedhardt
oget.

"
Ithoughty
ousai
dti
l
lmar
ri
age"

"
YesIdi
d,buty
ouar
eonmybednow"

Nicol
esmil
ed,
tookhishandandpl
acedonherbody,encour
aginghi
mtoconti
nue.Thatni
ght
Nosadefl
ower
edher.Shesawthedi
sbel
iev
eandf eari
nhiseyesbutdi
dn'
tknowwhattomake
ofit
.

"
Youar
eav
irgi
n"Hekeptmur
mur
ing.

For
giv
eme"Hesai
d

Hest
oodupandpl
acedhi
stwohandsonhi
shead.

"
Rel
axNosay
ouar
escar
ingme,
whati
sit
?"

"
Not
hing,
not
hing"
Hehelpedhert
ot hebat
hroom.Thenrepl
acedt
hebedsheet
.Thatni
ght
,Ni
chol
esawhow
f
idget
tyandconfusedNosabecame.

Thebubbl eburstwhensat
urdaymorningcame.AknocksoundedonthedoorandwhenNi
col
e
openedt hedoor,herf
ri
endIt
ohanstoodattheent
rancewi
thabulgi
ngstomachandasmil
eon
herface.It
ohanlookedawaybutNicol
eusheredherin.

"
Whendi
dyougetmar
ri
edwi
thouti
nvi
ti
ngme?
"Ni
col
easkedf
rowni
ng.

"
Iam notmar
ri
edy
etbutwi
l
lsoonbe"Shesai
dwal
ki
ngt
otheki
tchen.

"
Wai
t!
,Youcan'
tj
ustcomei
nandst
artwal
ki
ngt
otheki
tchen.

I
tohanl
aughedandshookherheadi
ndi
sbel
i
ef

"Thi
sismyhouseNicol
e.Thechi
l
diam car
ryi
ngi
sfort
heowneroft
hehouse""
Nosa!
,Nosa!
,
Shecall
ed"
Iam her
e"

Nosawhohadheardthei
rdiscussi
oncameoutl
ooki
ngsor
emor
sef
ul.Ni
col
ewasexpect
ing
hi
mt osaysomet
hingordenyItohan'
scl
aim.

"
Iam sor
ryNi
col
e"Hesai
d.

"
Whatexact
lyar
eyousor
ryf
or?
"Sheaskedt
ryi
ngt
ocont
rol
hert
ear
s.Herhear
twasbeat
ingso
f
astandhar
d.

"
Iam sor
ry,
for
giv
e"Her
epeat
ed.
Ni
col
elookedathi
m andt
henatI
tohan.

"
Youknewwewer
edat
ingandy
oust
abbedme"Shet
oldI
tohan"
Ithoughty
ouwer
emyf
ri
end"

Shepassedthem t
othebedr
oom.Shegothert
hingsandcarr
iedherbag.Whensher
etur
nedt
o
thesi
tt
ingroom,I
tohanwashol
dingapl
ateofr
icebutNi
coleignor
edher.

"
Youwentaheadt
odef
lowerme,
wheny
ouhadi
mpr
egnat
edanot
her
.Goodl
uckt
obot
hofy
ou.

Sheleftbangingthedoorbehi
ndher
.Thatwasf
if
teeny
ear
sago.Thepai
noft
hebet
ray
alst
il
l
remainedfreshinhermemor y
.

Shewipedthet
ear
sfr
om herf
aceandt
ri
edt
ogot
osl
eep.I
ttookal
ongwhi
l
eforsl
eept
o
env
elopeher
.

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--

Onthebed,Nosatri
edtoshakeof
fUyi
'
sadvisef
rom hi
shead.Li
feisnotbal
anced,he
r
easoned.Nicol
ewasawomanhewasr eadytomar
rybuthispar
entsstoodagai
nstthe
marr
iage.Onthedayhei
ntr
oducedNi
colet
ohispar
ents,hi
smotherfr
owned.

"Iknowherparent
s,theyar
etoopoor.Can'
tyouseethatapar
tfr
om Ni
col
e,ot
herstooar
enot
educated.Shewouldbecomeali
abil
i
ty.Tel
lherpar
entstosendhert
oschoolf
ir
st"
.

"
Butwear
enotr
ichmum"

"
Andwear
enotpoorei
ther
"Shei
nter
ject
ed.
Nosadeci
dedt
osendhert
oschool
.Hi
spar
ent
sgotwi
ndofi
tandconf
ront
edhi
m.

"
Youaresofool
i
shNosa.Whyar
ey ousobli
ndedbyl
ove.Thatgi
rli
sbeaut
if
ul.Youwi
l
lendup
wor
kingf
oranot
herper
sont
oeat"Shetol
dhim.

"
Idon'
tunder
stand"

"
Howmanymensendt hei
rgir
lfr
iendstoschooltheseday
s?Di
dyouheart
hestoryofhow
Osagi
esentEkit
oschool
.Ekigraduat
edandr ef
usedtomarr
yhim.Eki
wentaheadtomarrya
wealt
hyman"

"
Wel
lNi
col
eisnotl
i
ket
hatpapa"

"
Wil
lyoushutup?Onl
yti
mewi
l
ltel
l
"

Nosawasangry
.Wi t
houtv
oici
nghi
sthought
,hedr
ovet
oUy
i'
shouse.Ther
ehemetSol
omon
anot
herofhi
sfr
iend.

"
AahNosa,
youar
esoangr
y"

"
Iam"

Het
ookoneoft
hepl
ast
icchai
rsi
nsi
deandbr
oughti
toutt
osi
t.

"Myfatherdoesn'
tl
iket
heideathatIam sponsor
ingNicol
e'seducat
ion.Theyt
hinkwhat
happenedtoOsagiewouldhappentome.Theysai dIam notwise"
"
Hmmm!

"Idon'
tseeanyt
hingwr
ongi
nsendi
nghert
oschool
.Youwanthert
obeabet
terper
son?
"
Solomonsaid.

"
Yes"

"
Ist
andwithyourparent
smyf r
iend.Don'
tbesurpr
isedthatwhyyouar
eki
l
li
ngy
our
sel
fov
er
Ni
col
e,sheisbusydoingsomethi
ngelsether
e."Uy
i i
nter
ject
ed.

"
Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ou"

Whi
l
ehewaswi
tht
hem,
twoy
ounggi
rl
swal
kedi
nandgr
eet
edt
hem.

"
AnhanhI
tohan,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Sol
omonasked.

"
Iescor
tedmyf
ri
endt
ogetsomei
temsf
rom t
hesuper
mar
ket
."I
tohansai
d.

Howi
sNi
col
e?"SheaskedNosa.

"
She'
sfi
ne.Shewi
l
lbear
oundnextmont
h"

Thegi
rl
ssatf
orsomet
imesandl
eft
.Theyst
areaf
tert
hegi
rl
s.

"
Thosegi
rl
sar
ebeaut
if
ul"Uy
isai
d
"
Ver
ybeaut
if
uloo"Sol
omonsai
dli
cki
nghi
sli
ps.

"
Wel
lIt
ohani
spr
ett
iest
"Sol
omont
oldt
hem.

"
Takeherdownbef
oreNi
col
eret
urnsf
rom school
.

I
t'
snobi
gdeal
"Uy
itol
dhi
m.

"
Event
houghMi t
chelist
hewomanIam get
ti
ngmar
ri
edt
o,i
tdoesn'
tst
opmef
rom cat
chi
ng
f
un"Uy
ifur
thersaid.

"Ther
eisnoguar anteet
hatyourNi
col
eisnotcat
chi
ngfunov
erthere.Shemayhaveaboy f
ri
end
overt
here.Thepr obl
em wi
thyouNosaist
hatyouar
etoosoft
."Sai
dSol omon,
rai
singhi
sbottl
e
ofbeert
ohi sl
ips.

"Ni
col
eistwentytwoandshecan'tbeavi
rgi
nli
keshetol
dyou.Nev
er!Waiti
ngaf
termarri
ageto
conf
ir
m hervi
rgini
tyi
ser
rorandthat'
swhyyoumustlear
nfr
om ustoteachyout
hings.
"Uyisai
d
l
aughinggent
ly.

"
Bel
i
evemeNosa,
yourNi
col
eisonaboy
'sbedr
ightnowandy
ou'
reki
l
li
ngy
our
sel
f.

Nosa,
notwant
ingt
ohearmor
eoft
hedi
scussi
on,
stoodupandt
ookhi
sleav
e.

Hegothomeperplexedbytheconversat
ion.Theseedsownbyhisf
ri
endsst
art
edtogerminat
e.
Hetol
dhimsel
fthathewoul dn'
twanttoendupl i
keOsagi
e.Put
ti
ngone'
seggsinabasketi
s
t
ant
amounttosuicide,heconcl
udedinhisheart
.

Onanot
hert
hought,
hedecidedt
owai
tti
l
lNi
col
eret
urnsf
rom school
toconf
ir
m herv
irgi
nit
y.He
woul
dn'
twai
tunti
lhemarr
iesher.
Meanwhi
l
e,pendi
ngonherr
etur
ns,
hewi
l
lcool
himsel
fwi
thI
tohan.

Picki
nghi
sphonefr
om t
hetable,
hedi
all
edNi
col
e'
sphonenumber
.Thephoner
angsev
eral
l
y
befor
esheanswer
edthecal
l.

"
Myphonewasonsi
l
ence.Iam sor
ry.
"

"
Don'
ttr
ythi
sagai
n.Ar
eyouwi
thaguyt
her
e?Whoar
ethepeopl
etal
ki
ng?Heasked.

"
Mycl
assmat
esar
ewi
thmeher
eandt
her
e..
."

"
Iam sur
ethey
'r
emal
es.
"

Bef
oreshecoul
drespond,
hehaddr
oppedt
hecal
l
.Shet
ri
edt
oreachhi
m,hi
sphonewas
swi
tchedof
f.

Nosaknewt
hatI
tohanandNi
col
ewer
enei
ghbour
s.Af
encesepar
atedt
hei
rpar
ent
shouse.

Thedayhevisi
tedhi
sparent
s,heaskedhi
syoungersi
stertogotoi
tohan'
shouseandcal
lher
.
TheshyIt
ohancameaftercl
osetoanhour
.Theymetoutsidehi
sfat
her'
shouse.Hetol
dherhe
l
ovesherandwouldwantthem t
ogoint
orel
ati
onshi
p.

Thesur
pri
sedI
tohanl
ookedathi
mfr
owni
ng.

"
Ithi
nkseyy
ouwanmar
ryNi
col
e"

"
Ichangedmymi
nd.Nay
oubet
hewomanofmydr
eam.
"
I
tohansmi
l
edshy
ly.

Heinvi
tedhert
ohishouse.Bef
orel
ongshebecamear
egul
arcal
l
er.Sheper
for
mst
hewi
fel
y
dut
iesi
nhishouse.

"
Wheny
ougoseemypar
ent
s?Sheaskedoneday

"
Wet
inIwanseey
ourpar
ent
sfor
?Nosaasked.

"
Younogomar
ryme?
"

"
Mar
ryy
ou?Ican'
tmar
ryy
ouI
tohan.Il
oveNi
col
eandshe'
stheoneIwi
l
lspendmyl
i
fewi
th.
"

I
twasasi
fsomeonesl
appedI
tohan.

"
Youseywet
in?

"
Inof
itmar
ryy
ou.Younogoschool
andy
ounof
itspeakbet
terEngl
i
shsef
."

Shebur
sti
ntoawor
ri
somel
aught
er.

"
Oyasendmet
oschool
becausey
oumustmar
rymeoo"

"
Ican'
tmar
ryy
ou"
"
Makewesee"

I
tohanwenti
ntohi
sroom,
pickedherbagandmar
chedoutoft
hehousei
nanger
.

Fewday
slat
er,
Nosawassummonedbyhi
spar
ent
s.

I
sNosar
ight
?

I
fyouwer
eIt
ohan,
whatwoul
dbey
ourr
eact
ion?

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t

Wr
it
tenbyFr
ancaUwui
giar
en

DEADLYDESI
RE

Epi
sode5

©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en

Nosamett hedisappoint
edanddisapprov
ingfacesofhi spar
ents.Hesawangerburni
nginhi
s
father'
seyes.Noresponsewasgi ventohi
m exceptItohan'
sparentswhosatonthechair
.He
wassur pr
isedtoseet hem t
hough.Hewasposi t
ivetheywerenotawar eofhi
srel
ati
onshi
pwith
It
ohan.Thought hemoodofev eryonewasdepressing,hethoughtnothi
ngofit
.Hi
sfather
clearedhi
st hr
oatandwentt othepoint
.

"Doyouknowt
hisgir
l?"Hisfat
heraskedpoi
nti
ngt
oIt
ohanwhosatattheedgeoft
hechai
r
besi
dehermot
her.Hel ookedatI
tohanandi
mmediat
elyt
urnedhi
sface.

"
Ido"
"
Good,
thankGody
ouknowher
.Wel
l
,youar
egoi
ngt
omar
ryher
"

"
Idi
dn'
ttel
lyouIwantt
omar
ry"

"
True!Youract
iont
oldusmyson.Shei
sal
readycar
ryi
ngy
ourseed"

"
What
?"

"
Whatwer
ey ouexpecti
ng?Thatyouwill
putyourhandsinf
ir
eanditwi
llnotbur
nyou?Youhav
e
madey
ourchoiceson.Iandyourmotherdonotsubscr
ibet
oabort
ion"

Nosawat
chedasI
tohansmi
l
edandherpar
ent
slaughedappr
ovi
ngl
y.

"
Iwantt
omar
ryaneducat
edwoman"hel
ament
ed.

Hi
sfat
herl
aughed.

"
Youcansendhert
oschool
myson"

I
tohan'
sfat
herwasv
exedbyt
hiscomment
.

"
Mydaught ermaynotbel
i
terat
ebutsheisintel
li
genti
nherownway .Ifeeli
nsul
tedbyyour
words.Di
dn'ty
ouknowshewasnotl i
ter
atebefor
eimpregnat
ingher?Today,sheisnot
r
eturni
nghomewi t
hme.Ifeeli
nsul
tedalr
eadythatmydaughtergotpregnant
"

"Ther
eisnocausef
oralar
m.Wewi l
ldot
heneedf
ul.Lethergowi
thy
ou.Wewi
l
lcomepayher
bri
depri
ce.Mysonwil
lmarryher
".
Bothpar
entsshookhandsandembr
acedeachother
.It
ohanretur
nedhomewithherparent
s
wit
hvict
orysonginherl
ips.I
mmedi
atel
ytheyl
eft
,Nosarecei
vedater
ri
blesl
apfr
om hismot her
.

"
Youembar
rassedus"Shechar
ged.

"
Thatgi
rlcan'
tev
enspeakgoodEngl
i
sh.Iam notsur
eshef
ini
shedSecondar
ySchool
"

Nosawentonhi
sknees.

"
Par
donme,
itwasami
stake.
..
."

Hedi
dn'
tcompl
etehi
sst
atementbef
orehi
sfat
hersl
appedhi
m.

"Ofal
lthegir
ls,i
t'
sIt
ohany
ouchosetoimpregnat
e.Aaaah!Nosa!Wel
lthedeedi
sdone.Iam
notapolygamist,
soyouwil
lnotbeone.Youseet
hatgir
l,youmustmarryher
"

"
Iwon'
t!Baba,
letmeacceptt
hechi
l
dbutIwon'
tmar
ryher
"

Hi
smot
herl
aughed

"WhenItohanandherpar
entsfi
rstcame,
Iandy
ourf
athert
alkedandmadeourdeci
sion.You
seethatgir
l,y
ouaremarr
yingher"

"
Whatwoul
dhappent
oNi
col
e"

"
Youshoul
dhav
ethoughtaboutherbef
orei
mpr
egnat
ingI
tohan.Il
ear
ntt
hatI
tohanandNi
col
e
shar
ethesamef
ence.Youhav
esucceededi
ncr
eat
ingenemi
tybet
weent
hem"

"
Gety
ourmoney
,fory
ouar
epay
ingherbr
idepr
ice"

Nosadi dn'
tknowhowhemanagedt odrivehome.Hebl amedhimselfforl
i
steni
ngtoSolomon
andUy i
.Het houghtofNi cole,howhebetrayedher.Howwashet otell
herheimpregnated
It
ohanhernei ghbour.Guiltwouldnotall
owhi m pi
ckNicol
e'
scall
.Hewoul dbusyorswitchof
f
hisphoneint heevening.Twi cehegotamessaget hatshewascomi ngforthehol
i
daybuthe
respondedthattherewasnoneed.Rat herthanall
owinghercome,hesenthermoney .

Itwasasur pri
sewhenher etur
nedfr
om wor konedayandmetNi coleinthehouse.Hecoul d
havebrokenthenewst oheryethedefl
ower edher.Hesawt hesurpri
seonherf ace,theshock
thenf
ollowedbydisappoi
ntment.ThatdayNi colelookedathim withatearyeyes,thenwalked
outofhisli
fe.I
twasaday ,hehadneverforgotten.Howt henwashet olookatt hi
ssame
womanhebet r
ayed?,
Howwashet oaskf orherhel p.Wherewashet ostartfr
om.

Nosa,
satupi
nbed.Hecoul
dnotsl
eep,
hewasl
osti
nthought
s.

-
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

ItwasonaWednesday .Thesunshonesobr i
ghtl
yandtheweatherwashot.Nicol
easkedher
dri
vertoparkintooneofthepark'sal
ongOr eway.Shewasfamishedandwant edtoeat
.The
dri
verdrov
ecar eful
lyi
nsi
det heparkandparkedthecaronanempt yspot
.Shehighli
ght
edand
askedthedriv
ert ocomealongwi t
hher.Theyenter
edaneater
yandor der
edforfood,af
ter
whichsheboughtsomeot heredi
blesforher
self
.Shecount
edmoneyandgav etothedri
ver
.

"
Getwhat
every
ouneedf
ory
ourpar
ent
s"

Eghosathankedheranddisappearedi
ntothecr
owd.Ni
col
estoodbesidesthecartr
yingt
obuy
wait
ingforhi
m.Shewat chedasv ehi
clesdr
ivei
ntot
hepar
kandpeopleenterthei
rbusest
o
conti
nuethei
rjour
ney.
Shel
ookedatherexpensi
vewr
ist
wat
ch.

"
Phew!Thet
imei
sfarspent
"Shesai
dal
oud.

ShesawEghosar
etur
ningwi
tht
wony
lons.Hehandedonet
oNi
col
e.

"
Iknowy
oul
i
kei
cecr
eam.Takei
ttheweat
heri
shot
"

Shecol
l
ect
edi
tfr
om hi
m andsmi
l
e.

"
Thanks,
Iappr
eci
atey
ourki
ndgest
ure"

Theydr
ovesi
l
ent
lybef
oresheasked.

"
Howol
dar
eyou?
"

"
For
ty"Her
epl
i
ed

"
Wow!Youl
ooky
oungert
hant
hat
"

Eghosal
aughed

"
YoumeanIl
ookl
i
keababy
?"Heasked.
Hel
i
kedt
hepl
ayf
ulandhumor
ousaspectofhi
sBoss.

"
Imeany
ouar
eli
kemyf
ather
"

"
Youar
eteasi
ngmebecauseIam y
oungert
han40"

Bot
hoft
hem st
art
edl
aughi
ng.I
twasnotl
ongbef
oreEghosapar
kedt
hecaral
ongt
heway
.

"
Whyar
eyoust
oppi
ngt
hecar
?"

"
Iam sor
ryBoss.Ther
eisanur
gencyt
opr
ayandIneedt
opr
aynow"

Ni
col
elookedatherwr
ist
wat
chandf
rowned.

"
Ther
eisnot
imeEghosa,
Idon'
twantt
ogett
oBeni
nlat
e"

"
Please"Hepl
eaded.

"
Alr
ight
"

Eghosacl
osedhi
seyesandbegantopray
.Forcloset
of i
ft
eenminut
eshepr
ayed,
whi
l
eNi
col
e
keptl
ooki
ngatherwat
chfr
owning.Shewatchedascarsspedpastt
hem.

"
Roundof
fthi
spr
ayer
,let
'sgo"

Hei
gnor
edherandpr
ayedunt
ilpeaceset
tl
edi
nhi
shear
t.
"
Don'
tbeannoy
edma"

"
It
'sal
ri
ght
"

Eghosast
art
edt
hecaragai
nandt
heyst
art
edt
hei
rjour
ney
.

"
Youspentmor
ethant
went
ymi
nut
espr
ayi
ngEghosa"

"
Iam sor
ryma"

Nicol
ewasn'thappyEghosawastedtoomuchti
me.Hewasnewl yemployedandt
hiswashi s
fi
rstt
imetr
av el
l
ingwit
hher.Towhileawayt
ime,shestar
tedsurf
ingthenet.I
twasthesoundof
gunshotst
hatjolt
edher.Shesawcarsandbusestr
yingtorev
erse.Moregunshot
sratt
ledthe
ai
r.

"
Isi
tfr
om t
hebackorf
ront
"Sheaskedt
rembl
i
ng.

"
Idon'
tknowma"

Scr
eamsofpassenger
sindif
fer
entvehi
clesfi
l
ledthecar
.Shelookedatt
hecarandsawgun
men.Theyopenedf
ir
e.Cr
iesofangui
shfill
edtheai
randNicol
ebegantocry
.

"
Thesear
ebandi
ts"Shewhi
sper
ed.

Eghosacoul
dnothearany
thi
ng.Hewaspr
ayi
ngi
ntongues.Shet
appedhi
m.
"
Whatshoul
dwedo?
"Sheaskedasshesawsomeoft
hegunmenappr
oachi
ngt
hem.

"
It
'sonl
yJesust
hatcansav
eus.Ihav
enopowerofmyown"

"
Idon'
tknowhowt
opr
ay"Shesai
d.

Eghosagr abbedherhandandlookedather
,butthegunmenbegantoshootatvehi
cles.They
sawt wogunmenor der
ingsomepassengerst
ol i
neupandrai
sethei
rhandsup.Oneafterthe
othertheyshotthem.Shewithdr
ewherhandsfrom hi
sandgrabbedherpur
se.

"
Ihav
emoneyher
e.Icangi
vet
hem ev
ery
thi
ng.Ev
enmyATM"

"Boss!Di
dyouseet
hatt
heyar
enotdemandi
ngf
ormoney
?Iam sur
etheyar
emaki
nga
stat
ement"

"
Towho?
"

"
Tot
hegov
ernment
"

Theywat chedasmor epassenger

swerekill
ed.Nicol
ebegantourinat
eonherbody.Eghosa
noti
cedbutunder st
ood.Hegrabbedherhand,forshewastrembli
ngsobadlyasshesawmor e
bodiesfall
ingandscreamsfil
ledt
heair
.Eghosabegant opray,
hewasobl i
vi
ousofhis
surroundi
ngasheconnect edtoGod.Nicol
ewat chedasgunmenst oodinfr
ontoft
heircar,
Pointi
ngitwiththei
rgunsandshebegant oscream.Eghosaopenedhiseyesandsawf our
ter
ribl
egunment ry
ingtoopenthedoor
.Thescr eam ofNi
colefi
ll
edthecar.

"
Ther
eisnobodyi
nthecar
"oneoft
hem sai
d.

Theypeer
edt
hrought
hewi
ndow.
"
Nobodyi
sher
e"

Ni
chyolest
oppedscreamingandt
appedEghosawhowasobl
ivi
ousofwhatwashappeni
ng.
Oneofthegunmentappedhiscol
leaguesandwhi
sper
ed.Wi
ththebootofhi
sgun,
hebroket
he
gl
assesandlookedi
nside.

"
Isai
ditbef
ore,
nobodyi
sinsi
de.Iam sur
etheyr
ani
ntot
hebush"

Hecockedhi
sgunandwasaboutt
oshootwhengunshot
srat
tl
edt
heai
ragai
n.

"
Sol
dier
s"t
heyshout
ed

Forclosetof
if
teenmi
nutes,i
twasgunshots,
scr
eamsandr unni
ngoffeet
.Thegunmenran
away .I
twasEghosat
hatshookNicol
eforshebl
ockedherearswit
hherpalms.Het
ri
edto
cal
m herbutshewastrembl
ingandcryi
ng.Hest
eppedoutofthecarandsawdeadbodi
es
l
itt
eredthegr
ound.

Whatbr okehim wasfourchi

ldr
endeadont
heroad.Hewentbackt
othecar.Nicol
ehad
stoppedscreamingbuttooshockt
ocommunicat
e.Itt
ookcl
osetoanhourbeforet
hecorpses
couldberemov edforv
ehicl
estopass.

I
twasni
ghtbef
oreEghosadr
ovei
ntoBeni
n.

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t

Wr
it
tenbyFr
ancaUwui
giar
en

DEADLYDESI
RE

Epi
sode6
©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en

Nicol
etrav
ell
edtoBeni
nfortworeasons.Toatt
endhery
oungersi
ster
,smar
ri
ageandal
sot
o
seekhermother
'sadvi
seconcer
ninganissue.

Shewokeupv er
yearl
y,butr
efusedt
oleav
ethebedimmediatel
y.Shepeepedt
hroughthe
windowandnoti
cedt
hatsomewomenwer ealr
eadycooki
ng,andsomeboy swereset
ti
ng
canopi
esandarr
angi
ngchair
s.

"
Ifi
twasnotGod,
Iwoul
dn'
thav
emadei
tal
i
ve"Shet
oldher
sel
f.

Sher ememberedallt
hathappenedonthewayandsi gheddeepl
y.Sheleftthebedandtothe
sitt
ingroom wher
eeveryonewasbusy.Shelocatedherpar
entsandgreeted.Sherushedt
oher
sister
sroom butshewasstil
lsl
eepi
ng.Laughing,shewokeherup.Rachael st
ret
chednoi
sil
yon
thebed, t
hensatup.

"
Soy
oucame"Shesai
dhuggi
ngNi
col
e.

"
Iwai
tedf
ory
ouy
est
erday
.Ical
l
edy
ourl
i
nebuti
twasswi
tchedof
f"Shesai
d.

Ni
col
esmi
l
edandnar
rat
edt
heev
entt
hatmadehercomel
ate.

"
WhenIgother
eyouwer
esl
eepi
ng,
knowi
ngy
ouhav
eal
ongdayt
oday
,Ihadt
olety
ousl
eep"

"
Aaah!ThankGodoo"

"
It
'sal
ri
ght
"Shehuggedheragai
nandhur
ri
edheroutoft
hebed.
"
Goandt
akecar
eofy
our
sel
fbef
oret
hemakeupar
ti
star
ri
ves"

Rachelstoodupandent er
edthebathr
oom.Nicolel
efthersi
stersroom andwentout
side.She
greet
edandt hankedevery
onehelpi
ngoutinthedif
fer
entchores.Shewasexcit
edbecausei t
wasani mportantdayf
orhersist
er.Walki
nggall
ant
ly,shest
oodbef or
eEghosawhowasbusy
washinghercar.

"
Goodmor
ningEghosa"

"
Aah!Goodmor
ningBoss.Di
dyousl
eepwel
l
?"

"
Idi
d"Shesai
dsmi
l
ing.

Shewentr
oundt
hecarcar
eful
l
yandr
etur
nedt
owher
eshest
oodbef
ore.

"
Makingi
tal
ivetomypar
ent
shousewasami
racl
e,Iwasf
ri
ght
ened"Shet
oldhi
m"Inot
icedy
ou
wer
enotafr
aid"

Eghosal
ookedatherandsmi
l
ed.

"Iwasnotaf
rai
dbecauseIhav
eal
readyent
rust
edmyl
i
fet
oJesus.It
rusthi
mtodel
i
verme
always"
.

"
Hmmm!
"

"
Yesboss,hel
ovesmeandyouandhepr ov
edi
t.Hedi
dn'
tal
l
owourl
i
vest
obewast
ed.Hi
slov
e
wi
ll
changeyouandgi
veyouconf
idence"
.
Ni
col
eli
stenedbutonl
ynodded.

"
ExcusemeBoss,
iti
sver
yri
skynott
ocommi
tyourdayandact
ivi
ti
esi
ntoGod'
shands.

"
Idon'
tgeti
t!
"Shesai
dfr
owni
ng.

"
Todayi
syoursi
ster
'smar
ri
age"

"
Yes"

"I
sitnotpr
oper,
thatasafamil
y,y
oushoul
dcommi
ttodayi
ntoGod'
shands.YouandIdon'
t
knowthenextsecondorminut
e,butHedoes.

"
Idon'
thav
eti
mef
ort
his"Shet
oldhi
m.

Eghosar
esumedcl
eani
ngt
hecarwhi
l
esher
etur
nedt
othehouse.

-
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

Rachael'
sbridepri
cehadbeenpai d.Shewasusher edwit
hdancingoutofthehousetosit
underacanopydecoratedpurposelyforherandherhusband.Ni
coledancedalongwit
hothers
whensuddenlytherewascommot i
on.Shecouldseeanel der
lymanbr aggi
ngandbeati
nghis
chest
.Inordernottodi
stractt
hebr i
deandbr i
degroom,shemov edfasttothegat
e.

"
Whatdoy
ouwant
?,Whyar
eyoucausi
ngconf
usi
onher
e?

"
Dem nopaymemoney
"themansai
dinpi
dgi
nEngl
i
sh.
"
Whodeyowey
ou?
"Sheasked.

"
Yourpapa"Hesai
d.

"
Myf
ather
?"

"
Yes!Yourpapa"

"
Howmuch?
"

"
20k"

Ni
col
ewal
kedbackandconf
ront
edherf
atherwhof
oll
owedhert
othegat
e.

"
Whi
cht
imeIt
akeowey
oumoney
"Ni
col
e'
sfat
herasked.

Themanl
aughedbar
inghi
sst
ainedt
eet
h.

"Youdeydolikeseyyounornoweti
ny ousupposedo.Yourpiki
ndeymarr
yandy ousuppose
givemedrinkandN20ktoholdhand.Igomaket hi
srai
nfallnownow.Igospoi
lthi
smar r
iage
oo"Hethreatened.

"
Alr
ight
,wai
tmakeIbr
ingmoney
"

Eghosawhohadwat
chedal
lal
ong,
steppedi
n.
"
Baba,
don'
tgi
vehi
m onenai
ra"Hesai
dandf
acedt
her
ainmaker
.

"
Withal
l duerespect,
thisfamil
yowey ounot
hing.Youshouldbecelebr
atingwit
hthi
sfamil
y.
Godistheonlyauthori
tyIrecogni
zeandItel
lyoutodaythatther
eshallbenorai
nunti
lever
yone
l
eaveshere.Inf
act,t
hereshallbenoraint
oday.Imeanthisparti
cul
arday"Hetoldt
hesurpr
ised
man.Notev enasingledrop.

Fewpeopl
ebegant
oexpr
essf
ear
.

"
Thi
smangoscat
tert
hispl
acewi
thr
ainoo"

EghosanudgedNicol
eandhisfat
hert
or et
urntotheoccasion.Therai
nmakerwasangr
y.He
fel
tinsul
tedandsohebegantomakeincantat
ions.Eghosabegantopraysi
l
ent
lywi
thi
nhim.

"
Inf
act
,ther
ainwi
l
lfal
lony
ou"Eghosawar
ned.

Suddenl
y,t
her
ewasl
i
ght
ningandt
hunder
.Thecl
oudbegant
odar
ken.Ni
col
erushedt
oEghosa.

"
Iam gi
vi
nghi
m hi
sdemand.Iwon'
tst
ayher
eandwat
chhi
m spoi
lthi
sbeaut
if
ulgat
her
ing"
.

"
Ifonl
yyouwil
ltrustGodBoss.I
fyouaregiv
ingi
ntohi
sdemand,
fine.Nopr
obl
em butIt
ell
you
t
oday,t
hismar
riagewill
goonuninter
rupt
ed".

Ni
colerushedintogetmoney.Assheappr
oachedt
heman,rainst
artedfal
l
ing.Sur
pri
singl
y,t
he
r
ainfel
lonlyontheman.Herushedoutoft
hegate,
butt
herainfel
lonlyonhim.Somepeople
r
ushedout si
dethecompoundtoseethemanrunni
ngi
ntohi
shouse.
"
Whoar
eyou?
"Ni
col
easked.

"
Eghosa"

"
Imean,
noty
ourname"

"
Iam achi
l
dofGod"

Shel
ookedathi
mforsomet
imebef
orej
oini
ngot
her
s.Eghosal
ookedatherandsmi
l
ed.

"Thosethatknowt
hei
rGodshal
ldoexpl
oit
"Hesai
dandsatdownt
oenj
oyt
hemar
ri
age
ceremony.

-
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

Theheavyknockonthedoorj
olt
edNosaandhisfamil
y.I
tohanopenedthedoortomeetthe
l
andl
ordandsomeboy sst
andi
ngoutsi
de.Shegr
eetedbutnoresponse.Hepushedherasi
de
andent
eredwit
htheboys.

"
Thr
owt
hei
rthi
ngsout
side"Heor
der
edt
heboy
s.

I
mmedi
atel
y,t
heywentt
owor
k.I
tohanhel
dthel
andl
ord'
scl
othesbeggi
ngandcr
ying.

"
Wher
eyouwantmakeIgot
hisni
ght
"Sheaskedt
hel
andl
ord

"
Asky
ourhusbandweynobemanenough"
Eventhechai
rNosasatwascarri
edout.Thelandlor
dwaitedunt
ilev
ery
thi
ngwast akenout
side.
Hepadlockedthedoorandl
eftwi
tht
heboy s.Neighbour
scameoutandsy mpat
hizedwitht
hem.
Therewasnothingt
heycoul
ddotohelp.

"
Nawet
inwegodo?
"It
ohanasked

"
Ijustconf
use,
Inornowet
int
odosef
".

I
tohanrushedoutoft
hecompoundst
rai
ghtt
oUy
i'
shouse.Uy
i'
swi
feopenedt
hedoorand
noti
cedIt
ohanwascrying.

"
Landl
orddont
hroweyourl
oadf
orout
side"

"
Thi
sni
ght
"Sheasked

"
Mychi
l
drenandhusbanddeyout
side"

"
Aaah!
"Shesai
dpl
aci
ngherhandonherhead.

Shecal
l
edherhusbandwhor
ushedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.

"
Per
sondi
e?"Heasked

"
Landl
orddonpackourt
hingsf
orout
side"

"
Nawaoo!Whi
chkai
nwahal
abet
his?
"
"Oy
anocr yagai
n.Gobri
ngthechil
drenmakeunasl
eepher
e.Tomor
row,
Igousemot
orpack
unathi
ngs.Wegoputthem forst
ore"

I
tohant hankedhim andrushedback.Tr
uetohisword,Uyipaidavantobri
ngtheirproper
ti
esto
hi
shouse.Uy i
mov edhiskidstohisr
oom sothatNosaandhi sfami
lyst
ayedthere.Theywere
pract
icall
yhandicapped.Nosawasnotwor ki
ngandItohanstoppedherbusi
ness.Theyall
dependedonUy if
ortheirdai
lybr
ead.

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t

Wr
it
tenbyFr
ancaUwui
giar
en

DEADLYDESI
RE

Epi
sode7

©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en

Nicol
esatopposit
eherparentsi
ntheirspaciousli
vi
ngroom.Itwaswellf
urni
shed.WhenNi
cole
mademoney ,shefur
nishedthehousetohert ast
e.Sherepl
acedtheol
dfurni
turewi
thnewones.
Shespentl
avishl
yonthehouse.Ov er
nightshebecamet hedarl
i
ngofthefamily
.

"
Iwi
l
lber
etur
ningt
oLagost
omor
row,
Ihav
ebookedmyf
li
ght
"

"
Aahaah!Wet
inhappent
oyourmot
or?
"Hermot
herasked.

"
Nothi
ng!Idon'
twantt
oexperi
encethehor
ribl
ethi
ngIexperi
encedwhenIwascomi
ng.Ihav
e
i
nst
ruct
edmydr i
vert
odri
vetomorrowbutforme,Iam t
akingafli
ght
"

"
Okay
"
"Youhavebeenabl
essi
ngtot
hisfamil
ymydaught
er.Becauseofy
ou,
Icant
alkwhenmymat
es
aretal
ki
ng.Godwil
lbl
essy
ou"herfat
hersai
d.

"
Amen"

"
KneedownmakeIpr
ayf
ory
ou"

Ni
col
ewentonherkneesandherf
atherpr
ayedf
orher
.

"Asyoubebl
essingforthi
sfami
l
y,nasoblessi
nggodeyfoll
owy ou.Younogomar ryanyhow
man.Theoneweygol oveyouwell
well
,gocomef ory
ou.Poormangodeyl ooky oufr
om far
,
butnogonearyou.Thatri
chmanweyGodpl antf
oryourway,nahim goseeyou.AsItal
kam,
nasoegobe".

"
Ise!
"Ni
col
eandhermot
herchor
used.

Nicol
ethankedherf
atherandl
eftt
hesi
tt
ingr
oom t
oherr
oom wi
thhermot
hert
rai
l
ingbehi
nd.
Theysatonthebed.

"Ithinkseyyougocomewi
thamanNi
col
ebutInoseeamanbyy
oursi
deasy
oucomef
ory
our
sistermarri
age"
.

"
Iye!
(mot
her
),i
t'
spar
toft
her
easonIt
rav
ell
eddownher
e.Iwant
edt
ohav
etêt
êat
êtêwi
thy
ou"

"
Enh!
,Bef
oreIcont
inue,
whobet
haty
ourdr
iver
?"

"
Him namenaEghosa,
whyy
ouask"
"
Thatmanf
itcauset
roubl
efory
ou"

"
Iye!Eghosanabet
aper
son.Esabi
prayandhegetbol
dnessweyIl
i
ke"

"
Wet
inImeanbesay
,ef
itgochal
l
engeper
sonweypassam,
andy
ougoent
ert
roubl
e"

"
Enhenh!
"

"
Yesnah!
"

"SeeNicole,
Ilookam v
erywell
andmymi ndtel
lmesey ,
him deyusejuj
u.Eputhandfor
something.Nawetinmakeam fi
tchal
lengethatrai
nmaker.Nomi ndall
thi
snat i
vedoct
orwey
deypretendli
keseydem bepastor
.Shineyoureyes.I
fewangi v
ey oupr
oblem sackam".

"
IhearI
ye!
"

"
Sowheny
ougomar
ry?
"Sheasked.

Ni
col
esi
ghedandl
ookedathermot
her
.

"
Iwantmakey
ouadv
isemeI
ye"

"
Enhenh"

"
Yes!Your
ememberNosa"Sheasked.
"Thatusel
essmanweygiveI
tohanbel
le?
,Whogof
orgethowhedi
sappoi
nty
ou?NaGodgo
punisham.Enogoeverseebett
erthi
ng"

"
Iye!Edondo,
Nosadeysuf
fernow"

"
NaGoddeypuni
sham so"

"
List
en!Somebodyadv
icemesaymakeIhel
pNosat
ost
andasmanagai
n..
."

"Tufi
akwa!Godf
orbi
d,Godgopuni
sht
hatper
son.Whi
chkai
nst
upi
dhel
pbet
hat
,not
ryam at
all
"

"
Iye,
NosashowmeshegeandIgodoam back.IwanshowI
tohanpepper
.It
ohanknowsey
Nosawanmarryme,
butshechookheadput
"

"
Sowet
iny
ouwando"I
yeasked

"
Igohel
pNosabutIgetmypl
ans"

I
yegav
eitat
houghtandnoddedappr
ovi
ngl
y

"
Makeshesefcr
y.Al
lthecr
yweyIcr
yformanyy
ear
s,shegocr
yforoneday
"

"
Ili
ket
hepl
anNi
col
e.Naper
sonweyl
aughl
astnael
aughbestoo"

Ni
col
egavehermotherthumbsup.Shebr
oughtouthert
rav
ell
i
ngboxandhermum hel
pedher
t
oarr
angeherthi
ngsint
oit.
-
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
-

Nosaandhi sfamil
yhadalreadyspentaweekinUy
i'
shouse.EventhoughheknewUy i
was
cheerf
ul,
hewasgr umbl
ing.Noonet ol
dhim Uy
iwastr
yingtobeaccommodating.Themouths
wait
ingforhim wer
emany .Theweightoff
eedi
ngwaskill
i
ng.ThatmorningUy
i cal
l
edhimtoeat
butherefused.

"
Whyar
eyounoteat
ing"

"
Iam ashamed"

"
Why
?"

"
Iam ashamedofmysel
f"at
eardropescapedfrom hi
seyes.Uyi
lef
thisf
oodonthedinni
ng
r
oom andfol
lowedNosaout
side.Whentheyhadsettl
edonalongbenchout
side,
Uyibegan.

"
Ify
ouhadboughtmyadv
ise,
youwoul
dn'
thav
ebeeni
nthemessy
ouar
e"

Nosal
ookedathi
m andcl
osedhi
sey
es,
butUy
icont
inued.

"
Nicol
eisy
ourt
icketoutofpov
ert
y,al
lyouneedt
odoi
saskherf
orf
orgi
veness.Youknow
Ni
colei
ski
ndand..
..
..
"

"
Thatwasy
ear
sagoUy
i.Shecannev
erbeki
ndt
oadespi
cabl
eper
sonl
i
keme"

Uy
ilaughedboi
ster
ousl
y
"
See,
shehasmoneybutnotmar
ri
ed.Thati
stosay
,youhav
eagr
eatchancewi
thher
"

"
Andmywi
fe?
"

"
Makehercomfor
tabl
eandshewi
l
lshuthermout
hup.Shedoesn'
tneedt
oknowy
oumor
ethan
whaty
outel
lher
"

Nosashookhi
slegsandt
aphi
sfeetnoi
sel
essl
y.

"ComeonNosa!Iam notsayi
ngy oudi
vorceyourwi
feneit
heram Isay
ingyoushoul
dmar r
y
Nicol
e.Justpl
ayyourcar
dwellandgetoutofpover
ty.Tel
lyourwi
feonlywhatsheneedst
o
hearandli
mitwhatsheknows"

"
Hmmm!
"

"
Letmest
il
lthi
nkabouti
t"

"
Whenwi
l
lyoumaket
hisdeci
sion.Puty
ourchi
l
dreni
ntoconsi
der
ati
on"
.

Theoner oom Nosashar

edwithhi
sfamil
ywaslikeacaget ohim.Sever
alni
ghtsaft
erUy i
sow
theseedinhisheart
,hef
inal
l
ygaveitashot
.Het houghtofhiswif
eandchil
dren.Hethoughtof
theter
mshi schi
ldr
enhadmissedschool
.Hethoughtofallthegoodt
hingsIt
ohanhaddonef or
him,al
lthesacri
fi
ces.

"
Aaah!Myf
ami
l
ydeser
vemor
ethant
his"

I
tohanwokeupandl
ookedatNosasl
eepi
ng.
"
Yout
alkt
ome"

"
No!Sl
eepy
ouhear
"

I
tohandr
if
tedbackt
osl
eep.Hel
i
stenedt
ohersnor
ingont
hebed.

"
Thi
swomanhast
ri
ed.Fory
ear
sshehasbeenput
ti
ngf
oodont
het
abl
eandIwassear
chi
ngf
or
j
ob"

Ther oom wassuddenlyhot .Nosal

eftthechai
rtothewindow.Her
aisedthecurtai
nsup.
Insteadofreturni
ngt
ot hechairhecareful
l
ywalkedtothebedandsat.Helookedathi
s
sleepingchi
ldrenonthefloorandsi
ghed.

"Li
feisn'
teasybutIam goingt
omakei
t"Hel
aybesi
dehi
swi
feandcuddl
edher
.Hewhi
sper
ed
i
ntotheearsofhissl
eepingwif
e.

"
Ihav
etakenadeci
siont
hatwi
l
lfav
ourus"

Hegent
lypl
acedherheadonthepil
low.Nosastr
etchednoisel
essl
yont
hebedandsl
eptof
f.I
t
wasasl
eepwherehedr eamtofgol
d,mansionanddoll
ars.

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t

Wr
it
tenbyFr
ancaUwui
giar
en

DEADLYDESI
RE

Epi
sode8
©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en

Nosa'smouthref
usedt
ocloseashel
ookedatthemansi
onNicol
eliv
es.Hel
ookedatt
hepiece
ofpaperagai
ntomakesur
ehewasattheri
ghtaddr
ess.Hescrat
chedhi
sheadthenwhi
stl
es.

"
Iam notsur
eUy
igav
emet
her
ightaddr
ess"

Hebroughtouthi
sphoneanddi
all
edUyi
'sli
nebutUyi
didn'
tanswerthecal
l
.Hesummoned
cour
ageandknockedonthegat
e.Thesecuri
tymandidn'
tmakethi
ngseasyashekeptgl
ari
ng
athi
m.

"
Whoar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or?Heaskedhar
shl
y.

"
I.
..
I.
..don'
tbeof
fended.Iam l
ooki
ngf
ort
heowneroft
hehouse"Hest
ammer
ed.

"
Issheexpect
ingy
ou"

"
No.
..
.em.
..
.nosi
r"Hest
ammer
edagai
n.

"
Wai
ther
e"

Thesecur
it
ymanl
ockedt
hegat
eandwenti
nsi
det
henr
etur
ned.

"
Whati
syourname?
"

"
Nosakhar
e,Nosaf
orshor
t"
Hewenti
nsi
det
henr
etur
nedagai
n.

"
Comei
n"

Nosa'
spal
mswer esweatyandhekeptr
ubbingt
hem.Hewasstil
lst
unnedt
hatNi
col
eli
vesi
n
suchmansi
on.Helookedatthecar
sandshookhi
sheadi
ndisbel
ief
.

"
Thi
sisnotor
dinar
y"Hesai
dal
oud.

"
Yousay
?"

"
Not
hing!Thi
spl
acei
sexqui
sit
e"

Nosawasn'
tawar
ethatNi
col
ewaswat
chi
nghi
m.

Themai dopenedthedoorf orNosawhil

ethesecurit
ymanr et
ur nedtohispost.Nosastar
ed
practi
call
yatevery
thi
ng.Hewasexpect i
ngtoseeNi col
ewaiti
ngf orhim butnothi
ngli
kethat
happened.Themai ddi
dn'tofferhi
m aseatnei
therdri
nk.Shejusttol
dhimt hemadam oft he
housewi l
lsoonbedownst air
sandexcusedhersel
f.Helookedatt hechair
s,toocomfort
ableto
seat.Hisheartt
hud.

Memor i
esbegant orushin.HebegantowishUyiwaswi thhi
m.Uyihasawayofassur inghim
evenwhenalli
sn'twell
.Nosalef
thomesoear l
ywithoutfood.Nott
hatfoodwasn'tserv
edbut
theexci
tementofmeet i
ngNicol
eaftermanyyear
swoul dnotall
owhimr ecogni
zethatther
e
wasfood.Nowhisst omachstart
edrumbli
ng.Hewishedf oragl
assofwat ert
oquencht he
pangsofhungerthreat
eninghi
m.

"
Goodmor
ningNosa"abeaut
if
ulv
oicegr
eet
ed.
Heswi
rlr
oundandsawNi
col
ecomi
ngdownt
hest
air
.

"
Goo.
..
.odmor
ningNi
col
e"

"
Whyar eyoust
andi
ng.Iexpect
edy
out
ohav
eset
tl
edononeoft
hechai
rs"Shesai
dcheer
ful
l
y,
"
pleasesi
t".

Nicol
ecall
edthemaidandr equest
edf ordri
nkstobeserv
ed.Qui
ckl
y,sher
eturnedwit
habot tl
e
ofwineandtwoglasses.Nosaswal l
owedhar di
nhisseat
.Heconcl
udedinhishear
tthatindeed
Nicol
ewasswi mminginmoney .Everyt
hingaboutt
hehouseandthewineoozesmoney .

"
Iam sor
ryIhav
etocomet
hisway
.Youknowi
t'
sbeenal
ongt
imeandt
heci
rcumst
anceswi
th
whi
chwe...
."

"Don'
tment
ionNosa,
what
everhappenedi
nthepastr
emai
nsi
nthepast
.Let
'sf
orgetabout
all
..
."

"No!Ican'
tpr
etend.Iam sor
ryf
ort
hebet
ray
al.Iam sor
ryt
hatIhadt
ost
opy
oureducat
ion
abrupt
ly"

Nicolel
ookedathi
m andl
aughed.Nosahadnotchanged,
shet
hought
.Al
way
squi
ckt
o
apologi
zeevenwhenheisnotatfaul
t.

"Yes,youst
oppedpay
ingmyschool
fees.Icompl
etedmyeducat
ion.Any
way
,thati
sast
oryf
or
anotherday
"

Nosaser
vedwi
neforhi
mselfandNicol
e.Ashesipthewine,het
houghtofsomanyt hi
ngs.
Nicol
ewasnol
ongert
hat22yearsoldgi
rlanyl
onger
.Sheisnowmature,el
egantand
commandsweal
th.
"
Uyi
tol
dmet
hingsar
enotmov
ingwel
lfory
ou"

"
Em.
.em.
..
yes.Thi
ngsar
eroughandt
ough"Hesai
ddr
oppi
nghi
sgl
assont
hegl
assyt
abl
e

"
Tel
lmeev
ery
thi
ng"

Nosanarrat
edhowhewassackedf rom hi sj
ob,howhehasbeensear
chingforj
obsincethen.
Hetoldherhowl ackoffundhasprev entedhisrentt
obepai
dandhischil
drenhomeinsteadof
school
.Now, thelandl
ordhassentthem packi ngandhei
ssquat
ti
ngwithUy i
.Ni
col
elist
ened
andwascarriedawayf orati
me.Shesi gheddeeply.

"
Ihav
eahousenotf
arf
rom t
hisone,
woul
dyoul
i
ket
oseei
t"Shesai
d.

"
Sur
e"

"WhenUyipr
esentedyourmattert
ome,Ithoughtofwayst
ohelpy
ou.Idon'twanttoimpose
anyt
hingonyou.Ihav
ebusinessesar
ound.Wouldyouli
ketobemypersonalassi
stant
?Youwil
l
hel
pmegoar oundandmoni t
or"

"
Sur
e!"Nosashout
ed"
Iwoul
dlov
eto"

"
Don'
tworryaboutsalar
y,Iwi
ll
payy ouhandsomel
y"Shet
oldhi
m."
Iwi
l
ltakecar
eofy
our
war
drobe,
transpor
t,f
eedingal
lowances"

"
Aaah!Af
terwhatIdi
dtoy
ou,
justl
i
ket
hat
?"

Het
hankedNi
col
epr
ofusel
y.Hewasexpect
inghert
obef
uri
ousbutshedi
dn'
tshowanysi
gnt
o
suggestshewasangr
y.Nosawentonhi
skneest
oapol
ogi
zeagai
n.

"
No,
no!Youdon'
tneedt
odot
hat
,Ihav
efor
giv
eny
ou"

Sohesatther
eandt
heyremini
sceont
hei
rpast
.Thenshet
oldhi
mthet
ypeofbusi
nessshe
wasi
nto.Nosawasexci
ted.

Ni
col
ewenti
nandr
etur
nedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom dr
essedi
naT-shi
rtandabl
uej
eant
rouser
.

"Iwanty
out oseet
hehouseIspokeof
.Ify
oudon'
tl
ikei
t,t
henwecandr
ivet
oAj
ah.Ihav
etwo
housesther
e"

Nosawast
ooshockedt
orespond.Bot
hoft
hem cameout
.

Eghosawasal r
eadyint hecarwait
ingfort
hem.Nicol
ehadbri
ef edhi
m onherdesti
nati
on.Nosa
eyedthedr
iverbutshuthi smouth.Hiscl
othi
ngwasexpensi
ve.Thisguymustbecollect
ingso
muchf r
om Nicole.Al
ltheseareabouttochange,
forhewasalreadyNicol
e'
sPersonalAssi
stant
.

Eghosadrov
eforabouttwent
yminut
est
henpar
kedthecarbesi
deahouse.I
twasanewlybui
l
t
house.Noonewasliv
ingther
e.I
twasat
wobedroom.Nosasurvey
edthehouseandsmi
l
ed
sheepi
shl
y.

"
Doy
oul
i
kei
t"

"
Ofcour
seIdoNi
col
e"

"
Alr
ight
,gi
vemeaweekt
oputt
hispl
acei
nor
der
.Letmef
urni
sht
hispl
ace.Iwanty
ouandy
our
f
amilyt
obecomf
ort
abl
e".
Nosawast
ooov
erwhel
med.

"
OhNi
col
e.Thanky
ou.
"

"I
t'
snothi
ng.Li
fei
stooshortt
owasteonangerandhat
red.Whathappenedi
nthepastshoul
d
notst
oppedmef r
om assi
sti
ngyou.Pl
easer
esumenextweekMonday "Shet
oldhi
m.

Nosar
anandhuggedEghosabecausehewashappy
.

"
Godi
stoomer
cif
ul"Hesai
d.

Onhiswayhome, hecoul
dnotst
opwhi st
li
ng.Heenteredashoppi ngmallanddidalit
tl
e
shoppi
ng.Whenhewasabouttoleave,Ni
coleaskedforhisbankdet ai
l
sandt hentr
ansfer
red
ei
ghtythousandnai
rai
ntohi
saccountandcountedfi
fteenthousandnairacashforhi
m.

Nosaent
eredaneat
eryandt
reat
edhi
msel
fni
cel
ybef
oregoi
ngt
oUy
ishouse.

Aft
erdi
nner
,hegat
her
edhi
sfami
l
yandt
oldt
hem hehadgot
tenaj
obi
nabi
gcompanyowned
byawoman.

"AaahGod,nayougetpowerpass.Seet
hewayy
oumakemel
aught
hisni
ght
"It
ohansai
dgoi
ng
onherknees.

"
StandupI
tohan,
youwi
l
lnotsuf
feragai
n.Iwi
l
lmakesur
eseyIgi
vey
ouev
ery
thi
ngweyy
ouask.

I
tohanl
aughed.
"
Nahowmuchbet
hesal
aryweyy
ouwant
akedoev
ery
thi
ngf
ormesef
?"

"Rel
ax!Iwantyout
otr
ustme.Igochangey
ourcl
othes,
openbi
gshopf
ory
ouandmakesur
e
seythechi
ldr
engobet
terschool
.

I
tohanwashappy .Fort
hefir
stt
imeinmonths,
shehuggedherhusbandandwoul
dn'tl
etgo.Her
twochi
ldrensmil
edshylyandgather
edr
oundthei
rpar
ents.NosadraggedUy
iout
sideand
gist
edhim ev
ery
thing.

"
Itol
dy oushewi
l
lassi
sty
ou.Tel
lyourwi
fet
hecompanyy
ouar
ewor
kingr
ent
edandf
urni
shed
i
tforyou"

"
Alr
ight
"

"
Let
'sgooutanddr
ink"

Uyidr
ovet
ohisf
avour
it
ejoi
ntandNosatr
eat
edhi
mt osev
eral
bott
lesofdri
nk.Byt
het
imethey
wouldl
eav
ethebar
,Uyiwasdr
unk.Nosawhowasnott
ookeenaboutdr
inki
ngdrov
eUyihome.

Bef
orehesl
ept
,het
oldI
tohant
hatsoont
heywoul
dbel
eav
ingUy
i'
shouse.

"
Thecompanywher
eIgotaj
obi
spl
anni
ngt
ogetanaccommodat
ionf
orus"

"
Enhenh"

"
Notonl
ythat
,theywi
l
lfur
nishi
t"
I
tohanst
oodupf
rom t
hebedandst
art
eddanci
ng,
whi
l
eNosawat
chedherandl
aughed.

"
Iwi
l
lspoi
lyouwi
thmoney
"Hepr
omi
sedher

Hebr
oughtouthi
str
ouserandbr
oughtoutsomemoney
.

"
Taket
hismoneygodoy
ourhai
r,edont
oor
ough"

I
tohancol
l
ect
edt
hemoney
.

"
Nawher
eyougetmoney
"

"
Ibor
rowam f
rom Uy
i,whenIr
ecei
vesal
aryIgopayam"

"
AbegIgomanagemyhai
rli
ket
his.Sal
aryweyy
ounev
ercol
l
ect
,youdont
heybor
row"
.

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t

Wr
it
tenbyFr
ancaUwui
giar
en

DEADLYDESI
RE

Epi
sode9

©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en

Nosaandhisfami
lymovedint
othet
wobedroom apar
tment.Thedayhi
m andIt
ohancamet
o
i
nspectt
hehouse,
theywer
esomuchelat
ed.Theycouldnotbeli
evet
heywouldeverl
i
vei
nsuch
ki
ndoff
urni
shedhouse.I
tohansatonal
lthechai
rs.

"
Them spendmoneyf
orher
eo"Shet
oldherhusband"
Ebel
i
keseyIdeyObodoOy
ibo"

Sheent
eredt
heki
tchen,
openedt
hecabi
net
soneaf
tert
heot
her
.

"
Nawaoo!Idonbebi
gmanwi
feov
erni
ght
"

Thebedr
oom amazedher
.Sher
emov
edhershoesandj
umpedont
hebed.

"
Nosawet i
nbet
henameofthecompany .Nawaoo.Thecompanycomeli
keyouoo.Seeas
t
hem spendmoneyf
ort
hishouse.Aah!Godgoblesst
hem wel
lwell
"Shepr
ayed.

"
Aaah!Amenooo"

Nosaandhi
sfami
l
ypi
ckedupf
ewoft
hei
rbel
ongi
ngsandaskedUy
itosel
lot
her
sto"
Aboki
".

Hebeganhisworkinearnest.Hewoul
dr eporti
nNi col
e'
shouse8:00am andcl
osedfort
heday
5:
00pm.Eghosathedr i
verwouldt
akethem roundthediffer
entpl
acesherbusi
nessarel
ocated.
Dependi
ngonwher eNicolewantt
hem togof ortheday.Theywouldspendti
me,eval
uat
ing
bef
oretheyl
eavefortheday.

Whenev
ershei
sunav
ail
abl
eorunabl
etogowi
tht
hem,
shewoul
dinst
ructNosaonwhatt
odo.

Thef
ir
stsal
aryNosar
ecei
vedshookhi
m.I
twashuge.

"
Thi
sist
oomuch"Hesai
d.
"
It
'snot
hing.Youhav
efami
l
y,t
akecar
eoft
hem.Nosat
hankedher
.

Onhi
swayhome,heboughtabeauti
fulgownandapairofshoef
orhi
swi
fe.I
tohansawt
he
gownandscr
eamedf
orjoy,shehuggedherhusband.

"
Itol
dyouIwi
l
lspoi
lyou"Het
oldher
,ki
ssi
nghersof
tl
y.

"
Thanky
oumyhusband"

"
Thi
sisj
ustt
hebegi
nni
ngmylove.Ast
hemoneyr
oll
sin,
itwi
l
lref
lectony
ou.Youhav
esuf
fer
ed
f
orme,t
hisi
senj
oymentt
ime"

I
tohanhuggedhi
mti
ght
lyandst
art
edpr
ayi
ngf
orhi
m.

"Godnogoshameyou.Yougocont i
nuet
obetheheadofthi
sfami
l
y.Ev
ent
hatj
obweyy
ouj
ust
star
t,Godgopr
omoteyou.Aaah!Younogosuf
feragai
n"

"
Amenoo"

Hegavehermoneyt
oenrollt
heki
dsinagoodschool
.Theexcit
ementil
l
umi nat
esthehouse.
I
tohanent
eredt
heki
tchenanddi
shedfoodf
orherhusband.Bot
hofthem endedupeati
ngit.

-
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

NosaandUy idr
ovet
oabeerparl
our.Uyihadf
ini
shedonebot
tl
eal
readyandwasont
he
secondbot
tl
e.Nosawasst
il
lromancingabott
le.
"
Youhav
eaddedwei
ght
"Uy
isai
dlooki
ngathi
m al
lov
er.

"
Abegdr
inky
ourbeer
"

"
Don'
tshutmeup.Ni
col
emustbecompensat
ingy
ouwel
l
"

"
Ofcour
se!
"

"
Shei
senj
oyi
ngy
out
oo"

Nosal
aughedbutsai
dnot
hing.

"
Makesur eyoui
mpregnateher.Hmmm!Yourwif
emustnotknowy
ouhav
eany
thi
ngt
odowi
th
I
tohan.Shemustnotseteyesonherorhel
lwi
l
lbreakl
oose"
.

"Iam notsl
eepi
ngwit
hherUy
i.Iam herP.
A,shehasnotmadeanyadv
anceatmenorhi
nt
anythi
ngofsuch".

Uyiscoff
ed"P.Aindeed,
Abegtel
lmet hetr
uthj
are.Shecan'
tbespendi
ngsomuchmoneyon
youifsheisnothavi
ngasexualr
elat
ionshi
pwit
hy ou"

"
IrepeatUy
i,Idon'
thav
eanysexual
rel
ati
onshi
pwi
thher
.It
'sj
ustpl
atoni
c"

Forawhi
l
e,t
heydr
anki
nsi
l
enceandwat
chedpeopl
ecomei
nandgo.

"
Idon'
thav
eanyi
ntent
ionofsl
eepi
ngwi
thher
.It
'st
ruemywi
fei
snoteducat
ed,
butIl
oveher
.
Uy
iIl
oveI
tohan"

"
Whyst
ickt
oapar
ti
cul
arf
oodwhent
her
ear
edi
ff
erentv
ari
eti
esoff
ood"

Nosal
aughedbutsai
dnot
hing.Heor
der
edf
oranot
herbot
tl
eofbeer
.

"
Ilov
ethet
asteofthefi
rstone.I
tohanhasnotl
ostherf
lav
ourorsal
ti
nessunt
ilt
hen,
she
r
emainsmyfavour
itef
ood"

Onhi
swayhome,
hebegant
orehear
sedhi
sconv
ersat
ionwi
thUy
i.

"
IfIam notcar
eful
,Uy
iwi
l
llandmei
ntr
oubl
e.

*
***
***
***
***
***
**

Nosadr
oveint
othecompoundinanexpensivecar
.Hi
sfami
l
ycameoutt
oseehi
m st
epoutof
t
hecarwit
hquesti
onswr
it
tenonthei
rfaces.

"
Thecompanygav
emet
hiscar
.It
'scal
l
edof
fi
cial
car
"Het
oldt
hem.

Helovedt
heexpressi
onontheirf
aces.Hischi
ldr
enjumpedonhi
m andItohanwasallsmi
l
es.
It
ohanopenedthedoorandsatcomfort
ablyontheseat
.Whenshesteppeddown,shewas
alr
eadyi
ntears.

"
Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
"Heaskedsof
tl
y.

I
tohanwentt
ohi
m andpl
acedherheadonhi
schest
.
"
Thej
oyf
ormyhear
ttoomuch"Shesai
d.

"
Iunder
stand"

Thechi
ldrenwer eal
readyint
hecar.Nosaaskedhiswifetohopinandhedr ov
et hem t
oamal l
,
wheret
heypickedwhatt heyneeded.Befor
etheyret
urned,t
hechil
drenwerealr
eadydozing.
It
ohanwoket hem togoinandsleep.Aft
ermakingsuretheyhav
eent er
edthei
rroom and
comfor
tablei
nt hei
rbed,It
ohancarri
edaglassofwatertothedi
nningroom.Nosawasal ready
ther
epressi
nghi sphone.

"
Thi
sGodt
oogood"Shet
oldhi
m,Inoev
erbel
i
eveseyGodgor
emembert
hisf
ami
l
y"

Nosawast
ooconcent
rat
edonhi
sphonet
ohearher

"
Ideyt
alkt
oyou"

Her
aisedhi
sheadupandsmi
l
edather
.

"
Wet
iny
out
alk?
"

"
IsayInobel
i
eveseyGodgof
itr
ememberus"

"
Aaah!Babat
oomuch"Hesai
dst
il
lpr
essi
nghi
sphone.

It
ohanst
udiedherhusbandthem smi
led.Hehasaddedwei ghtandhisneckthatusedtobe
l
ongandthinduetohardshi
phadpuffof f
.Hei
snowr obust.Shealsoobserv
edt hatNosawas
alway
spressi
nghisphone,hedoesn'
tsleepmuchinthenight.
Sev
eral
times,
shehadcaughthi
m smi
l
ingsheepi
shl
y.

"
Whyy
oudeyl
aughbyy
our
sel
f"Shehadasked.

"
Aah!nasomebodyher
edeymakemel
augh"

Sher
emember
edshesmi
l
edt
ohi
sresponseandwentbackt
osl
eep.

I
tohanpour
edwat
eri
nhergl
ass,
thenr
aisedi
ttohermout
h.Af
rowncr
ossedherf
ace.

"
Youbuynewphone?
"Sheasked.

Nosar
aisedhi
sheadandsmi
l
ed.

"
Yesna,
today
.Nat
hel
atestphonebet
his"

"
Nawaoo!Goodt
hingsdeyhappenf
ort
hisf
ami
l
yoo"

"
Nowor
ryIgochangey
ourphone"
,Het
oldher

"
Inowantphone,
theoneweyIdeyusest
il
lgood"Shet
oldhi
m.

Nosa'
sat
tent
ionwentbackt
ohi
sphone.Hel
aughedsof
tl
yobl
i
viousofhi
swi
fewat
chi
nghi
m.

"
Nosa!
"Shecal
l
ed
"
Wet
in?
"

"Whenyougolookmesef.Ever
yti
meweyy ouretur
nfr
om work,
yougodeypr
essphone.Na
phonebeyourwif
e?Thi
smor ni
ngIbewant el
lyousomet
hingbuty
ouseyyoudonl
ate.Youdon
ret
urnf
rom work,
naphoneyoucarry
,okay
ooo"

Nosadr
oppedhi
sphoneandt
ouchedhi
swi
fe'
shand.

"
Iam sor
ry,
nov
ex!Nawet
iny
oubewant
ell
me?
"

"Idont
ir
etost
ayhousewit
houtdoi
ngany
thi
ng,Iwandobusi
ness.Idoncheckt
hisourst
reet
andthekai
nbusi
nessweyIforl
i
kedonodeyhere"

"
Whi
chkai
nbusi
nessy
ouf
orl
i
kedo"

"
Iwancont
inuet
heakar
abusi
ness"

"
Enh!Godf
orbi
dbadt
hing.Not
ryam ooh,
thi
nkofbet
terbusi
nessj
are"Heexpl
oded

Henev erl
ikedt
hebusiness,butt
hefactt
hati
twasput t
ingfoodonthetablemadehimt oshut
up.Thesmokeal onefr
om thewoodmadei twor
se.Hehadl ongthoughtofthebusi
nessforhi
s
wifeandgoingi
ntoclothi
ngbusinesswasagoodidea.I
tohanwatchedherhusbandlostin
thought.

"Idon'
tl
ikeakar
abusi
ness.ThecompanyIwor
kforwoul
dn'
tl
ikey
oudosuchbusi
nessi
nfr
ont
ofthecompound"
"
Idonhear
!"

"If
orl
i
kegoi
ntot
ail
ori
ng.Iwanl
ear
nhowt
osewcl
othes.Iknowagoodpl
acewher
eIf
itl
ear
n
am.

"
Ok.Goaskt
omor
rowmakeIknowhowmucht
heper
songot
aket
eachy
ou.
"

"
Ok"

"
Arey
ouhappynow?
"

I
tohanlaughedandnodded.Shethankedherhusbandt
henmov
edawayf
rom t
hedi
nni
ngr
oom
t
ot hesit
ti
ngroom t
owatchat el
evisi
onprogr
amme.

Nosawat chedherf
orawhi l
ethensmil
ed.I
tohanisabeaut
if
ulwoman,butshedoesn'
tknow
howcapt i
vati
ngsheis.Hewouldusemoneytoenhanceherbeaut
y.Though,
hewouldhave
prefer
redhertogotoschoolbutshej
ustdoesn'
thavei
nter
esti
nit
.Heshookhisheadthen
focusedonhisphone.

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t

Wr
it
tenbyFr
ancaUwui
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en

DEADLYDESI
RE

Epi
sode10

©Fr
ancaUwui
giar
en

Uyij
ustf
ini
shedhavi
ngsexwithNicol
e.Hesatbesi
deheronthebed.Theywer
ebot
hnaked.
Theyhav
ebeenfrequent
lydi
ff
erenthot
elsj
usttosat
isf
ythei
rsexual
urge.
Ni
col
e39,fel
tnomanwascomi ngf
orheragai
n.Shedat
edy
oungermeni
nthepast
,butwer
e
al
waysi
nti
midat
edbyherweal
th.

From thebegi
nni
ngshehadmadei
tcl
eart
oUy
ithatnot
hingi
sbet
weent
hem.I
t'
sonl
ythesex
thatconnect
sthem.

Uy i
isachroni
cwomani zer
.Womanofev eryshapeandsi
zeattr
actshi
m.Hedoesn'
thavea
choice.Whenhefi
rstcameincontactwi
thNicol
e,hewasexci
ted.Hewastheonewhotoldher
heli
v edcl
osetoNosa.Hewast heonefeedi
ngherinf
ormat
ionaboutNosa.

Shest
artedlongingforhim.Uyiwasalwaysvi
sit
ingandNicol
ewouldgivehi
m money.Itwas
oneofthosevisi
tsthatthemaidrequest
edUyishouldcomeupstai
rs.Heent
eredherroom and
metNicolenaked.Heclosedthedoorgentl
yandsheor der
edhimtocome.

"
Wear
eadul
tsandmat
ure.Ineedy
ouandIwi
l
lpayy
ouhandsomel
y"

Uyi
didn'
thesi
tat
e,hecl
i
mbedthebedandhadsexwi
thher
.Hesl
eptatherpl
ace.Whenev
ershe
wasinthemood,shewoul
dcal
lhi
m.

Sincesheemploy edEghosa,shehadbeenuncomf or
table.Hewasalwayslooki
ngf orever
y
opport
unit
ytopr eachtoher.Also,si
nceNosast
artedwor ki
ngwit
hher,shehaddeci dedtost
op
hersexualr
elat
ionshipwit
hUy i.Nosamustnotknowt heyarehav
ingsexualrel
ati
onship.

Ni
col
esatupandsmi
l
edatUy
i.

"
Howfarhaveyougonewi
thNosa?Ihav
ewaitedforcl
osetoay earnowwai
ti
ngf
orhi
mto
makeadv
ancesatmebutnot
hingi
shappeni
ng"shecomplained.
"Areyout
ryi
ngtot
ell
met
hatnosexual
rel
ati
onshi
pexi
stbet
weent
het
woofy
ou?
"Uy
iasked
sit
ti
nguptoo.

"
Not
hingl
i
ket
hat
."

"Whyar
eyouspendi
ngsomuchonhi mthen.Het
oldmehowmuchyoupayhi
m.Youal
sogota
carf
orhi
m.Si
nceIhavebeenher
e,Ihav
enotbenefi
tedasNosa"

"
Ilov
ehi
m Uy
i"

"
Andme?
"

"
Wel
l
,Idon'
tl
ovey
ou.Thet
rut
h..
.Igi
vey
oumoneyt
oo"

Uy
iwasof
fendedbyherchoi
ceofwor
ds.

"
Nosal
ovehi
swi
fe"

"
Iknow,
keepwor
kingonhi
m,Il
ovehi
m andneedhi
m onmybed"

Uy
iwasal
readyj
eal
oust
hatNi
col
elov
esNosamor
ethanhi
m.

"
It
ohandoesn'
tfi
thi
m"

"
Hmmm!Howl
ongwi
l
litt
akey
out
obr
eakhi
m.Iwanthi
m al
lformy
sel
f"
Uy
ipausedandsmi
l
edwi
ckedl
y

"
Ineedt
imeandmoney
"

"
Alr
ight
"

"
WhenIgethomeIwi
l
lsendy
oumor
emoney
"

"
Alr
ight
"

Theyhadanotherroundofsexbef
oretheylef
tthehot
el.Deepinherhear
t,shedeci
dedt
otake
thebull
bythehorns.Shehadbeenchatt
ingNosaonapl at
oniclev
elbuthewill
havetot
akea
stepfur
ther
.

-
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
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--
--
--
--
--
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--
--
--

Nosahadal r
eadycl i
mbedthebedwhenhisphonebeeped.Hestretchedhishandandtookthe
phonefrom t
het able,
besi
dethebed.I
twasamessagef rom Ni
colerequesti
nghimtocheckhis
Whatsapp.Quickly,
heopenedhisWhatsappandcheckedhismessage.Hesawt hecontentand
hi
sheartthud.

Nosasatupandl
ookedathi
ssl
eepi
ngwi
fe.Hi
sat
tent
ionr
etur
nedt
ohi
sphone.

"
Whatt
hehel
l
?"Hewhi
sper
ed.

Quietl
yhetiptoedoutofthebedroom t
othesitt
ingroom.Hesatquiet
lyandcomf ort
ablyand
thenhebegant olookatt
hepicturesNi
colesenthim.Nudepictur
esofherself
.Sheposedi n
diff
erentst
yles.Nosal
ookedatsomeoft hepict
ureswithopenmouth.Thenhedr oppedthe
phoneont hechairwentt
othekitchent
ogetsomechi ll
edbeer.Ashewentt hroughthepictur
es,
hest
art
edhav
ingsexual
urge.Henot
icedhehader
ect
ionbutqui
ckl
ypl
acedt
hecushi
onpi
l
low
onhi
slap.

Heclosedhi
seyesandbegantoi
magi
nehimsel
fhavi
ngsexualexpl
oitwi
thNi
col
e.Whi
l
eint
hat
posi
ti
on,hi
sphonerang.I
twasNi
col
e,hepi
ckedi
timmediat
ely
.

"
Ijustwant
edtomakesureyouar
ethi
nki
ngofmet
oni
ght
"Shet
oldhi
m"Youmeanal
ott
ome
Nosa.Inev
erst
oppedt
hinki
ngabouty
ou"

Bef
oreNosacouldrespondshecutt
hecal
l
.Nosawentbackt
othepi
ctur
esandbegant
olook
att
hem oneaf
tertheother
.

-
--
--
--
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--
--
--
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--
--
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--
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--
--
--

Nicoledroppedherphoneont hebedandbegant olaughgentl

y.ShehadspentmoneyonNosa.
Shehadwai t
edforhi
m enought otaketheinit
iati
vebutei
therhewassexuall
yblindor
pretendi
ng.Shehadtakent hebullbythehorn.IfNosahadmar r
iedher
,herfi
rstchil
dwould
have17or18y ear
s.Allhereff
ortinthatr
elat
ionshipwentint
owastebecauseofI t
ohanwho
decidedtostealfr
om her.Yes,I
tohanstol
eherman.Nowt hatNosawaswor kingforher
,iti
s
heroppor t
unit
ytomakehi m hers.I
tohanwasgoi ngtocrythewayshecri
ed.

Shepi
ckedt
hephoneagai
nandt
hensentl
ovemessagest
ohi
m.

"I
tohancannotl
ovey
out
hewayIdo"shewhi
sper
ed."
Ifhei
sunwi
l
li
ngt
ocomet
ome,
thenIwi
l
l
gotohim"

Sheundressedandlaynakedont hebed.SheknewNosawasgoingt obeatt

entivetoher
.She
haspassedhermessaget ohim andwasgoingtowai
tforhi
sresponse.Hisresponseisgoi
ng
todet
erminehernextsteps.Ni
colesmiledagai
nandtr
iedt
ogot osleep.
-
--
--
--
--
--
--
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--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

It
ohanwokeupsuddenl y,shehadadream.Itwasnotapleasantdr
eam.Shel ookedatthewall
clock.Theti
mewasj ustpast2am andherhusbandwasnotont hebedei t
her.Shelayonthe
bedhopi ngNosawoul dcomeoutfrom thetoi
let
,soshewouldtel
lhim herdr
eam.Wor ri
ed,she
l
ef tt
hebedt othetoi
letbuthewasnotthere.Sheopenedthedoorandsteppedintothesi
tti
ng
room.Nosawast her
esl eepi
ngonthechair
.Shefrowned.Thi
swast hefi
rstt
imein18y ears
Nosawoul dsleepoutsidethecomfor
tofthebed.

Fouremptycansofbeeront hestool.Herheartbegantorace.Whywoul dherhusbandleave

thebedtothechai
rift
herewasnopr obl
em.Gent l
y,shewokehim upandhel pedhimt ot
he
bedroom.Sheret
urnedtotheli
vi
ngr oom, pi
ckedhisphoneandpl aceditonthetabl
ebesidethe
bed.It
ohanwenttothebed,butitwaslongbef or
esleepcouldclaim heragai
n.Bydawn,Nosa
wokeherup.Hewasal r
eadydressed.Theyexchangedpl easant
ries.Thenhetoldherhewas
rushi
ngout.

"
Younordeygowor
k?"Sheaskedsi
tt
ingup.

"
Iwi
l
lgo.Iwantt
obr
ief
lyseeUy
i.I
t'
sur
gent
"

"
Okaybutegetwet
inIwant
ell
you.Thedr
eam weyIgetInol
i
keam atal
l
"

"
Enhenh!Wet
inbet
hedr
eam"

I
tohanheav
edasi
ghandsmi
l
ed

"
Sitdown"

Nosasatbesi
deheront
hebed.
"Idream seyasIenterr
oom t ocomemeety ou,youcomehi
deweti
ndeyyourhand.Youhide
yourt wohandsforyourback.Iaskyouseywet i
nyouhol
d,y
ousaynothi
ng.SoIpushyou,you
fall
andwet inyoudeyhidecomebepi ctur
e.ButyoucomedeyvexseywhyIpushyou.Icome
tel
ly ouseymakey ounov ex.Befor
eIknowy oucomedeybeatme.Younoall
owmeseewho
deyt hepict
ure"

Shesi
gheddeepl
yandkeptsi
l
ent

"
Thedr
eam donf
ini
sh?
"Heasked

"
Yes!
"

"
Nawet
iny
out
hinkseyt
hedr
eam mean"

"
Iwanasky
ouquest
ionNosa?
"

"
Goon!
"

"
Egetwet
iny
ouwant
ell
me?
"

"
Nooo!
"

"Nosa,Inobestranger
,Ibey
ourwife.Idonborntwochi
l
drenf
oryou.Inol
i
keasIseeyoufor
night
.Youleav
ebedgochai r
.Ifany
thingdeybothery
ou,l
etmeknow.Wegoputourhead
toget
herandsoluti
ongocomeout "

"
It
ohan!Inogetpr
obl
em f
orwor
kooh"
"
Egetwet
iny
oudeyhi
def
rom me?
"

"Weti
nIwanhidefrom y
ou.Abeg,
thatnaor
dinar
ydr
eam.Nowor
ryaboutme"Het
oldher
pecki
ngherf
orehead

Hest
oodupbutI
tohanwant
edhi
mtowai
tforbr
eakf
ast
.

"
IwanseeUy
ibef
oreIr
ushgowor
k"Het
oldher
.

Hehel
pedI
tohanupandki
ssedher
.Shet
ri
edt
ododgehi
smout
h.

"
Inev
erbr
ushna"

"
Ili
keam l
i
ket
hat
"Hesai
dandki
ssedhersof
tl
y.

Hebadehergoodby
eandl
eftt
hehouse.Heent
eredhi
scarbutdi
dn'
tdr
ivei
mmedi
atel
y.

"
Godhel
pme.Il
oveI
tohansomuchandIdon'
twantt
ohur
ther
.Hel
pmenott
obet
rayher
"

-
--
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--
--
--
--
--

Nosaparkedhiscarandcrossedtot
heothersideoftheroad.Uyi
wasstandinginfrontofhi
s
shopgi
vi
ngi nst
ruct
ionst
ohi ssal
esboy
s.Hewassur pr
isedtoseeNosathatearl
yinhisshop.
Heshookhandswi t
hhim andwelcomedhimt ohisshop.Hegavehim aseatinhisshop.

"
Ther
eisf
ir
eont
hemount
ain.Ni
col
eismaki
ngadv
ancesatmeandIdon'
tknowhowt
ohandl
e
i
t"Hesai
d.

"I
sthatsupposedtobeapr oblem?,I
fshei
ssti
ll
int
erest
ediny ou,gof
orher.Af
teral
lshehas
donesomuchf ory ou.Lookaty ouNosa,y
ouhavechanged.Youar el
ooki
nggood.Nicol
ehas
changedyourli
fe.Letmet ell
you,shehasbeenwait
ingforyou.Thatl
adyi
sweal t
hymakeher
yoursecondwife"

"
Aaah,
secondwi
feke?
"

"
Yes,secondwife.I
tohanwil
lnev
erknow.Ni
col
ehasbr
oughtv
aluabl
ethi
ngst
othet
abl
e?What
v
aluabl
ethingshasItohan.
..
"

"
Don'
ttal
kaboutI
tohanl
i
ket
hat
.If
orbi
dit
"

"
Alr
ight
!Iam sor
ry"

Nosakeptqui
et,
noddedhi
sheadandt
appedhi
sfeeti
ncessant
ly.

"Rel
axNosa.Getint
oherbed, eatherbodyandmoney .Keepyourmout hshut
.Ev enifI
tohan
event
uall
yknow,shewillsayanddonot hi
ngaboutit
.WithoutNicole'
smoney,youandI tohan
arenothi
ng.Youwil
lneverbeinthepositi
onyouare.Thehouse, car,
foodandclothesyouare
weari
ngareallNi
cole'
smoney "

Nosasai
dnot
hing.

"Ther
earelot
sofmenwit
hwivesout
side.Thei
rfi
rstwi
fedoesn'
tknow.Doy
ouknowwhet
herI
haveanot
herwif
eapar
tfr
om Mit
chel
lthatyouknow?"

Nosal
ookedathi
m wi
thr
aisedey
ebr
ows.Uy
ilaughed.
"
Nicol
eisbeaut
if
ulandweal
thy
"

"
It
ohani
sbeaut
if
ult
oo"

"Iknow,butl
ookatthemoneyNi
coleisl
avishi
ngonyou.Don'
tpret
endasifshedoesn'
texist
.
Don'tkeepherwai
ti
ngNosa.Not
hingiswrongifyoumakeheryoursecondwif
e.I
fIhavethis
kindofopport
uni
ty,
Iwon'
tneedanybody'
sadvice"

Nosast
oodupabr
upt
ly.

"
Arey
ougoi
ngal
ready
,ar
eyougoi
ngst
rai
ghtt
owor
k"

Uy
iescor
tedhi
mtohi
scarandwat
chhi
m dr
oveoutofhi
ssi
ght
.

"
Nosadoesn'
trecogni
zeoppor
tuni
tywhenheseesi
t"Heshookhi
sheadandsmi
l
ed.

I
nspi
redbyt
heHol
ySpi
ri
t

Wr
it
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ancaUwui
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en