*EPISODE 21*
((CHANGE OF RULES))
Adekunle Lawan was sleeping when a call came in from an unknown number.
“Hello,” He reluctantly said as soon as he picked up the call. “Who am I speaking with?.” He asked.
“It’s Kunle sir,” Kunle said.
“Kunle?. Hey, why are you calling me by this time of the night with a different number?. I hope all is well?.” Adekunle Lawan asked.
“All is not well sir,” Kunle said.
“Why?. What happened?.” Adekunle Lawan asked.
“Sir, there’s something I would like to share with you. Something related to the death of your son,” Kunle said.
Hearing this, Adekunle Lawan quickly sat upright.
“Speak on. I’m listening.” He said.
“I’m sorry but, I don’t think it’s what we can discuss over the phone. Why don’t we meet?.” Kunle suggested.
“This night?.” Adekunle Lawan asked.
“Yes sir. This night. Like right now.” Kunle said.
“Why?. Won’t it be best if you come to my house instead?.” Adekunle Lawan asked.
“No sir. You don’t understand. There are people who are trying to silence me. They don’t want me to reveal the truth to you. So coming to your place will not be a good idea right now. Because some of your men secretly work as informants for these people.” Kunle said.
“Some of my men work as informants?.” Adekunle Lawan asked.
“Yes sir,” Kunle replied.
“For who exactly?.” Adekunle Lawan asked.
“For the same people who killed Gerald sir. So it’s best we meet tonight. Because I have something very important to share with you.” Kunle said.
“Okay, so where exactly are you?.” Adekunle Lawan asked.
“At the junction that leads to your house. And it will be best if you come alone to avoid putting me into further trouble. And please hurry up.” Kunle said.
“Okay. I will be there in a jiffy.” Adekunle Lawan said hastily getting out of his bed.
He quickly stepped outside and got into one of his cars. He quickly started his car engine and drove out of his compound without the company of any of his guards.
When he arrived at the said location, he stopped his car engine and dialed Kunle’s number. Kunle then came out from where he was hiding and quickly entered Adenkule Lawan’s car.
“I’m sorry for troubling you, sir.” Kunle apologized.
“It’s okay. Just go straight to the point. What exactly were you saying over the phone?.” Adekunle Lawan asked with curiosity and impatience.
“Like I said, I have something to show you,” Kunle said dipping his hand into his right pocket.
But rather than bringing out something important like he said, he brought out a drugged white handkerchief which he speedily used to cover Adekunle Lawan’s nose.
And after much struggle, Adekunle Lawan dozed off. Kunle quickly put him on the passenger seat after which, he took over the steering and drove him away.
A few moments later, Adekunle Lawan regained consciousness. He gradually opened his eyes only to discover himself tied to a wooden seat. His mouth was taped, his two hands were tied behind his back, and his legs were tied as well. He tried moving but he could not.
There were no lights in that vicinity but he was slightly able to see and recognize things because of the moonlight.
Gradually, he used his eyes to scan through the environment then he realized that he was in a junkyard. Judging from the numerous old cars he saw around the vicinity.
Just as he was still trying to figure out what was going on and where he was, he saw a familiar figure walking towards him with a cigarette in his hand.
He kept staring at the individual as he walked closer to him. Then as he finally stood before him, Adekunle Lawan recognized him to be none other person but Chief Afolabi. Taking a proper look at him, he could see him holding a gun in his right hand and a cigarette in his left hand.
“You are finally awake.” Chief Afolabi said scoffing as he blew out puffed out smoke from his mouth and nostrils.
“This suddenly reminds me of those days when I use to capture and torture men for you in this same manner. I really can’t believe that I actually did a lot of dirty and shameful stuff for you.” He scoffed and shook his head.
After that, he pulled out a wooden seat for himself and sat In it facing Adekunle Lawan with his legs crossed, his cigarette in his mouth, and his gun in his left hand.
Looking at Adekunle Lawan, Chief Afolabi smoked more cigarettes and puffed the smoke in Adekunle Lawan’s face.
“It’s sad that you saw how desperate I was to make money and then you took advantage of it. And turned me into an Instrument of destruction. Thinking about it now, I really can’t believe I lived under your grace and mercy worshiping you like you were my lord and savior. My service and loyalty to you made me neglect my family. I was unable to be a good husband to my late wife and a good father to my daughter. And that’s because I was always busy being around you doing everything at your beck and call. You trained me to become a strong-hearted beast without human sympathy. You took away humanity from me and gave me power and affluence. The day I realized that I had totally lost my humanity was the day I killed my wife with my own hands.” He paused and smoked more cigarettes. Then he continued. “Killing my wife was the height of it all. I didn’t know how and when I did it. But after that act, I couldn’t bring myself to face my daughter. I felt so ashamed and guilty that I kept running away from home to avoid seeing her. What a poor child. She lost both of her parents the day I committed that atrocity. Cause the day my wife died in my hands, was the day I lost my conscience, human sympathy, and emotions. I tried making up for my mistakes by becoming a good father to my daughter. But do you know what?.” He chuckled.
“I was never able to become a good father to her. From that day till the day she died. I don’t know why you took her away from me when you know that she was the only priceless gift I have. She was the reason why I still have some little sense of compassion left in me. She was my source of hope and strength. She was my world. Losing her is hurtful but what is more hurtful, is knowing that I will never get the chance to tell, or prove to her that I love her and that she means a lot to me. And that’s one more reason why I despise you and can’t stand seeing you alive.” He said smoking more cigarettes.
“I used to think that I can’t do without my acquisitions. I thought my wealth and business was my life. But it was strange how relaxed I was with you taking my money. But when I lost my daughter, it then dawned on me that she was my greatest asset. So the worst mistake you have made in your entire life was taking away the life of my daughter who meant a lot to me.” He fumed with tears in his eyes and pains in his heart.
He stood up and took a few steps away from Adekunle Lawan with his face lifted to the sky, he kept trying so hard to control his pains.
Just then, he heard Adekunle Lawan mumbling and shaking his head as if he had something to tell him.
But that provoked him the more.
“Meeting you has brought nothing but misery to my life. I curse the day our paths crossed. And when you go to the afterworld, tell the devil that I sent you there.” He said throwing his cigarette to the ground.
And without hesitation, he pulled the trigger and shot Adekunle Lawan to death.
Immediately after he shot Adekunle Lawan, he heard police sirens approaching the vicinity. He was about to flee when their cars trooped in with their lights pointing directly at him.
He then tried to escape using the other route. But unfortunately, he then discovered that he had been surrounded by police.
At this point, he knew he was left with no choice but to drop his gun and surrender himself to the police.
Two policemen walked up to him. One of them picked up his gun from the ground. After which, he checked to see if Adekunle Lawan was still breathing while the other showed him an arrest warrant.
“Chief Afolabi. You are under arrest for the murder of late Mr. and Mrs. Ade Akinwale, late Mr. and Mrs. Shegun Adesola, and your wife late Mrs. Funmi Afolabi 18 years ago. And also, for the death of Adekunle Lawan whom you just murdered. These and lots more charges have been made against you with all the evidence presented to us. So, you have the right to remain silent. Cause anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to a lawyer. And If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you.” He said bringing out a handcuff.
“What do you mean by these and lots more charges have been made against me with all the evidence presented to you?. Who made such charges against me in the first place?.” Chief Afolabi asked totally confused. Cause he knew for sure that the incident from 18 years ago was only known to him and Adekunle Lawan.
“We did,” Bayo responded from the back.
Hearing his voice, Chief Afolabi turned immediately and was surprised to see Oye and his presumed dead daughter Abeni walking up to him with Bayo.
“Abeni?. You are…..?.” He asked pointing at her in utter confusion and disbelief.
“Yes, father. I’m still alive.” She said folding her arms with a smile on her lips.
“And so am I,” Oye added with a broad smile.
“How?.” Chief Afolabi asked completely lost for words.
Bayo then walked up to him and leaned in whispering into his ear.
“We simply changed the rules of the game when it seemed like we won’t be able to win against you and your evil cohorts.” He said with a mischievous grin.
“So you all were on this together?.” He asked still trying to process everything.
Bayo still leaned in and whispered into his ear.
“Yes, Chief. As a matter of fact, Adekunle Lawan and Gerald were both innocent. We planned everything from start to finish. And it was all thanks to your teachings, that we were able to come this far. You thought we will let you get away with the crime of killing our parents?. Or, I’m sure you thought we will never find out about your dirty deeds and stinking secrets. But no chief. We found out everything and that’s how we planned all these. And thankfully, it all worked out. So i’m hereby, wishing you a happy stay in jail. After we must have met in court. It was nice playing this game with you. Mr. Afolabi” Bayo said with an annoying smile.
But as he turned to go, Chief Afolabi quickly snatched his gun from the policeman out of anger and was about to shoot Bayo from behind.
Abeni saw this and quickly pushed Bayo out of the way. But unfortunately, Chief Afolabi pulled the trigger and Abeni got shot instead.
Immediately Chief Afolabi realized that it was his daughter who got shot instead of Bayo, he hastily threw the gun to the ground with his hands shaking in shock and disbelief.
“What have I done?.” He muttered to himself in disbelief.
“Abeni……!.” Bayo shouted.
He quickly rushed up to Abeni whose eyes were beginning to dim in pain as she struggled to mutter a word.
