valentine

[valentine]

Episode 6

Expulsion by oneself is unheard of. That did not only drive Danny crazy when he heard it from his friend but also rendered him speechless. Already, Stanley had gathered his luggage and left the room scattered just like a teenage room.
“This is crazy” Danny ran after him and met him at the staircase. “Bro, you can’t leave! This is your final grade in school!”
Stanley said nothing until both came out from the hostel. “Bye Danny” he said moving forward while Danny stood at a spot with hands on the waist looking at him until he left the school compound. How can a man abandon his academic life because of a girl? He couldn’t believe it. Before he came out from that thought, Tercy arrived like a spy standing beside him. She wore a bomshort over a pinky top.

“Where is he going?”
“He’s leaving”
“Why?”
“Because Rita has left too”
“I guess I shouldn’t have done it”
“Done what?” Danny looked at her.
“I was the one who reported both of them to Mr Ruben”
“What!” he shrieked surprisingly.
“I’m sorry, I never knew it is this serious to the extent Stanley would leave school because of her. I mean, I love him too, right? I couldn’t just stand both of them while I die in silence” Tercy explained sincerely.
“Well, you’ve ruined their lives. Thanks to you” Danny walked out from her. Truly, she was sorry for her actions, jealousy took the best part of her. But the deed had been done.
:
Rita arrived home with her bag. She had a sad expression on her face which suddenly began to generate tears from her eyes. Already, Eastwood had called to tell the parents about her expulsion. Therefore the mother stood at the door waiting for her daughter. She understood the emotional torture the young girl was passing through that’s why she waited for her wearing a red loose gown. When Rita approached closer, she embraced her in tears too.

“Mother, does it mean I won’t have a normal relationship like normal human beings? Isn’t it better I die?”
“No, my child,” the mother began to cares her cheek as the tears rolled from both eyes. “Dying is not an option. Come inside”
They embraced each other again before entering inside to meet Mr Hocain himself. He faced the wall with two hands behind him in a way he backed both the wife and the daughter. The sitting room suddenly turned dark and candle light appeared on the walls. Thunder stroke the roof of the building, Rita fell down on the floor and became unconscious before the father turned.
“What have you done to her?” the wife asked him.
“I did what should be done. Take her to her room. Never will any man come close to her again” he replied.
“You banned her again?”
“Yes, even this house. I don’t want to see Latisha here too” he concluded then looked through the window while the wife carried Rita into her room.
:
On the other hand, Stanley arrived home just to meet her parents eating lunch in the dinning room where classic and breakable plates could be seen on the table. They were surprise to see him entering the house with his full luggage. Mrs Jessica, the mothe,r looked at the husband, Mr Winston, in a way that shows: ARE YOU SEEING THIS?
Before Stanley made it to his room, the father stood up with the wife. He had an eyeglasses on his eyes and dressed in a brown suit. The wife was on a milky gown.
“Stanley, are you on holiday?” the father asked.
“No, dad” he replied without even a gesture at them as he struggled with his luggage at the door of his room.
“Then why are you back, son?”
“I have been expelled”
“Expelled?” Mrs Jessica amazingly looked at the husband again then turned to her son. “Who expelled you and why? We have not received such information from the school”
“I never said the school expelled me, mum. I expelled myself by myself” he finally dragged the luggage inside and locked the door before his parents approached.
“Have you heard of that? How can someone expel himself from a school?”
“Stanley, open this door!” the father banged on the door.
How would they had known that their only son was swimming in the pools of love? Instantly, Mr Winston called Eastwood Academy to know what was going on. They narrated the story to him in a nutshell then he hung up the call.
For five good days, Stanley neither came out from his room nor ate something. That got the parents worried then they summoned Latisha, the grandmother. All stood in the sitting room gazing at one another. Only Latisha appeared different: she was always on a robe. This time around she had a staff in her hand. Already, they have told her about Stanley refusal to eat or come out from the room.

“I guess the Hocains has charmed my son” Mrs Jessica added.
“Nobody charmed him” Latisha began. “The young boy is in love. He’s only trying to be with the one he loves. He came to my house with his girlfriend after which I made a research and found out she’s the woman meant for him. Nothing nobody can do about that”
“Then why can’t he be allowed to be with the girl?” Mrs Jessica asked.
“Because the girl is cursed and must not be with a man otherwise she’ll turn dark and kill him”
“Oh my God!” she rushed to Stanley’s door and began to bang on it for him to open.
“Allow me” Latisha approached with her staff, hit
it on the doorknob and it opened. To their greatest surprise, Stanley was nowhere to be found, so all gaze at one another again.
:
Meanwhile, Rita had also been inside her room walking tro and fro in a bumshort. She was at the peak of committing another murder if care is not taken. She remembered the ones she killed on her final year in secondary school then began to shed tears. That was a memory she’ll never forget, so she began to scatter the room breaking mirrors and appliances until she got satisfied and laid on the floor crying .
Suddenly, Stanley appeared from the hallow gate through which one can enter into the house of the Hocain. He started runing but since the house had been banned by Mr Hocain, he never reached the doorstep of the building. Though he could see it as he ran but never reached there. Suddenly, a strong wind activated a tornado which struck him down, engulfed his throat to strangle him. “Rita!!” he exclaimed in a high voice.
Hearing that, Rita stood up from the floor coz the voice sounded familiar. “Stanley?” she called gently.
“Rita!!” the voice came again.
“Stanley!” she rushed out downstairs, opened the door to see him struggling for his life then rubbed her two palms together. When she opened them, the tornado disappeared, thus, setting him free. That did not only break the banned to the house but also to her body. “Stanley!” she began to run to him.
“Rita!” he also stood up running to her until they met and hugged each other.
“Sorry, my father banned the house that’s why you.. ”
“Forget it, I’m happy that I’m with you now” he interrupted trying to kiss her but Mr Hocain and wife appeared at the doorstep thereby causing another wind and darkness of the sky.
“Don’t you dare get your filthy lips on my daughter’s otherwise face your death sooner than you expect it” Mr Hocain barked angrily then the lovers turned to them.
“You will do no such thing to my grandson!” Latisha’s voice came from the gate then the lovers also turned to see her standing with Mr and Mrs Winston, Stanley’s parents.
“Granny?” Stanley murmured.

Silence took over the arena as the two families glared at each other with their children in between them. The wind stopped and the sky brightened again. Weathered leaves continued falling from trees as Latisha unabashedly walked to the Hocains with Mr and Mrs Winston without saying anything to the two lovers who looked at each other romantically.
“Have you seen how they are looking at each other? So the earlier we look for a solution, the better for us” Latisha broke the silence before they all went inside the house except the two lovers.
Inside the house, no one agreed to sit down. The two families folded their hands looking at one another. Stanley’s parents could see strange images on the walls and other magical symbols. That alone convinced them the type of family they have come in contact with.

“Alright, I have had enough of this tranquility” Mr Winston broke the silence. “Obviously, our children are inseparable due to some destiny, curse or whatsoever! All I need now is a solution coz my son is losing his mind over this young girl , and I can’t watch him die by the same girl”
“There is nothing that can be done about it” Mrs Lena said.
“Are you saying the curse cannot be broken?” Mrs Jessica asked.
“Yes, it has been in existence right from time. The last time we tried to break it using any magical book, we would have ended up losing her life” Mr Hocain explained.
“So, there is nothing that can be done, right?” Mr Winston turned angrily .
“The only way is to separate them before the next six days”
Silence took over again in the very sanctum. All expected Latisha to say something but she never did.
“I have a suggestion” Mrs Lena said. “What if we erase the memory of the boy so that he won’t know who Rita is or have any feelings for her again?”
The suggestion sounded interesting in the ears of all, so they walked to the door, opened it to call on the two lovers but there were nowhere to be found again..
:
TO BE CONTINUED

Episode 7

Mrs Jessica and Lena had to go outside totally to see if their children would be found but the result proved negative. Just as they were returning to others at the door, Latisha said, “Can I have a word with you Mr Hocain?” she moved inside. The black eyeglasses never departed from her eyes and the Hocains never knew she was blind. Others also drew closer to know what the old woman had to say.
“Mr and Mrs Hocain” she began. “Explain to me why both of you were able to get married. Or wasn’t the curse applicable to you too?”
That was a very interesting topic which attracted the attention of all in the room.
“I can explain” Mr Hocain began. “Right from the time of my ancestors, it only attack the female children. That’s why I was able to get married out of love”
“That’s to say your wife doesn’t have powers like you do”
“Exactly, I am the only descendant of Hocain” He clarified.
“So, how are we gonna erase Stanley’s memories without him knowing?” Mrs Lena changed the topic.
“I guess Rita will do it herself. I will make sure of that. No one should tell him about this” the husband replied while others agreed except Latisha who walked out without a word.
:
Stanley and Rita rested at the base of a tall tree inside the woods (forest) in a way she laid her head on his thighs looking into his eyes. Trees of different species could be seen dropping weathered leaves. Many fresh canopy leaves partially prevented the ray of sunlight to the ground but one could be seen shining directly to the two lovers. Though the intensity of the light sometimes reduced due to shaky leaves that covers the source of the radiation.
“I can’t believe you left school because of me” Rita said. “Don’t you think people might say I charmed you?” she added.
“What people say doesn’t matter. What matters is that I love you” he replied sliding her hair sideways.
“You are so amazing”
“You are much more amazing” they smiled at each other while Stanley lowered his head and gave her a quick kiss, thus generating silence. They heard nothing but the sound of wind. Stanley placed a hand on her stomach then rubbed it gently. She placed her own hand on the hand in a way their fingers crossed in between each one. She kissed and placed them on her chest.
“I have six days left to turn dark”
“I don’t care”
“Stanley, I don’t want anything to happen to you. I will rather kill myself than to watch you die” she paused and took a deep breath. “If I turn dark and have you killed, I’ll kill myself afterward. Do you want me to die?”
“No, nothing gonna happen to you” he replied.
“We need to depart from each other”
“But it’s so difficult!” he looked up in the sky blinking his eyes . “You don’t get it, I can’t stay away from you more than I am now”
Rita gently brought down his head, placed his hand on her b****t then kissed him. She knew it was difficult, she knew it was impossible, but she made up her mind never to see him again after that day. Though she never told him.
:
A day passed, Mr and Mrs Winston opened Stanley’s door to see him drawing Rita’s image as he laid face down on the bed wearing a short and a singlet. The room was small but filled with lovely and classic stuffes like a Golden boot which he won from high school days. It was a moment he will never forget coz it made his parents proud. He was very skillful in football game which won him the golden boot. He was not only loved by students but tutors too. He wanted to be an actor, that was why he didn’t pursue the dream of becoming a footballer rather enrolled in a movie academy.
Nevertheless, he looked up to see his parents staring at him then concentrated on the drawing.
“Son, who’s that you’re drawing?” the mother asked.
“It’s Rita, mum. Isn’t she beautiful?” he smiled showing her the image vividly while the father exhaled heavily, shook his head and went out. Mrs Jessica, having the motherly love in her totally entered inside, closed the door and sat down opposite the bed.
“She’s very beautiful, son” she smiled back.

Stanley sat up in a way he faced his mother. “I love her so much mum” he began with dropping tears. “What I don’t understand is why we can’t be together. She mean the whole world to me, I mean.. ” he sniffed in then raised his head up. “I mean, why must I die in the quest of loving her. It’s so painful, mum. Please, help us in any way you can and break the curse. Please, I beg you, mum”
The mother didn’t know when tears fell off from her eyes. She could feel the gravity of the emotional situation and understood very well how much the son loves Rita. What could she do? Nothing, therefore, she hugged him tightly rubbing her hand on his back. That was the only thing she could do at the moment. As time went on, she began to have a change of mind of not erasing her son’s memory because that’s the worst thing that can ever happen to anybody in that situation seeing how in love he was. Sonner did the husband also understand, yet, they couldn’t do anything.
Meanwhile, Rita had been told to erase the memory of the one she loves in order to save him. She concord with the idea not because her parents wanted to but because she wanted Stanley to live.
Just a day before she would turn dark, she took Stanley back to the woods playing loves happily with him as if it would forever remain like that. She suddenly held his two hands looking into his eyes.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Stanley asked smiling.
“Nothing, I just wonna ask you few questions” she factitiously smiled back.
“Okay, shoot it?”
She drew closer to him in a way her body touched his. “When is your birthday?”
“17th December”
“And what would you wish for when blowing off your candle-light?”
He smiled. “I have always wanted a falling snow with melody music when I’m with the girl I love”
Rita kissed him. “I love you, Stanley, and let your wish be granted” she soliloquised with closed eyes. Instantly, snow began to fall alongside with melody music from nowhere.
He became surprised feeling the moment like no other. “What would I have done without you” he embraced her.
Magically, Rita used that opportunity to erase part of his memory that has to do with her.
*******
Stanley woke up the next day feeling a slight headache. He looked at himself on the mirror, dressed up then went out to the dinning room where his parents waited for him. He greeted them and opened a big refrigerator to pick up some juice.
“I guess you are ready to go back to school, son” the father said.
“Sure, I don’t even know why I came back at the first place” he replied taking a seat beside the mother.
The parents looked at each other then kept quiet. The mother wanted to become emotional feeling the pains of forgetting everything about someone you love unconditionally. When Stanley noticed it, he asked, “What? Why are you both mute ?”
“Nothing, we’re just happy you came back to see us?” the father replied.
“That’s no big deal” he smiled at them. “I’m happy to see you guys too” he added and bit a slice of bread. “I’ll see grandma on my way back to school”
“Good idea” the mother concluded.
:
At the resident of Latisha, Rita could be seen coming out of it wearing a jean trouser and a black voluminous jacket. She had gone to tell Latisha about how she had planned to travel out of the state. As she walked through the lonely road leading to the exit, he sighted Stanley coming. He wore a shortleeves shirt which he tucked in-in a plain trouser. On his face was a pere of transparent eyeglasses that reflected any ray of sunlight. They drew closer.
“Hi” Stanley said looking at her and at the same time passing without any interest on her.
“Hi” she replied walking without looking back too, but when Stanley entered into the house, she looked back with tears in her eyes. That was the last time she would set her eyes on him coz she was traveling out of the state.
Stanley met the grandmother on the dinning table then greeted her happily.
“How are you feeling my boy?” she asked handling a cup of tea to him.
“I’m fine, granny, and I don’t wonna drink your tea”
“And you think I gonna beg you? In your dreams” she said jokingly and they laughed before tranquility took over. Latisha read his mind at that moment, she noticed that he must have seen Rita on his way coming and would ask about her, so she got ready for the question.
“Granny,” Stanley began. “I saw a girl coming out from here. Who’s she?”
“Oh, she’s just a girl that came to tell me she’s travelling” Latisha replied then drank her tea.
“Okay, and I have come to tell you too that I’m going back to school” he stood up and pegged her. “Bye granny!” he walked out.
“Bye my son” she replied sadly and silently.
Danny was the first to see Stanley coming through the gate of Eastwood, so he ran to him immediately looking excited. “I’m so happy to see you bro!”
“Me too, dude” they shook hands.
“So, what about Rita?”
“Who is Rita? Is like you’ve smoked weed this morning, right?” he ignored him walking towards the male hostel while Danny became dumbfounded staring at him.
Tercy also met Stanley on the way and said, “Stanley, please, can I talk to you?”
“Sure, how are you, Tercy?” he smiled.
“Fine, I just want you to forgive me”
“About what?”
“About reporting you and Rita”
“Rita again? Who’s she?” he smiled. “What’s wrong with you and Danny?” he left her dumbfounded too….
:
TO BE CONTINUED

[valentine]

Episode 4

The rain freely poured on the students who were watching the drama until they began to depart one by one. The droplets of the rain could be seen on the faces of Rita and Stanley after they had quit the kiss. Just then, Rita realized the consequences of what would happen if they should continue emotionally, so she began to withdraw back from him but he never left her hand.

“Please, don’t go any further from me” he told her.
“No, I have to, Stanley. I don’t want anything to happen to you” she replied.
Both became quiet for a while still with their hands clutched together. Suddenly, the rain stopped. Stanley looked up in the sky, looked behind to see Mr Ruben’s car and said to Rita, “Come on, follow me! ” he began to drag her.
“Hey, where are you taking me to?” she asked aloud without getting a reply as both ran to the car. To her surprise, Stanley opened the drive’s door, entered, pulled out two red and black wires under the steering wheel then joined them together. Immediately, the car kicked off. Rita couldn’t believe it neither did she know what was happening until Stanley shouted at her saying, “Enter!!”
She quickly hopped in and they drove out from the school compound before securities got to notice what happened. Seeing all that, Mr Ruben entered into his office, sat down, and picked up a ringing telephone that was on the table.
“Yes? speak?”
“Sir, we’re sorry. We couldn’t get to hold the two students but we wonna involved the police” a security agent said on the telephone.
“No, let them be. They gonna come back”
“Okay, sir” the line went off.
Mr Ruben didn’t know why he was so free with Stanley and Rita after they caused a scene in the school, drove out with his car and put the school day activity in jeopardy. “God!”he exclaimed.
:
Stanley pulled the car to a stop at the entrance of an old building. Beside them were tall dry trees and shrubs looking reddish in colour. Rita looked at him inside the car.
“Where are we?”
“We’re at home?”
“Whose home?”
“My home” Stanley stepped out while she also did reluctantly looking at the bushy environment. No other house could be found there except the one standing few meters from them.
“We gonna leave the car here, grandma doesn’t like the sound of cars” he added walking with her.
“You live with your grandma?” Rita asked.
“No, but I visit her often. Be careful, she may be blind but very wise and sensitive. Sometimes I wonder if she just pretends to be blind due to how observant she is” he looked at her then both giggled at the statement.

Rita grabbed his arm with two hands in a way she rested her head there as the locomotion continued. “So, why did you bring me here?” she asked.
“I promised my granny that she would be the first person to see my girlfriend before my parents”
“Really?” Rita looked up at him with a face filled with joy. “Mhen, I can’t wait to see her” she giggled alongside with him.
They finally entered into the house to find it more attractive than the exterior. It was totally empty. Only a white piano-stand could be seen at a corner and an old woman playing melody with it. That was the grandmother. She wore a white robe with black eyeglasses backing the two lovers who believed that she had not noticed their presence. Therefore, Stanley began tiptoe in order to scare her but before he could to her, she stopped playing the piano and said, “No need of doing that coz I have seen you already”
Stanley gave up then looked at Rita who smiled at him. He turned to the grandmother. “Granny, how did you see me?”
She left the piano-stand walking straight to him without any form of support like a stick, if not as an old woman, as a blind woman, but she wasn’t with such thing to tell you the level of familiarity she has gotten with the environment. “I don’t need eyes to see you, Stanley. There are other organs for sight such as the heart. I see with my heart, young man” she replied hogging him in a way she placed her ear on his chest.
“I’m happy to see you, granny”
“I’m happy to see you too my child” she disengaged from him then looked straight at Rita. “Who is she?” she asked boldly.
“Who is who?” Stanley wanted to whined her the more with a smiling face.
“Stop messing around with me, Stanley. Of course I know you can with a woman”
“How?”
“I heard it from your heartbeat”

Already, Rita had fallen in love with the wise old blind woman. She couldn’t help it but to keep smiling all these while the conversation went on. With the joy in her, she briskly walked to her then embrace her.
“Whoa, she’s even more friendly than I thought” the woman reciprocated the hug.
“Granny, she’s Rita Hocain, my girlfriend. I came to fulfil my promise” Stanley introduce.
“Hocain?” she repeated strangely.
“Yes, Hocain” Stanley waited to see her reactions but didn’t see anything. After a series of tranquility, the woman said to Rita, “Welcome dear, join me in the dinning table” she led the way while the two lovers followed her..
****
At the residence of Mr Hocain, the building was also located at a lonely forest with one way entrance that has a hallow gate. Dead grasses could be seen from the entrance to the doorstep, even on top of the roof. Singing birds could also be heard from the lonely forest. Inside the house, Mr Hocain vibrated in anger with his wife, Lena. Both stood in the living room arguing while the television was broadcasting. They had felt the power Rita used to break the banned which was the reason of their anger and vibration.
“Your daughter wants to commit another murder!” he began glaring at his wife. “She has succeeded in breaking the banned we used as a way to keep her away from affection and love by any man”
“Then we must do something!” the wife said in a woozy manner. “What are we gonna do now?” she added.
Before any further reply, they heard the sound of a ringing telephone which was just beside the wife, so she picked it instantly. After communicating with the caller, she gazed at the husband.
“What? who called?”
“The call is from Eastwood. They said Rita isn’t in school”
“Where the heck could she be?” the husband asked.
***
The dinning went very well at the residence of Stanley’s grandmother. Stanley took Rita to his room where he was staying when living with the grandmother. Both entered inside to see a bed and some toys that made up a typical teenage room.
“This was my room” he made her sit on the edge of the bed. “I’m surprise granny still has it maintained” he also sat beside her.
“Stanley, I’m scared” Rita said.
“For what? Because you gonna turn dark and kill me all because I love you?”
“I have fifteen days to disconnect any feelings that we both share otherwise I’ll turn dark and.. and.. ” she paused looking into his eyes.
“Even if it means to die, I’m ready coz I can’t stop loving you, Rita. I feel as if we’ve known each other before now. Please, I don’t wonna miss your presence”
“I feel the same too”

They gazed at each other romantically then gradually kissed. It became so intense that they began to off each other’s cloths. Rita could be seen on only a bra and pant as Stanley carried her to the inner part of the bed, kissed and romanced her until he succeeded in putting off both the bra and pant. One could see her b****t standing erect and the n*****s longing for a s**k. Sooner did he start s*****g them and at the same time found his d**k into her v****a.
“Aaahh” she moaned in pleasure with increase in heartbeat. She engulfed him with her hands bouncing inline with the movement of the bed..
The romantic s*x ended pleasurably after which they laid on the bed with their body covered.
“Why were you cursed?” Stanley broke the silence.
“According to my parents, it had been from the onset. My ancestors experienced the said thing. Nobody has the true information about the source” she replied.
“Can’t it be broken?”
“No”
They remained silent again before Rita spoke up, “My parents must have noticed that I have broken the banned. Please, let’s go back to school” she stood up n***d dressing up.

When they got ready to leave, Stanley searched for his grandma but couldn’t find her anymore. That was strange. He shouted her name around the compound but all to no avail. Without wasting time, the two lovers drove out.
“I wonder where she is” Stanley said inside the car.
“Maybe she has gone to visit the neighbors” Rita smiled.
“My grandma has no neighbors and she hate associating with people”
“That’s strange” Rita thought critically then waved it off.
They drove straight to Eastwood but to their greatest surprise, Mr Hocain had arrived there already and Stanley parked the car before his. When Rita saw him, fear grip her.
“What?” Stanley asked her.
“That is my father”
“Really?” Stanley looked at him again to see that he wasn’t happy.
Already, students had started watching them while Mr Ruben was on his way to the place because he knew something terrible might happen. Sooner did Stanley see Mr Hocain angrily approaching to the car.
“You need to run away” Rita told him.
“To where?” before he concluded, the four doors of the car opened magically controlled by Mr Hocain invisibly. Immediately Stanley came out, he stretched his hand and he landed on the floor struggling with an unseen hand which wanted to strangle him to death.
Seeing that, Rita rushed out. “Let him go, father!” she shouted but a slap from him sent her to the ground too. Meanwhile, Stanley had started giving up the ghost in him. Blood could be seen running from his nose and mouth . Rita stood up with anger then envoked a power which did not only released Stanley but catapulted the father to his car in a way he hit his waist hardly on it then the car alarm activated. Just then, Mr Ruben arrived.
“Stop this nonsense! This is not a magical school but a movie academy!” he said breathing hastily.
“But I guess they are acting movie which someone’s life wiill be taken at the end because he’s so blinded by love and can’t reason with his senses” Danny’s voice came from behind.
“What does that mean?” Mr Ruben turned to him…
:
TO BE CONTINUED

Episode 5

Danny ignored Mr Ruben’s inquisition then rushed to help his friend up from the ground which Rita was already doing, but when he got there, he pushed her away saying, “Get away from him!”
Rita nearly fell down if not that she withstood the pushing force. She looked at her father whom Mr Ruben tried to calm down. She felt remusful about her action which could be termed ‘disrespect’. Though she had no choice but to save Stanley’s life from the father’s magically power. She briskly walked to him like a child who was caught stealing a meat from a cooking pot.
“I want that boy, whosoever he is to stay away from my daughter!” Mr Hocain broke in anger. “I don’t want him anywhere with her or this school gonna close down! I have been warned by the government that if she should commit another murder, I and my family gonna face the full wrath of law. So, Mr lecturer.. ”
“It’s Mr Ruben” he interrupted.
“I don’t care! All I want you and the school management to do is to make sure this boy is never seen with my daughter again!”
“I’m sorry, father” Rita interfered twisting her fingers but he never replied her. He angrily went back into his car then drove off. Before the gateman could open the gate, he saw it opening by itself-that was Mr Hocain magically controlling it from the car. Seeing that, the poor gateman ran for his dear life.

Mr Ruben didn’t understand what Hocain tried to substantiate, so he looked at Rita and Stanley who have regained himself standing beside Danny. “Both of you, to my office now!” he commanded.
Security agents that arrived to the scene had to hold the two students as all headed to the office. After series of explanation, Mr Ruben understood what Mr Hocain substantiated, therefore, he looked at the two students again who sat opposite him, “Rita,” he called. “if any person should see you with Stanley again, you’ll be expelled from this school. Have I made myself clear?”
Rita glanced at Stanley, bent her head down before nodding it in agreement.
“Speak! Have I made myself clear!?” he repeated hitting his hand on the table.
Rita raised her head up with tears rolling from her eyes. “Yes sir, I’ve heard you. Never will anybody see me with him again” she responded with a quivering lips .
:
For the past three days, no one ever saw the both students together again in school. They should have understood that they were destined to be together and can’t stay any further apart from each other regardless the curse or any consequences it would bring. Danny was yet to understand that when he woke up at night to see Stanley not only standing by the window but shedding tears too.
The tears of a grown man has a strong and remarkable reason which must be out of control. It is far more than the tears of the gods.
Danny gently touched him. “You amaze me bro. There are several girls here in school and in the whole world at large, but here you are shedding tears for only one who is not even a Christian. Tercy loves you, why are you so blind to see that”
“To hell with any love from any other girl!” Stanly shrieked as he turned from the window. “You don’t get It, Danny. I can’t stay a moment without Rita. Is like I have known her for years, like my soul is attached to hers, like there is a force that pushes me to her every minutes of the day”
“That must be an evil force, yes, you must stay away from her. She’s evil!”
“Then let me be part of the evil because I love her and there is nothing, I repeat, nothing, absolutely nothing or anybody, not even her parents can do about that” he concluded and went back to the window. Only then did Danny understand the level of the situation. He had no other option than to support him. Therefore, he said, “We need to break that curse because I won’t let you die for love”
Stanley turned again. “Do you have any suggestions on how to break it?”
“Nope” he replied as an afterthought.
***
10:30pm at Hocain’s residence, darkness was the nature of the atmosphere, thus, making the environment dark as well. One can see a ray of light through the windows of the house. Suddenly, a strange wind began to blow which attracted Mr and Mrs Hocain to the window to know the cause of it because as spiritual powerful beings, they felt that another powerful being is approaching the house. Just as they believed, they saw a strange person covered with black robe from head to toes coming from the gate. They also saw a lamp on the person’s hand but couldn’t see the face.
“Who could that be?” Mrs Lena asked the husband.
“Let’s wait and see” he replied.

The strange person finally appraoched the door of the house, hung the lamp on the wall and knocked at the door. Mr Hocain opened it while the wife stood behind him looking at the guest.
“I believe I am at the Hocains’” the person said.
“Yes? Who are you?” Mr Hocain asked then the person uncovered her head. It was Stanley’s grandmother!
“I am Latisha, the grandmother of the one whom your daughter fell in love with” She replied then went inside even before she was permitted. It was no big deal for the Hocains, so they stood before the old woman looking at her black eyeglasses and wondering how she could see with it in the dark too not knowing she was blind.
“So what brought you, Latisha?”
“My grandson brought your daughter to me for an introduction as his girlfriend. Since then, I went out in search for his destiny with the girl he loves”
“And what’s your result?” Mrs Lena asked.
“I know, you Hocains has some powers but what I don’t understand is why your daughter is destined to be with my grandson”
“Destiny? My daughter is destined to be with your grandson? Is that the result of your research?” Mr Hocain asked trying to get angry.
“In as much as both are destined, Stanley gonna die in the process because the time has come when both can’t stay away from each other due to the force of destiny that is driving them together” Latisha stepped forward looking at their eyes even though she can’t see. “You know of what I speak, don’t you?” she asked calmly.
“Yes, we know and nothing can be done about it. So tell your grandson to stay away from my daughter otherwise he dies”
Latisha laughed in a factitious expression. “You don’t understand the meaning and the power of destiny, do you? Now listen and listen very good, I don’t care how you gonna do it but you must break the curse because I won’t watch my boy die like a stabbed chicken by your daughter. I have seen it all” she proceeded to the door, took her lamp and went home.
There was nothing that could be done but to allow destiny to take its way, the Hocains knew that.
***
The next night at Eastwood, students had gone to bed living the environment lonely and quiet. A gentle breeze took over the atmosphere as the moonlight shone brightly for unseen angels. Rita woke up missing Stanley. For the past four days she had not talked to him or touched him. She wished to be with him at the moment, so she walked to the window and surprisingly saw him sitting at the basketball court. “Stanley?” she called happily with a smile and rushed out immediately without Julie’s knowledge.
Stanley also wished to see her. Surprisingly, when he raised his head up, he saw her running to him, so he stood up and ran to her until both met and kissed each other passionately. The sound of their breath could be heard by anyone around.
“I miss you” Rita said smiling then gave him another quick kiss.
“I miss you more” he replied caressing her cheek. “I can’t spend another moment without you” he looked around then lowered his voice. “I have an idea, let’s run away”
“To where?” she stared into his eyes.
“Anywhere that we can be forever together”
Rita shook her head negatively. “Stanley, in as much as I so desire to be with you, I don’t want anything to happen to you. I have eleven days left to turn dark and.. and.. kill you”
“Nothing gonna happen to me or you. I want you to have faith in God!”
“Stanley, it doesn’t work like that. My ancestors passed through the same thing” she began to shed tears while Stanlely held her hands.
“You have to believe in God!”
“There is no God, Stanley” she turned to go away but to see Tercy recording their conversation with a video camera. Stanley became surprise when he saw her. None of them said anything until she left.
:
The next morning, Tercy reported to Mr Ruben with the video as an evidence which led to the expulsion of Rita Hocain from Eastwood Academy. Stanley did not know about it until he saw Rita coming out from the hostel with her luggage. He met her immediately to know what was happening.
“Why are you leaving, Rita?”
She kept quiet dragging the box as she walked slowly. Many students watched her from the windows.
“Talk to me, what’s going on?” Stanley was still curious and inquisitive.
“She has been expelled!” Mrs Kate said from behind.
Before Stanly knew it, security men restricted him from following Rita when he tried to do so. He disengaged from them, ran into his hostel and began to park her belongings. Danny came in with a sad look because the news had gone viral.
“What are you doing bro?”
“I’m leaving the school” he replied without looking at him.
“Why?”
“I have been expelled”
Danny became confused. “I thought Rita is the only one expelled”
“I never told you the school expelled me, I expelled myself” Stanley concluded…
:
TO BE CONTINUED

[valentine]

Episode 2

Rita started freaking out due to the way everybody stared at her all because she was a green horn in the classroom. She wore a jean trouser with two books held very closely to her waist in a way it covered the zip of the trouser. On her feet were flat shoes while short-sleeve top became a cover-up from her shoulder down to the abdomen. Already, Stanley and Tercy had gone back to their seats and Danny couldn’t wait to start talking. Therefore he tapped Stanley and said with a low voice, “Is she the new girl you saw through the window?”
“Yeah” he replied absentmindedly.
“Mhen, she’s hot!” Danny raised his head to take a very good look at her again.
On the other hand, Julie could be seen whispering to the next girl beside her. No doubt to Rita that she was talking about her. Nevertheless, she found the nearest vacant seat to sit, but before she did, Mr Ruben called up her.
“Young girl, I guess you are the butt and senses of that young man” he pointed at Stanley.
“I don’t understand sir” Rita said calmly glancing at Stanley whom she found looking at her as if they had known each other before. Due to she barely associate with men, she became cuddly uncomfortable.
“Never mind” Mr Ruben replied looking at the whole class. “We have a new student. Of course I know before now because her details has been sent to my system, but I’ll allow her to introduce herself” he signalled her to come up to the stage which she did boldly.
“Humm.. I’m Rita Hocain by name..”

Hearing that, students began to murmur which interrupted her. Some people like Stanley didn’t understand why, while some like Danny tried to explain why.
“What’s happening?”
“Are you the only one that doesn’t know about the Hocain family?”
“What about them?”
Before Danny could answer, Rita’s voice over shadowed the murmuring. So all be became quiet listening to her again.
“I know what you guys are soliloquising about, but I assure you, I may be of Hocain but different. We only have to relate peaceful and friendly and there will be no cause for alarm. Thank you” she went straight to her seat. Some students liked her already but Tercy didn’t just like her if not for any reason, but for taking Stanley’s attention earlier which indicated that she had an atom of love for him. Stanley was too blind to see it.
“Alright, you’ve heard what she said” Mr Ruben concluded.
The class ended dramatically for the day but no one met Rita privately except that she participated on several scenes that was practiced or acted in the classroom. Stanely met her sitting alone then gradually dragged a seat closer to her and sat down. Already, Danny had explained to him about how magical, diabolical and spiritually powerful her family is. Rita glanced at him but didn’t say a word.
“Hi, I’m Stanley”
“Hi” she replied without looking at him.
“I… I have been.. you know, watching you from behind. Is something bothering you?”
“No”
“But I can see it in your eyes. Is written all over you”
Rita took a close look at him, she stood up instantly to leave the place but Stanley stood up too in a way he prevented her from going, yet, she turned to another direction to leave. When he wanted to hold her back, his hand couldn’t reach her even though she was close to him. Therefore he withdrew his hand amazingly.
“What was that?”
“That’s why you shouldn’t touch me or come close to me” She replied then finally left.

Stanley couldn’t believe his experience. He stood there dumbfounded still staring at his hand. He thought it was one of her powers she exhibited without knowing it’s the handwork of her parents; They banned the body of their daughter in a way no man with emotional intentions can get hold of her. Already, with what just happened, Rita understood his intentions, that’s why she had to leave.
Stanley walked out of the classroom surprisingly to see a male student shaking her by the hand. He looked at his own hand then looked at the male student’s to know if he had a different hand. Just as he wallowed in the state of querulous qualm, Rita turned to him and smiled before leaving.
“This is insane!” he rushed out.
:
7:05pm
The weather had become a bit dark. Students had returned to their hostels. Stanley was still in the state of dynamic confusion inside his room with Danny who sat on the bed watching how restless his roommate was.
“You should have seen this” Stanley began. “I tried to touch her but couldn’t feel her body in my hand! Whileas others were touching and shaking her!”
“I have told you, that girl’s family is spiritually powerful. Who knows if she’s not a ghost? Is high time you let her be and run from her before is too late”
“No, I must find out the reason for this”
“Are you crazy?!” Danny’s voice became high. “You should know that you are dealing with devil. These people don’t know God, they are not Christians, they are dibolical and hazardous!”
Stanley ignored him and looked through the window again to see Rita sitting at the basketball court alone. The more he looks at her the more he feels a strong connection with her. Danny also drew closer to see her.
“No, there is something about her” Stanley left the window to the door.
“Where do you think you are going to?” Danny asked him.
“To meet her”
“Don’t go out there, Stanley. I don’t think is a good idea”
The two boys stared at each other silently. Stanley hesitated then clutched the doorknob and went out.

As Danny watched what would happen through the window, so as Tercy watched as Stanley met Rita at the basketball court. Also, Mrs Kate, the female warden watched them too.
Stanley finally met her but couldn’t believe she was shedding tears. He sat beside her again and said, “Now the evidence is clear”
“What evidence?” Rita dried her tears immediately.
“Why are you shedding tears”
“And why are you showing much concern about that?”
Stanley remained quiet without knowing what to tell her as the answer to the question. Just then, Rita stood up to walk away again.
“Hey, you don’t just walk away like that!” Stanley also stood up to hold her back but couldn’t reach or feel her hand. “You need to explain this to me! Why me?! Why can’t I get to hold you like every other students!”
Rita hastened her steps in tears, she began to run when she couldn’t bear to hear his voice and remembering the consequences of what would happen if she allows his intentions to be fulfilled. Tercy became not only surprise but also jealous after seeing what happened. Therefore she angrily left the window..
:
TO BE CONTINUED

Episode 3

Rita ran into her hostel with tears in her eyes. She locked the door and sat behind it with hands on her forehead. Her roommate, Julie, who sat half n***d on the bed cutting her fingernails never talked to her but occasionally glanced at her. Not that she hated her but was just taking precautions due to the type of family she came out from. Few minutes later, she felt pity for her then stood up. She wore only a white pant and a pare of bra looking charming. Softly did she drag her up from the floor then led her to the bed in a way they sat on its edge.

“I don’t know why you are crying, what I do know is that it’s not a good idea to sit on the floor while crying” she said then stood up to her own bed as Rita began to dry her tears. She wanted to resume cutting her fingernails but asked in a concern charisma, “Do you want to talk about it? I mean why are you crying?”
Rita ignored the question as she stood up to the window just to see Stanley still standing at the basketball court. Julie also saw him then proceed with the inquisition, “Is he the reason why you are crying?”
“No, why should he be?” Rita retired to her bed.
“Maybe because he said or did something bad to you. You know men are good at that. They are annoying, selfish especially in bed, unsatisfactory, sarcastic and less romantic”
“No, you are only saying that because you are a lesbian. So many men aren’t like that”
“So why are you crying?” Julie began to cut her fingernails again.
“I guess he is in love with me” Rita replied.
“Who?” Julie asked surprisingly. “You mean Stanley? and how is that a reason why you are crying?”
“You don’t get it, Julie” Rita stood up. “He can’t love me otherwise he dies. I was born with a curse that any man who loves me would also be killed by me. My parents has tried to break the curse but ended up losing me on the quest” she faced her roommate with much enthusiasm. “Julie, I wonna be normal like every other girls. I wonna know how it feels to be with a man, I wonna get married!” she broke down in tears again going back to her bed.

“This is serious” Julie met her in a close romantic way. She held her across the shoulder admiring her b*****s through the lose top she wore. She placed the other hand on her cheek like a mother trying to cuddle a broken hearted child. “You don’t need a man my dear, and you shouldn’t cry because of a man. A woman can give all that you need; be it love, care, name it.. ” she brought her face closer to kiss her as she cares her cheek romantically but Rita disengaged from her immediately.
“You are hopeless” she stood up. “I’m not a lesbian, Julie, and I don’t want to be one. My destiny is with a man not a woman!” she shrieked going back to the window. “And that man is Stanley, I can feel it” she concluded with a very low voice.
:
On the other hand, Stanley hopelessly went back to his hostel then was unable to sleep that night. He kept contemplating on what he has done to Rita or what connection both of them had for not being able to touch her just like other students. As he wallowed in a deep thought, Danny was busy snoring in his sleep. Suddenly, a knock came from the door. He first glanced at his wristwatch before standing to open the door. The time was 12: 05a.m in the night. “Who could this be?” he thought behind the door before asking aloud, “Who’s that?”
“Warden” a female voice replied.

Stanley opened the door to see Mrs Kate standing like an escaped goat. She quickly entered into the room then locked the door by herself. Stanley couldn’t ask or tell what was happening. At first, a female warden shouldn’t be in the male hostel, but here, Mrs Kate was not only in the male hostel but inside the room of a male student. Before he knew it, she closed the window curtains and sat on the edge of his bed like a woman who wants the perfom a blow job on a man.
“Mrs Kate, I don’t understand. What’s going on?” Stanley asked with his hands spread in the air.
“Get seated” she tapped a place beside her on the bed. The expression of seriousness lingered on her face which got Stanley not only worried but also curious. As he fearfully wanted to sit beside her, Danny woke up to see them in a juxtapose position. He rubbed his eyes to be sure of whom he saw with his roommate.
“Mrs Kate!” he exclaimed.
“Ssshhh” she silent him with a finger across her lips then turned to Stanley. “You are digging your grave young man”
Hearing that, the two boys looked at each other then averted their eyes back to the woman who continued whole heartedly. “Rita is cursed, no man can love her. From the incident that happened earlier it seems like you have feelings for her. That’s the reason why you can’t get to touch or hold her because she’s banned by her parents”
“Is that it?” Stanley began. “Because I have feelings for her, I can’t get to hold her, is that it?”
“No, you don’t get, pip squick! You gonna die! And the painful part is that she’ll be the one to kill you. She gonna be possessed with a dark power then kill you unknowingly”
Stanley thought for a while, “So that’s the reason why she’s always moody, cries and avoid my presence?” he murmured then look at Mrs Kate. “Can’t the curse be broken?”
“Only your head can break it! Idiot!” Danny interfered disdainfully while the poor woman stood up briskly.
“I have told you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you” she concluded and went out.
:
Days turned to weeks and Stanley never went close to Rita again but they had been exchanging eye contact feeling the connection more and more. Stanley had always wanted to approach her but Danny prevented him each time he tried to.
Both were on their way to lecture when Tercy came around with a smiling face. She wore a jean skirt over a pare of black leggings, and a white sleeveless top.
“Hi guys” she said.
“Hi, pretty girl. You look charming” Danny complimented.
“Thanks”
“Hi, Tercy” Stanley smiled at her.
She returned the smile then went closer to him, stretched on her toes and whispered into his ear. Stanley stood still watching how she ran away. He couldn’t help it but smiled happily.
“What did she say, guy?” Danny became curious.
“You don’t wonna hear it, trust me” Stanley ran after her.
“Hey, wait for me!” Danny took on his heels too.
The three students could be seen running through the staircase and dodging from other students who were too lazy to walk until they finally rushed into the classroom were lecture was already going on. Three of them stood still at the door breathing hastily. Rita turned to see her eyes clashing with Stanley’s, so she averted them instantly. Mr Ruben looked at them just like every other student in the classroom.
“Can any of you explain why you ran to this place like mad dogs?”
“Sir, I don’t know. I saw Stanley running so I followed him” Danny clarified himself.
“Okay, Stanley, tell us why you started running before your friend stupidly joined you for a reason he doesn’t know?”
“Sir, I ran off because of what Tercy whispered to me” he answered.
“Fine, Tercy, what did you whisper to this young man that he stupidly ran after you just like his stupid friend?”
Tercy became quiet for a while before speaking up. All the students had already paid much attention to hear from her especially Rita who had noticed that she had an eye on Stanley.
“Sir,” she began. “I told him that if he can get to the classroom before me, I’ll kiss him. But it was a joke”
Hearing that, students giggled.
“Okay, the joke gonna be a movie scene now” Mr Ruben left the stage. “Stanley and Tercy, up to the stage. Rita, join them. Assuming Stanley made it to the classroom before Tercy and expected her to kiss him, I want you, Rita, who is a secret admirer to prevent that from happening” he instructed.

The three students stood on the stage waiting for a command to start. Already other students like Julie and Danny knew that the scene might cause a very big problem because the two girls were truly in love with the boy. Nevertheless, all watched on how it gonna happen.
“Ready? Action!!” Mr Ruben exclaimed Prostrating his hand forward.
Stanley made the first move to Tercy, “Hey, I made it to the classroom before you”
“Okay? now what?” Tercy asked spreading her hands.
“You have to fulfil your promise by kissing me”
“Oh, Mr man, you of all people should know that I was only joking”
“Spare me that, woman. You should also know that an unfufil promise is a sin against God. So fulfil your promise”
“Fine” Tercy approached to kiss him but Rita appeared on the scene dramatically. “What’s going on here?” she stood before both of them with a surprise look at Stanley. “I can’t believe you wanted her to kiss you without minding how I’m gonna feel about that. Please, let’s get out of here” she added.
Everybody expected her to take Stanley by the hand or waist but she never did because she knew what would happen. Seeing that, Mr Ruben shouted, “Freez!” All stood still then he said, “Rita, take an action. Take your lover boy by the hand or waist then leave the stage. Tercy, we wanna see your reaction. Action!!”

Stanley and Rita kept staring at each other as everybody expected Rita to do as their lecturer said. Only Danny, Stanley and Rita herself knew what would happen if she carry out the instruction. Nevertheless, she slowly stretched her hand feeling her heartbeat and staring into his eyes until tears began to drop from her eyes. Stanley himself could feel the connection, so the rate of his heartbeat also changed. Tercy and other students even Mr Ruben noticed that the thing had gone out of acting to something else but all kept quiet to witness the outcome. To their surprise, Rita tried to hold his hand but couldn’t get hold of them. Also, Stanley made further move to touch her cheeks romantically but couldn’t hold them too. Just then, Rita ran out.
“Rita!!” Stanley ran after her.

The whole class, even Mr Ruben became amaze while Tercy drowned in the pool of jealousy. All rushed out to further witness on what would happen next. Only the lecturer stood by the window also watching the two lovers. He decided to let them be not because he loved what happened but because in grade3 students are allowed to express themselves. They believe that everything is acting.
However, Rita Kept running as Stanley ran after her. Just before she ran into the hostel, she heard him saying, “You don’t need to explain to me anymore coz I know why all this is happening”
Hearing that, she stopped without looking back while he continued, “Yes, I admit the fact that I love you. It’s a feeling I can’t stop having and a dream I don’t wish to wake up from. I know the consequences is death but I’m ready to die loving you if only I can touch your beautiful skin. I love you, Rita Hocain and nothing gonna stop me from doing that!”
Rita gradually turned with tears in her eyes. She could see almost all the students in the school both outside and at the window staring at them. From what Stanley said, she realized she can break the banned by her parents, (not the curse). Therefore she raised her hands up, brought them down and rubbed them together until a powerful force hit her down.
“Rita!” Stanley rushed her to see her eyes close, but she gradually opened them with a smile.
“Now, you can touch me, Stanley” she said.

He slowly touched her hand feeling the wormness and solftness until he pulled her up.
“Who told you about me?” she asked.
“Mrs Kate did” he replied touching her cheek.
“I love you too Stanley?” she said forgetting her worries then both began to kiss each other passionately. Just then, thunder stroke and a heavy rain began to pour down, yet, they never stopped kissing.
Seeing that, Tercy ran into the hostel heartbroken…
:
TO BE CONTINUED

[valentine]

Episode 13
Final
.
.
.
Good afternoon officers, do you want to buy electronic? Nicholas
asked
“No! we are looking for one Mr Nicholas. “one of the police man
responded
ok they directed you to buy market from me? so which one do you
want to buy, I have Sony product, Lg, Elepac, Tiger and Panasonic,
I have every product you want both big and small size, so which
one should I bring for you people, is it generator, DVD or deep
freezer, which one do you people want to buy? Nicholas asked

Are you Mr Nicholas the owner of nicho investment? 2nd officer
asked
“Yes! am the one and only Nicholas, the hottest trader in this
market, any problem? Nicholas asked again
you are under arrest for selling a stolen goods. “4th officer said and
that moment Nicholas heart skipped
I don’t know what you people are talking about ooo .”he denied
you have been buying stolen goods from alhaji kazeem, who have
been sending his boys to rob people’s warehouse but unfortunately
for them they were caught, and they told us that it was alhaji
kazeem that sent them and also they said that you are their number
1 buyer and now alhaji kazeem is no where to be found .”3rd officer
said
“And when we asked the boys if you know anything about the
stolen goods, they said yes that you know all their activities. “1st
officer also said
please officers let me explain is not what you think. “Nicholas said
panicking
shut up your mouth, they even told us that you send them to burn
one Mr festus shop and goods. “2nd officer said and Nicholas was
speechless that moment
please have mercy on me is the hand work of the devil I beg you,
let’s settle this here I will give you people anything you want.
“Nicholas pleaded
Keep quiet!! anything you say now shall be use against you in the
court of law. “the 3rd officer said and after that they handcuff him
and took him away.
.
Two weeks later, festus became very rich and bought a new house,
he also bought two plots of land for his father in the village, he also
relocate with his family to the new house he bought, he also bought
a new expensive car for his wife and from there they lived happily.
.

Nicholas on the other hand was later sentence 14yrs imprisonment
with hard labor for selling a stolen goods and also responsible for
burning festus shop, he regretted everything bad he did and wish
he could have a second chance to change, but everything was too
late for him as he went to jail to serve his 14yrs imprisonment for his
crime and his wife Mary cried bitterly for him.
.
.
THE END

I REST MY PEN

Pls Without Wasting Any Time, Kindly Comment Below What You
Learnt From This Story and Male it interactive 😁

[valentine]

Episode 10
.
.
.
O my God, this can’t be happening, but did it affect other shops?
she asked
No!! is only my shop that got burnt, what am I going to do now?
where will start from? he said with tears dropping down from his
eyes
But what about the securities guarding the market, where were they
when all this was happening? grace asked
they said that they don’t know how the fire got to my shop, that they
were on duty that night, that nobody enter the place. “festus said in
sad countenance
but wait ooo, something is not right, did Nicholas shop also got
burnt? she asked again
no only my shop that got burnt, who could have done this to me? he
asked no one in particular
“Let’s just leave everything to God, he shall expose the person
behind all this because I have the feeling that somebody is behind it
and is only God that can expose that person. “grace said
.
After that day things became very difficult for festus, his wife grace
became the bread winner of the house through her supermarket

business and at that she was still submittive and faithful to her
husband no matter the condition.
.
one month after festus shop got burnt, Nicholas became the hottest
trader in the market, almost all festus customers are now buying
goods from him, he became very happy that he has succeeded in
his plans.
Finally am back to where I belong, now that I have succeeded in my
plans, let me see how that idiot that calls himself festus will go to
China again to buy goods, China man come and go nah let me see,
now I have all your customers to myself, I don’t even want you to
come to this market again so that I will be selling everyday, fool like
you .”Nicholas said to him self.
.
Later that evening when Nicholas got home, he was very happy.
Darling! you look very happy these days “Mary said
why won’t I be happy? ever since I succeeded in my plans, things
have turn around for me, that fool thought he was smart but he
don’t know that am smarter than him .”he happily said
“wow!! am very happy for you honey, that serve him right I know by
now he will be begging for food. “Mary said
He will not only beg for food, he will also beg for water, he have not
seen anything yet I will still deal with him more “Nicholas said
better do honey……
.
.
tbc

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

HEART OF MAN

.
Episode 11 & 12
.
.
.
Festus was in the sitting room thinking about everything that was
happening to him, as he was still thinking his wife came in.
Honey you can’t continue like this all day, must you kill yourself
thinking? have told you before to leave everything for God, look at
the time 12am and you are still here instead of to come inside the
room to sleep, please honey come and sleep is late. “grace said
I can’t believe that all this is happening to me, I can’t pay our
children’s school fees, house rent and other things, you have been
the one doing all this which I suppose to be doing, I need to do
something about this I can’t continue to stay at home every time.
“festus said in a sad countenance
Am I complaining? remember you open the supermarket business
for me to be supporting in case of incasity which I am doing, why
worrying your self honey .”she said in a concerned tone
remember, am the head of the family is my duty to provide for you
and the children, I think I know what to do, I will go to Nicholas shop
tomorrow. “he said
To do what? his wife asked
To know if he can lend me money to start up a little business. “said
festus
“That evil man?? no way I rather sell up my supermarket business
and give you the money to start up a business of your own. “grace
exclaimed
No! I can’t allow that to happen, I will go to Nicholas tomorrow
remember we are now in good terms, he is like a brother to me
now. “he said
well if you say so, but be careful .”grace warned
I will be careful dear “said festus

.
So the next morning, he went to Nicholas shop to know he can lend
money from him.
Ah festus my brother, long time no see, I hope all is well this one
you came to my shop? Nicholas asked smiling
All is well, just that I came to see you, since you don’t ask after me
and my family, so I decided to come and see you, like they said if
mountain does not go to Mohammed then Mohammed will go to the
mountain .”festus said
Am sorry that I haven’t called since to asked after you, just that
have been very busy, for the pass two weeks have not been
around, I travelled to China to buy goods, I just came back
yesterday .”Nicholas lied
wow! you are now traveling to China? festus asked
yes I now travel to China to buy goods. “Nicholas said
That’s good news, am really happy for you. “festus said smiling
Is God ooo my brother, so what brought you here I hope there is no
problem? Nicholas asked
if I tell you that all is well know that am lying, you know ever since
my business got burnt, have been staying at home since then, my
wife have been the one doing everything in the house, I need to
stand up as a man to take care of my family, so I decided to come
to you to lend me money to start up a small business, I promise to
pay back when the business is mature. “festus pleaded
eyaa…, I would love to help but the thing is that, I just returned back
from China yesterday and I don’t have any money with me, you
know what just come back in the next four days let me see what I
can do. “Nicholas said
.
.
.
Episode 12
.

.
.
Alright, I will come back in the next four days just as you said.
“festus said and after that he went home
The next four days, festus still went to Nicholas shop as they
agreed, but still Nicholas did not give him the money he asked for,
After that festus never bother and have anything to do with him
again since he don’t want to help him.
.
So things still became very difficult for festus that he could not
afford money to buy anything for himself or for his family, this
continues like this not until one day his father Nathan called him on
phone one evening.
“papa good evening sir. “festus greeted immediately he picked the
call
Evening my son, how are you and your family? Nathan asked
we are all fine papa, just that we are managing life, but this one you
called I hope everything is alright ? festus asked
yes my son everything is alright, I called to tell you to come to the
village in the next three days because I will be selling one of my
land and give you the money to start up a business, I can’t be alive
and watch any of my children suffering, I have bargain with the
buyer he said that he will be be buying the land tomorrow or next
.”his father said
but why papa? why do you want to sell your land because of me?
he asked
because you are my child, I will do anything for my children besides
remember I have up to three lands selling one of them is not a big
deal, just come in the next three days as I said okay? his father said
over the phone
ok papa!! I will come as you said, may God bless you for me.
“festus happily said and after that the call went dead.
.

Three days later, he went to the village and his father gave him the
money that he sold for the land, festus took the money back to the
city and start up a business in another market place, not too long he
started going to China to buy goods, things started turning around
for him and his family.
.
One afternoon, Nicholas was talking with one of his friend outside
his shop when a group of police men came, immediately he saw
them he stopped whatever he was doing to know what they want.
.
.
tbc

[valentine]

Episode 8 & 9
.
.
.
Two days later, festus went to China and bought goods then he
returned back after some days.
hmm…. so this man have gone to China and bought many goods,
look at how his shop is filled up with so many goods with different

product, while me am still buying from alhaji kazeem, ah… am even
talking, look at how customers are trooping in and out from his
shop, while me no customer have enter my shop since morning
apart from that credit man that called himself ebano, all he knows is
to buy credit without paying money, hmm God forbid I can never
live my life on credit like ebeano. Well as for festus I know next
thing to do. “As Nicholas was still talking to himself, his phone
began to rang and it was alhaji kazeem calling.
“Hello!! nicho my man “alhaji kazeem said over the phone
Alhaji! Alhaji!! longest time, I did not hear from you again, what
happened? Nicholas asked
Am sorry jare, just that my boys didn’t succeed in bringing the
goods from the warehouse I sent them to bring, they said that the
security there was tight, so I have to figure out another place that I
will send them, but finally they succeeded this time but was almost
caught. “Alhaji kazeem explained
“But I hope they bring the product I normally buy, because my
customers don’t like the other one. “Nicholas said
why not they brought all the products you want, just come for the
goods you like. “alhaji said
Alhaji my man I trust, that is why I normally buy from you because
you are a good business man and you sell in a cheaper rate for me,
don’t worry am coming right away .”Nicholas happily said over the
phone
Alright, I will be waiting for you. “alhaji kazeem said and after that
he ended the call.
.
After Nicholas finished what he was doing in the shop, he went to
alhaji kazeem place and bought all the goods he needed, after that
he came back to his shop with his goods which a bus offloaded.
.
Later that afternoon festus went to Nicholas shop to see him.

Nicholas my brother is like you went to buy new goods? festus
asked smiling
yesooo…, since I don’t have much goods so I decided to buy new
ones .”Nicholas replied
Thank God for that, am very happy for you .”festus happily said
thank you my brother, so how is business? Nicholas asked
Business is fine ooo, this your goods look like a portable one, where
did you buy it from? festus asked
My brother! am buying it from Douglas .”Nicholas lied
.
.
.
HEART OF MAN
.
Episode 9
.
.
.
wow! you mean Douglas the one that normally import his goods
from Japan and Dubai? festus asked
Exactly my brother “Nicholas replied
Eyaa…. but why buying from him, everybody knows that his goods
are very costly, how will you see your profit if you keep on buying
from Douglas. “festus said
what will I do if I don’t buy from him, where else will I buy? Nicholas
asked
To my own suggestion, why not anytime that am going to China you
give me your own money to buy for you, because electronic are
very very cheap in China, with that you will earn a lot of profit.
“festus suggested
thanks for your concern, I will think about it and get back to you.
“Nicholas said

Alright, is for your own good “festus said and after that he went
back to his shop
Look at him, so because you are going to China to buy goods,
somebody will not hear word again, thunder fire 🔥🔥 you for telling
me that, you have see me that don’t use to go to China Abi, stupid
man, ah….. Nicholas you have suffered just look at how this man
was insulting me, you think I don’t have money to go to China?
don’t worry wait and see, me I will go to USA to import my own
goods, you are going to common China and be making noise up
and down nonsense. “Nicholas thought to himself
.
One week later, festus went to China again to buy more goods
because the other goods he bought have finished, so he decided to
buy more. After some days he returned .
Nicholas on the other hand saw how festus business was moving
and growing, he became very jealous.
Ah…. this man is looking for my trouble ooo, he is making me to feel
bad, Everytime he normally go to China to buy goods, does it mean
that the one he bought last week have finish? while the one I
bought from alhaji kazeem is still much, I don’t even think that I will
sell all that in the next two months because customers hardly come
to my shop to buy from me, no problem I know what next to do,
festus you are going down, I can’t take this anymore before I die of
bp .”Nicholas said to himself
.
One day, festus came back home looking very sad and worried, his
wife grace had broke down and cried when festus told her of how
fire destroyed his shop and goods.
Honey! how did it happened? grace asked crying
I went this morning to the shop, only to discovered that everything
was burnt down including the shop, am finished I just bought new
goods with my life savings. “festus sobbed
.

.
tbc

[valentine]

HEART OF MAN
.
Episode 6 & 7
.
.
please officers I don’t know what you people are talking about,
everybody in this market know that am importing my goods from

China. “festus defended himself but the police men still insist on
taking him to the station
“you are coming with us to the station for further investigation, and if
we found you guilty you shall go to jail. “the 1st police man said
And what if am not guilty? festus asked following his statement
Then we shall set you free .”the police man responded
Alright, let me close my shop before going with you people. “festus
said and then he lock up his shop after that the police men took him
away
.
festus spend some days in the cell and was later release because
he was not guilty of the crime they said he committed.
when Nicholas learnt that festus have been released, he became
very sad because he wanted him to go to jail.
so they have released this man, upon everything I did for him to go
to jail but still it didn’t work, no problem I know what to do, I will
pretend to make peace with him, with that it will be easy for me to
deal with him without him suspecting me. “Nicholas thought to
himself and after that he went to festus’s shop according to his plan,
on getting there festus was very surprised on seeing him because
everybody in the market know that they are not in good term.
Good day festus, how are you doing? Nicholas asked immediately
he got to festus’s shop
Am fine!! this one you came to my shop, I hope there is no problem
or did you miss your way? festus asked surprisedly
No my brother I did not miss my way, I came because am really
concerned about you, I heard that policemen came to your shop
and arrest you, what really happened? he asked pretending to care
Am still surprised, I can’t believe that Nicholas of all people will
come to my shop, because I know that you never liked me which
everybody in the market knows, so why the sudden change ? festus
asked still surprised

Hmm…. let me say have realized my mistake, that was why I came
to make peace with you, am sorry for everything I have done to you
please forgive me. “Nicholas said pretending to change
Anyway, I don’t have any grudges against you am a peaceful
person, you are the one making it look as if we are enemies,
anyway I have forgiven you .”festus said
“Thank you very much, I promise to be a change man from today
onwards .”Nicholas said
is alright, I don’t have anything against you anymore, the most
important thing now is we have make peace .”festus said
so what really happened between you and the police? Nicholas
asked
They came here and said that am selling a stolen goods, so they
arrested me .”festus explained
“Jesusss…… you don’t mean it .”Nicholas screamed pretending not
to know
I even thought you are the one that told them, because you made
the same statement to my customers then .”festus said
me……. nooooo, am not the one at all, like I said before am sorry for
what I did to you, but the truth is that I wasn’t the one that told the
police about you selling a stolen goods. “he lied
.
.
.
Episode 7
.
.
.
Alright, I will still find out the person who told the police that am
selling stolen goods which they know is not true. “festus said
that is a good idea, you need to fish out the person who told the
police. anyway your shop is some how empty, what happened to
your goods? Nicholas asked trying to know more things about him.

my brother is God ooo…. he have been so good to me these days, I
have sold all my goods am even planning to go to China in two
days time to buy more goods. “festus said and that moment
Nicholas mood changed, but he still pretend to be happy for him
you don’t mean it, eyaa am very happy for you .”Nicholas said
smiling but inside him he is dieing of envyness
Thank you for your concern, so how is business? festus asked
my brother business is very bad these days, in a day I can’t be able
to sell up to two thousand naira everything just changed am even
tired of this business. “Nicholas said
just take it easy, everything will soon be alright and by the way,
what of your boy Emma? I have not be seeing him of recent. “festus
asked
that boy!! he said that is working for his brother now, so I let him go
what will I do. “Nicholas replied
Anyway just take things easy .”festus advised him and after their
discussion Nicholas went back to his shop
.
Later that night, festus was discussing with his wife in their house.
So how was business today? Grace asked
business was fine, oh I even forgot to tell you, Nicholas came to my
shop today. “he said
To do what ? she asked following his statement
Nothing much, he came to apologise for all he did to me and I have
no choice but to forgive him
Just like that?? better be careful with that man I don’t trust him. “she
advised
don’t worry honey he is a changed man now. “he said
I still don’t trust him, just be careful with him. “his wife said
I will dear, less I forget I will be traveling to China in two days time
to buy goods. “festus said
Alright dear……. “his wife said and they ended the discussion
.

In Nicholas house that same night, he was with his wife also
discussing
That fool think he is smart, I went to his shop today. “Nicholas said
why will you go to his shop? Mary asked frowning
I went there to plead for his forgiveness, but he don’t know that I
was trying to know his in and out .”Nicholas said and that moment
Mary smiled
so did you get any information from him? she asked
Ah….. don’t you trust me your husband again? he said smiling
so what did the idiot told you ? she asked curiously
He told me that he will be going to China in two days time to buy
goods, no problem he should go China but I have my plans.
“Nicholas said smiling wickedly
hmm… my iron Man I trust you .”Mary said and they both laughed,
after that they went to sleep.
.
.
tbc

[valentine]

HEART OF MAN
.
Episode 3
.
.
.
Oga!! I sold electronic of forty thousand, I gave your wife twenty
thousand, remaining twenty thousand. “Stanley explained

“I don’t understand all this, in a day we use to sell more than
500,000, I was expecting you to bring a big bag of money, and you
are here giving me change and later you will expect me to pay you
money for the month, does it mean that customers are no more
coming to this shop? festus asked in a angry tone
“sir!! since you travelled, all the customers are going to oga
Nicholas shop to buy electronic, they don’t come here again to buy
something. “Stanley said
Are you sure of what you are saying? festus asked because he
thought that Stanley was lying to him
Oga! I swear they are not buying from us again .”Stanley said
.
Through out that day, customer did not come to festus’s shop.
meanwhile Nicholas was in his shop happy because he was selling,
when he sighted festus sitting in his shop putting hand on his check
feeling worried, Nicholas smiled wickedly at the state he saw festus.
“you have not seen anything yet, I will deal with you, and also make
sure that no customer step their feet into your shop again, you will
regret the day you came to this market to sell, I will make life
miserable for you I swear .”Nicholas thought to himself while in his
shop.
.
The same thing keep on happening to festus, he will go to his shop,
at the end of the day he will not sell anything. So one day he
decided to call one of his customer on phone to know why they are
not buying from him again.
hello….. good afternoon customer “festus said immediately the
customer whose name was mattew picked the call
“Afternoon, who am I speaking with? mattew asked
you are speaking with the owner of festus holding limited .” he
replied
Ah…. good afternoon sir, this one you called, I hope all is well?
mattew asked again

yes ooo…. all is well, I was just wondering why you are not coming
to my shop to buy goods as usual again .”festus said
Am sorry, I don’t want to involve myself in any trouble, so that was
why I decided to be buying from another shop. “mattew exclaimed
“Trouble!! I don’t get you, how do you mean by that? festus asked
confusedly
you think I don’t know that you are selling a stolen goods .” mattew
said over the phone
stolen goods? I still don’t understand what you are saying, can you
please explain better. “festus said still confused
“They told me that you are selling a stolen goods, that was why I
stopped buying from you. “mattew explained
oh no!! that is not true, I import all my goods from China, don’t listen
to any false news I have all the receipt to all the goods I bought,
please I beg you come and be buying from me. “festus said calmly
on the phone
Alright, I will see what I can do. “mattew said and after that he
dropped the call
.
Two days later, festus started investigating to know who was behind
all that have been happening to his business and later he found out
that it was Nicholas, with anger he went to his shop to confront him.
what the hell are you doing in my shop? Nicholas asked frowning
his face
“so you have the guts to ask me that stupid question when you are
about to ruin my business, how could you do this to me, why will
you tell my customers that am selling stolen goods when you know
that I do import my goods from China .”festus said furiously
hahaha…. you have not seen anything yet, this is just the beginning.
“Nicholas mockingly said
.
.
tbc

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

HEART OF MAN
.
Episode 4 & 5
.
.
.
You are very wicked Nicholas, that is why you don’t progress in
anything you do because of your wicked mind. “festus said and that
made Nicholas to got angry and he punched festus on his face
How dare you say that to me, who told you I don’t progress in all I
do ” Nicholas angrily said
“you think taking all my customers will make you get what you
want? no way because the God I serve will not forsake and he will
not allow your evil plan to work towards me. “festus said and after
that he left with anger
.
Later that same day night, Nicholas was with his wife Mary in the
sitting room gisting and laughing.
that reminds me, how was business today? Mary asked
“business is fine, the problem now I have is that idiot called festus,
can you imagine that he came to my shop today telling me rubbish
that I have taken all his customers, that animal have not seen
anything yet, all the customers buying from him I have taken all the
customers from him, now they are buying from me, by the time I
finish with him he will regret the very first day he came to the market
to sell. To be added to WhatsApp group Msg me on zero eight one
thirty-nine seventy seven seventy eight eighty seven. “Nicholas said
That is why I love you so much because you are smart, don’t give
him that space to over take you. “Mary said

Don’t you trust your husband again, is me Nicholas the over taker, I
don’t take rubbish from anybody .”he said
“I trust you my husband, I know what you are capable of doing
.”Mary said and they both laughed
let’s forget about festus, and talk important things, so how is your
own boutique business going, I hope is moving fine? he asked
“business is fine ooo…. just that the customers are complaining that
my clothes are costly as if is my fault, they don’t know that things
are very costly this days, do they expect me to buy higher price and
sell Lower price for them nah .”his wife Mary said
“that’s business for you, anyway just take things easy, by the way
where is junior, has he gone to bed?
Nicholas asked
yes he is sleeping. “Mary replied
“Alright dear…..
.
meanwhile in festus house, he was in the room with his wife, they
were talking.
“Honey how is business now, has it improve? grace his wife asked
with a concern tone
Business is still the same, after all my plead to the customers they
still refused to buy from me, Nicholas have succeeded in taking all
my customers, no problem I leave everything in the hand of God
.”festus said
“Just have patient with time everything will turn around “she
assured him
I hope so, because if this bad market continue, am afraid i will not
be able to pay house rent, children’s school fees and also pay
Stanley his monthly salary, I just pray that things will turn around
.”festus said
Don’t worry honey, everything will soon be alright okay? his wife
said and after that they both went to sleep.
.

The next morning, festus went to his business place on getting
there his shop was still locked.
so this boy have not yet come to work to open my shop for me, no
problem I will call him now to know what is still keeping him from
opening my shop.”he said to himself and later he dialed Stanley’s
number.
Hello Stanley!!! what is still keeping you to come to work, why
haven’t you open my shop? he asked raising his voice immediately
Stanley picked the call
“oga!! abeg am not working again .”Stanley said
But why??? he asked surprisedly
Oga! I no wan work free of charge, for the past two weeks we have
not been selling anything, I know if I continue working you will not
pay me for the month because of the bad market, so I have decided
to stop to avoid story month end.
.
.
.
Episode 5
.
.
.
Why will you say that, you know I don’t fail to pay you every month
end, do you think I will not pay you this month end because of the
bad market? please I beg you don’t reason like that, I will pay you
your money this month end as usual. “festus pleaded
Oga! Please am not working again, but am on my way to bring your
shop key. “Stanley insisted
okay, if you still insist on quitting your job no problem, am waiting
for the key .”festus said and after that he dropped the call. Not too
long Stanley brought the shop key and gave it to him then he left.
.
Meanwhile Nicholas was in his shop attending to his customer.

“Take this product, is good but don’t worry I will buy the other one
you normally buy. “Nicholas said to the customer
Ah, Mr Nicholas you and I know that I don’t like this product apart
from the other one I normally buy, well since you don’t have it let
me go to the other shop and buy it .”The customer exclaimed
Ahh…., you want to buy stolen goods and later end up in jail, if you
love yourself better manage this product am giving you than to end
up in jail, am just telling you as my good customer. ” said Nicholas
please am going there to buy the product that I want, even if is a
stolen goods I don’t care am just a buyer. “the customer said and
left instantly to buy what he want
customer! customer!! please come, but the customer was already
gone. idiot look at the person am even calling, instead of you to be
happy that a big man like me is begging you to buy market and you
are here misbehaving animal . Nicholas said after the customer had
left
.
Festus was in his shop when the customer came
Good afternoon sir ” the customer greeted
Afternoon!! what do you want to buy? he asked and the customer
told him what he wanted to buy and festus gave him the items he
needed and then the customer left
.
After that day festus started selling, customers began to trip in and
out from shop buying all kinds of goods that they needed and with
this festus became very happy once more.
.
Nicholas on the other hand was very sad because all the people
buying from him are no more buying again from his shop and with
this he vowed to deal with festus.
.
One day festus was in his shop when a group of police men came.

Good morning! we are looking for Mr festus ” one of the police men
said
Am Mr festus, why are you looking for me? he asked
you are under arrest for selling a stolen goods. “the 2nd police man
said
“For what? i imported all my goods from China, I even have the
papers for the whole goods I imported, let me get it for you to see
“he said and was about to go and bring the papers but the police
men stopped him.
where do you think that you are going? the 3rd police man asked
raising his voice
To get the papers nah “festus replied following his statement
.
Meanwhile Nicholas was in his shop seeing the whole drama
happening in festus shop and he laughed devlishly.
you have not seen anything yet, I will deal with you since you don’t
want people to be buying from me you want to take all the
customers to yourself, let me see how you will escape this one now
I have involved the police .” Nicholas thought to himself
.
.
tbc

[Author]

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