Episode 1
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Ukwa ruo oge ya odaa
This has been his aged mother’s favorite adage but he didn’t understand what it meant until now. No, he understood its meaning but not why he should apply it to his life’s struggles.
He wanted everything he desired coming to him without delay. Why wait for the breadfruit to fall at its time when he could easily throw stones and sticks at it and make it heed. He never bought the idea his mother tried to pass with her hackneyed phrase, not even on her death bed where she looked him in the eyes and prophesied greatness if only he made the right choices in life. He buried her without funfair, his heart bleeding because he couldn’t send his precious mother to the land beyond with a befitting burial. He hadn’t even been able to care for her when she was alive. He had been a wasted birth, a failure, but not anymore.
Mama had been his only reason for staying back in this hellhole where he grew up for as long as he had. Being her only son with a father he knew nothing about, he had watched helplessly as she decayed even while alive, her Type 2 diabetes eating her slowly until she drew her last. Despite her illness, she had been hopeful, a euphoria he didn’t share with her.
They had lived in a suburb, the worst there ever was. It was a place rightly reserved for low lifes, beggars, urchins church rats and degenerates. Blighted with waste water that flowed directly from the big city, the area was perpetually swampy and oozing but no one complain or relocated. He had hated…no despised it here but for mama. She had seen only good in the place or maybe she had stayed owing to her lacks.
Taking one look at the thatched roof house with no windows or ventilation system, he shuddered at the reality of leaving under it for the past 20 years. Mama his anchor to this swamp mosquito infested village was no more, he saw no need to linger on, so he wrapped his only good pants and shirt in a black nylon bag and made his first move to freedom.
Episode 2
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Aku rue ulo amara onye kpara ya
The black tainted Mercedes-Benz 350 GLK sped on crazily, splashing mud water on pedestrians who cursed and swore at its oblivious driver. The high life beats omitting from the inside of the car could be heard feet’s away and the shadowy figure of a well dressed man could be seen nodding rhythmically to the music in the car. He was the sole occupant of the Jeep and he was on his way to a mega deal.
Life could not be any more better. But it was! He had a functional business that was waxing stronger by the day, houses and landed properties scattered within the state, a beautiful psychedelic wife who made heads turn at her every entrances and two lovely children. What more could a man ask for? He had it all and he was only 32.
He got to his destination, a high fenced compound with a single bungalow sitting idly on it. The gate swinged open at his honk and he drove in without hesitation.
“the boss, welcome sir.”
“Hope the package is well intact Tony?” He asked stepping out from the car.
“It’s confirm and sealed boss. This will be straight dealings. I foresee no delays.” Tony answered affirmatively, his beady eyes flashing.
Tony his second in command was good at what he does. Bright and efficient, Tony made business easier. He had taken him into his wings only three years ago, made him boss over his other proteges and have never regretted his action. He had started like Tony some thirteen years ago under a stricter kingpin who in turn made him what he was now. He could envision a brighter future for Tony, if only he too would be patient just like he had been.
They got into the house them with Tony still giving him details of how the package had been handled.
“…we got in just in time and left as easily.” Tony explained triumphantly.
“I never doubted your finesse.” He said smiling.
“Thanks boss.” Tony responded with a small bow.
True to Tony’s prediction, the transaction was settled two days later. The fastest they have ever had since he ventured into the business. He was now millions richer and he wasted no time appeasing every necessary gods. He had learnt that delay was more than dangerous in his line of business. His success so far has been because he never took those in his shadow for granted. They held so much power over him and his business. And he would be a fool if he ever thought of playing a fast one on them. They knew too much and a single action from them would spell his down fall.
He wasn’t worried about them anyways, their greeds and wet appetite for the good life led them on like a dog on leash.
His fears however was on his wife. She was burning money as fast as he was making it and this was gradually causing him aches. He had married her five years ago after he had hit jackpot. She had been a spender, extravagant and classy and he had seen no harm in her ways until now. He wasn’t complaining though, his sole reason for making money was so it could be spent!
He had enough of it now at his disposal, never again will he be poverty trapped. He had escape that life after thirteen years of intense struggle and he would return to it only over his dead body.
By Judith Oraka.
