Vengeance-(Episode 17)

Tanko’s forehead creased more by the passing second, as if he was being drawn into a bottomless pit. Abhas and I waited patiently for him to talk finally he did but not what we expected.

‘This is strange, really strange.’ He said like we didn’t already know.

‘We know that, have you found my sister?’ Abbas asked, his forehead with more creases than Tanko’s.

‘No.’

‘What have you been doing all these months? we need to find her.’ Abhas yelled.

‘I have tried my best, to see all the people that left the country that day, your sister did not leave the country that day or any other day after that, it seems those applications were meant to mislead whoever tried to look for her she doesn’t want to be found, those visas were never approved.’ Tanko said defensively.

‘So what should we do?’ Abhas asked again calming down.

‘Investigate everything, it seems to have a connection with all that happened.’

‘Then start.’

‘If you can answer some questions, they might seem personal but I’ll need your cooperation.’

‘Go ahead, we’ll answer anything.’

‘How would you describe your sister.’

‘You have her picture.’

‘Yes I do, I meant attitude.’

The first thing that came to my mind was arrogant and vindictive, yea I remember the fishy way Lami was disgraced at Tanveer’s party and the look of satisfaction on Ladidi’s face but I said nothing to Tanko.

‘She’s, she’s very, well what do I say Nafisa help me out.’

‘Arrogant and vindictive.’ I said before I could control myself.

‘OK.’

‘Does she have computer knowledge?’

‘Who doesn’t?’ Abhas barked.

‘She studied cyber security and is very conversant in cybernetics.’ I added ignoring Abhas.

‘Are you saying she stole Asad’s money?’

‘No.’

‘Then what are you driving at.’

‘Nothing, that will be it today I will get back to you when I find something.’

When Tanko left, I was afraid that my fears would come true, that Ladidi could be actually responsible for all this, but how could she destroy her own family. I needed to investigate, I could make a good start by Tanko’s report since I will see it from a different angle. Luckily every copy of the reports was in Abhas’s study.

The transaction of Asad’s missing money had an IP address of Asad’s house, why will it happen there and the IP address for the video was Nadia’s estate something was sure fishy.

Both fires were termed as arson, I didn’t have a copy of Nadia’s report I needed to get one from the hospital and police to see how it correlates, if not why should it all happen in one day and within a short span of time, and if Ladidi was in the country she could have seen in news how husband’s business was in trouble, she should care unless if she was responsible for it.

The police were easier to tackle than the hospital with money all the info was available, I had to pretend to be investigating the accident to gain access to the hospital reports.

She was under influence of narcotics and opioids, had almost drowned but she survived and was recoperating now and the police suspected that it was attempted murder as a bullet hole was found in one of her tires but they left it halfway.

The bugging thing was that I couldn’t put together the drugs and Nadia’s attack with Ladidi.

Asad finally left the hospital and was taking his responsibilities back, but he remained a shadow of himself and was keen on finding his wife as much as Abhas, he had been conversed with Tanko for almost 4 hours a day and has spent almost all day in Abhas’s study looking over Tanko’s reports.

‘Won’t you eat?’ I asked looking at the food I served him since.

‘How can I eat when my wife and kids are missing.’ He said dejectedly.

‘You have to take care of yourself, you have just returned from the hospital.’

‘Thank you Nafisa, you and Abhas have been very kind, I can’t pay you back.’

‘It’s okay, Just try and eat.’ I said turned to leave.

‘Please wait .’ he said and I stopped and faced him, his was a picture of worry, sadness and everything bad, I pitied him.

‘Someone did all this to punish me .’ he said.

‘Well .’ I started but he cut me short.

‘Supposedly it’s so why, what is the magnitude of my offence to get such a punishment.’

‘Did you know Nadia was on drugs?’ I diverted the topic cause lately all clues were pointing at Ladidi.

‘No I never saw her, but I suspected with her changing attitude.’ He answered.

The conversation ended when Abhas came and it switched to business and how to save the company which Asad was already doing a good job at saving.

‘Allah ya raya, I will come to Porthacourt first flight tomorrow.’ I squeaked into the phone.

‘My sister Haya has put to bed.’ I told Abhas when he looked at me questioningly.

Haya’s baby was running temperature, we went to the hospital, while Haya was with the doctor I was waiting in the lobby when I saw a familiar lady clutching to a prada bag strangely, She seemed lost and just looked on as if trying to recognise someone.

I walked up to her and placed my hand on her shoulder, before she turned I knew it was Ladi and I knew the search for Ladidi had ended.

I just could not comprehend what Ladi was saying, she claims she hadn’t seen Ladidi since months, I followed her to the hotel and met the kids, and the first thing they asked about was their parents.

They looked worn out and thin, I left them to look for their mother.

From the airport I was directed to the hospital there I was told where ladidi was and my worst fears came true, she was not just responsible for destroying her family but must have learnt her lesson.

Episode 18 tomorrow

Vengeance-(Episode 16)

You’re good for nothing.’

‘Yes I know, where is your good for something son, messed up.’

‘You’ll never be half the man he was.’

‘Yes I agree, especially under women’s skirts.’

‘How am I not sure you orchestrated his downfall.’

‘Nooooo he did this himself, all by himself, infact am done handling your broke company agree that you’re broke.’

This has been going on for ages since Asad suffered a heart attack, a scandalous video of him went viral, he lost half of his fortune and his wife left with his kids.

Mr Raza and his son Ahill chose the hospital to air their dirty fight since when he took over the company in absence of his brother, things went from bad to worse for the company, Ahill could not do anything to save the company and he blamed everything on Asad’s mistakes.

‘Baba please, Ahill you people should control yourselves, you can do this at home.’ Sanam’s gentle voice said, she had just come in with two stern looking doctors.

‘Is it not Baba he can’t face the fact that his beloved son has ruined…….’

‘I think you should leave.’ Sanam said.

‘It is better, even I want him out of here.’ Mr Raza said.

‘Both of you, the hospital will appreciate if non of you ever visit again please, this time we’re serious.’

They both left, just then Abhas came in and I used that opportunity to leave the room.

Sanam joined us at the cafeteria apologising profusely for what happened inside.’

‘It’s okay my wife and I are practically family.’ Abhas said.

I knew Abhas heard everything from outside the room, A car screeched on driveway, we all knew it was Ahill.

Their attitude was the reason Asad has refused to open his eyes, the reason why he pretends to still be sick when he has recovered.

‘Nafisa any news about Shahna…….’

I nodded in negative, Abhas pushed his plate, he was very disturbed about his sister going missing the day everything went down.

When we received a call from Mudassar to come to the hospital, the first person we asked after was Ladidi.

‘She’s not here Mudassar said.’

‘Why, how do you know?’

‘It’s a long story and he told us how things started to go wrong from missing funds to hospitalised mistress to burning house the video and finally Ladidi’s note which he showed us and visa applications.

It was a terrible day, Abhas had seen the video and he thought Ladidi was somehow justified to run as she couldn’t face the society.

Months have passed and Asad prefers to sleep all day and cry at night on his hospital bed, we knew he had recovered but was not strong enough to face the world.

‘You known it’s surprising how everything went down, like it was all planned.’ Sanam said.

‘Yes it seems so, but who could have done it.’ Abhas asked.

Silence came upon us as we were all immersed in our thoughts.

Sanam’s phone beeped she checked and excused her self.

‘Nafisa what do you think really happened? Abhas asked me.

I can’t say, but it’s fishy, this seemed planned to the core.

As we went home, I thought of Ladidi, she was not my best sister inlaw, she told me to my face that I was ugly, that my feet were as big as Adnan’s and that I charmed her brother but I didn’t. The only reason Abhas treated me differently was because I was a different woman from them, had I been an affluent and arrogant woman like Ladidi then Abhas would have treated me like Asad treated her.

Ladidi is the most beautiful of all my sister in laws, the most arrogant and the most loved, she walked the world like she owned it I often wondered if she will ever be taught a lesson to make her humble.

She came to me seek advice which I gave and she came back and told me it worked that Asad had changed, and everything was alright, at that time I was under duress myself as the love of my life was marrying again, I later knew it was his friend’s widow and he felt obligated to help, he could have taken care of all their expenses that should not have included warming her bed but at the long run I understood she was human and would need to be loved too.

Vengeance-(Episode 15)

Many stories have been told about great people, it’s a tradition to write about success of people may be they should also write about failure so that people can learn.

These great people don’t  live life by themselves, there is always someone who may seem unimportant but without whom these great people could not have survived.

My name is Ladi Bukar T, am a handmaid born to a handmaid and this the story obyf a handmaid without which I don’t know what would have become of my mistress.

My mother Masi rendered her lifelong services to Hajiya Raaliya, my Mistress’s mother, when I became of age she taught me how to serve people, with number one rule being never ask questions just do what you are asked to do.

My mistress Hajiya Shahnaz is one hell of a mistress, she assumes I can’t speak english and talks all day long in english but speaks hausa to me when I understand every thing she says in English or so I thought, I grew up alongside her, but she never played with me because I was born to a handmaid.

When I got married, I was lavished with so much gifts, you’d think I was lucky but non of them attended my wedding, it was not important, I was given 2weeks break.

2 years later my mistress got married in a ground breaking ceremony, you’d think they plucked money from trees.

I had followed for her shopping as well as her honeymoon, when ever I travelled with her I’d follow her about buying things worth my salary a lifetime.

At her free time she hands me wads of cash to shop for myself.

My journey with my mistress has been quite interesting with me as silent spectator. Her father loved her the most because she was an exact replica of her mother, both are amazingly beautiful, and it got into my mistress’s head and she grew proud and arrogant.

She never does chores, like never, not even to cover her cream after applying it to her skin, I had to do it, I washed even her undies, with machine though.

We travelled together whenever she was going to have her baby which she always did outside the country for reasons best known to her.

Once she had a tiff with her husband, she ordered me to pack her things and we went back to her father’s house.

There she got the shock of her life when her father sent her back, since then she knew how to thread on her husband’s path though we spent a considerable time in the hospital several times when she “misbehaved”.

One strange day she decided to wake up early, that was not all she even did laundry ruining her husband’s clothes almost getting Makun the laundry guy fired. To top it she went to the kitchen too and almost burnt down the house trying to Cook.

What ever she was up to, she succeeded because her husband fell for it.

I won’t forget when her friend brought pastors to pray for her, the look on her face was satisfying because we all thought she deserved it, but she lashed back with fury setting the lady up badly and disgracing her publicly.

I was curious when she asked me to clean out a room in a part of the house no one uses, I couldn’t check cause she carried the key about, then came her suspicious movements and phone calls and I kept wondering what she was upto.

Her behaviour became extremely secretive, even though she assumed I couldn’t speak english she stopped answering her calls in front of me.

Days went on and she became stranger spending more and more time either in that room or outside the house.

One day she gave me lots of money to give my family, that we are travelling and I should pack light for all six of us, her four kids me and her.

We went to the airport with a strange car, stopping in front of an estate for a while where she went in to do something.

Then we headed to the airport and boarded a plane, on the plane my mistress passed out.

She was first noticed by an attendant who raised alarm and the plane made an emergency landing in somewhere they said Porthacourt, so she could get medical attention.

We left the airport in an ambulance with our luggage and went straight to a hospital, my mistress was wheeled in, and I a handmaid without any form of formal education, who understood english but never speak was left with four arrogant children who thought of me as shit, an unconscious mistress and english speaking doctors.

What will I do???????

The doctors took her into a room with red signs on top, I can’t read so I dont what it meant, they kept staring at her, even almost dying she was haughtily beautiful. One of them came out and spoke rapid english, the accent was very different from my mistress’s, I didn’t understand so I just stared, she waited for my reply when she didn’t get she left and returned with another.

‘Madam we need identification for documentation.’

No one has ever called me madam, no one has ever addressed me with respect before I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know the meaning of identification for documentation, though I understood most things my mistress said I never spoke english how do I ask for the meaning.

I was scared but I knew I had to speak English, so I swallowed hard and I spoke english for the first time.

‘Wwwhat is is identification and documentation?’ I was shivering, I dont know if they noticed.

The nurses and doctors gasped.

‘A name.’ The second doctor said.

I swallowed again, Shah, I stopped I’d never call her name before, am a married woman with kids, never thought I had all these insecurities, maybe its because I never speak back or ask questions.

‘Is there a card eye deeeee carrd.’ The second doctor said gesticulating.

I nodded and surfed my mistress’s bag and produced many cards, they surfed through it took one and left, a while later another came and said.

‘Payment.’ Gesticulating with her fingers,

‘Wwhat?’

‘Money’

‘How much.’

‘Follow me.’ I did and I payed from my mistress’s bag.

Then I remembered her kids, they were still in the waiting area, I ran there, these were kids that have never experienced any form of discomfort in their lives, they looked devastating sitting in the waiting area, they  looked so pitiful as they stared into nothing, lost in a world new confrontations.

Thanks to Sakki their nanny, they understood hausa perfectly, I asked if they were hungry, they nodded, I took our luggage, we proceeded outside where I stopped a taxi.

They looked at me with awful eyes, they have never entered a car but it was a luxury car, they stared till I told them to get in, Asad jnr, and the twins stayed at the back seat, their discomfort clearly visible on their faces, I sat in the front with Amir on my laps.

Asad pls tell him to take us to good restaurant.’ He looked at me like I’d committed a crime to ask him to do something.

You I know I can’t speak english.’ He seemed satisfied with the explanation and spoke to the driver who nodded and took off.

We went to a restaurant that looked big and expensive, we got a table and they ordered when it was my turn I looked at the expectant waiter and nodded no english, then Nazia said she would help me order, I was surprised but took the help anyway.

After eating she read out the bill for me, and I payed from my mistress’s bag, I ate on the same table with them, that was the first time.

I knew we needed a place to sleep, so I tried asking one the waiters for a hotel, this time Shazia spoke and after sometime the waiter showed us a stair case. ‘This place is a hotel we can lodge here.’ Shazia told me and we booked a grand suit that had 3 rooms in one, I told the twins to stay in one Asad in one and my self and Amir in the last one.

‘Ammi , where is my Ammi.’Amir cried.

‘She is in the hospital, you will stay with Asad I will go to her now.’

I wanted to go back to the hospital, then I remembered I didn’t know the name of the hospital, I didn’t even know the name of the place we were, I came back upstairs and asked Asad jnr if he knew the name of the hospital, he said he didn’t read the signs.

I went back and tried to communicate with the receptionist, all to no avail because of the language barrier after sometime I went and picked the sleeping Amir and went to my room.

I didn’t know how to get back to the hospital, my mistress was lost, I checked her bag, their was loads of cash and cards, the cards she inserted into machines and money came out.

The kids kept asking for their mother, I kept lying that she was still in the hospital and every morning I will go from hospital to hospital trying to find her, I took the card of the hotel from the reception and that was how I got back to the hotel, we kept staying at the hotel where I was referred to as madam, and it occured to me that my title of hand maid was on hold as I had become the mistress since it was I who was calling the shots.

To be continue
d

Vengeance-(Episode 14)

With time she almost overtook my wife’s portion in my heart, the more I tried to get out the more I was sucked in, I stopped noticing my wife, even if she wore silk or bathed in perfume, I avoided her because I didn’t want to beat her up, she always end up making me do just that, she has a quality of annoying me like sleeping off in the palour, checking my phone, dirtying the room, she knows I hate all that yet she still does them.

Unfortunately for us both, she had seen Nadia’s message though I saved her name as Leila, and she decided to break our mirror just the kind of thing she’ll do, I ended up slapping her and she infuriated me more casusing herself to get a dose which ended her up in a hospital loosing a child for the third time, in such situations I felt so ashamed I couldn’t bring myself to stay in that hospital room with her, so I just leave as soon as I come stating a meaningless excuse.

After that I tried as much as possible to avoid her, but one strange day she woke up early, something she has never done, I saw her with our kids and she asked me to eat, I was left wondering if she was alright.

She didn’t stop at that she went as far as ruining my clothes in attempted laundry, and almost burnt down the house in cooking, what kind of a woman cooks and the entire kitchen gets burnt had I not arrived in time and noticed the smoke, she could have hurt herself.

My dear wife never says thank you, only if the gift is to her liking in which case it has to worth thousands of dollars, she was raised a princess and intended living as one at all cost, she speaks her mind if your gift is too cheap as with your clothes and everything. She never says please either, apologising is not her way of life, so I was surprised when she texted me she liked the perfume I bought her, I did’nt, my PA buys her gifts, with the a criteria of what ever is most expensive at the time.

So my surprise had no bounds when my sister called me that she came to apologise and I knew instantly that she was upto something, I just didn’t know what so I asked her and she said she was trying to salvage our marriage, she was at it and she changed considerably and she started giving me attention. The day her sister ran away, I could feel her pain and somehow the lost glory days of our marriage returned.

I know what my wife likes, expensive stuff especially expensive cars so I bought her what I knew she would appreciate on our anniversary, A Ferrari , and she loved it, she surprised me too with a romantic dinner.

‘You can’t just leave me like that.’ Nadia said when I told her we had to stop seeing eachother, we’ve had that conversation before and she always wins.

‘Nadia you have to understand, I can’t do this anymore it’s sinful, think of what would happen if Ladidi ever found out.’

‘She won’t, we’ll be discreet, like we always have.’ She pleaded.

‘No, not this time, I’m serious.’

‘What would become of me.’ She said looking devastating.

‘You have to understand, what if you were Ladidi how would you feel.’ She was silent and I just couldn’t imagine what was running through her mind.

This time I will be firm I must stop cheating on my wife, if she’s making an effort I should too.

Nadia was not making it easy for me, infact she claimed to be seeing things that are not there like blood writings on her mirror that disapear at instances in fact she’s been acting deluded like she was on dope or something, the more I tried leaving the worst she got.

One fine day, I went to work just like every other day and everything else was normal, until Mudassar my financial director came into my office sweating and my office is fully air conditioned.

‘Muddasar what is it, is your wife in labour?’ He gave me a look and ignored my statement.

‘There is a big problem.’

‘Problem?’

‘Our accounts have been hacked.’

‘What is that, some kind of prank, April has passed.’

‘No we’re going bankrupt, this morning all figures came crashing down, I thought our computers were faulty.’

‘That is not possible, we’ve the best cyber security, it’s not possible.’

‘Yes,I don’t know how but a professional yahoo boy has hacked it stolen half of our entire money.’

‘How is that even possible, money can’t just fly out of our accounts.’

‘I don’t know but money has gone missing via net transfer.’

I fell on my chiar, my dad entrusted his company to me, I made it flourish and now we’ll all be broke?

‘What do we do, how do we find the money?’

‘We’ll have to investigate, your father and Ahill are co owners they have to be informed.’

My heart was racing, Ahill will finally say that he said so, he should’ve been the boss.

‘Do what ever you have to do Mudassar.’

My phone rang, I ignored but it kept on ringing I took it and smashed it. I was still thinking of what do to get out this mess when Mudassar came back.

‘Sir they’re debts that could run us down faster.’

‘Of course there should be, whats your point.’ I snapped.

‘We should return that Ferrari and your Bentley muslanne, they were actually bought on installments, that will free us from some millions of dollars.’

‘I already said you should what you’ve to do.’

My secretary came in.

‘Can’t you knock?’

‘I have been knocking since, Sir pls do you know any Miss Nadia Muktari.’

‘What, how the hell did she know about Nadia

‘Seems like your cell phone is switched off, We got a call from a hospital that you’re listed as her next of kin and she’s been involved in an accident.’

I rushed to the hospital, I was shocked, they said her tire busted and her car went over the bridge but she was rescued on time but in pretty bad shape. I settled the bills and was about leaving when Mudassar came into the hospital panting.

‘Where is your phone?’ He asked.

‘I don’t know.’ Remembering I threw it in my office.

‘Your house is on fire.’

‘What!!!, how, my house or the office.’

‘No your house where you live is burning.’

Together we rushed home and behold my house was on fire but hopefully only the left wing, I rushed inside shouting for my wife.

‘She don travel.’ My gateman said.

‘Travelled?

‘Yes she and the pikins and Ladi.’

I went inside, firefighters were already taking care of the fire I found my wife’s phone and a note beneath it, I picked it up before I could read it I heard a loud honk, door banging and brash footsteps.

‘Ahill why are you angry.’ I asked as he stepped in menacingly.

‘You whore.’

‘Ahill am a man, you don’t call men that. ‘

‘Who cares for your english, you’re a disgrace, in fact you’re dead.’

‘Ahill I can explain and I will get out this mess.’ , he laughed a terifing laughter, I was wondering how badly the missing money affected him.

‘Not bad, porn star.’ He said with a sly smile and left.

Pornstar? What the hell is Ahill talking about, my hands began to sweat, I noticed the note and it read, “ I know you’re sleeping with my friend, but it could’ve been anyone but Nadia???” I was still shaking and thinking how Ladidi found out, and could she have run away when Mudassar tapped me mercilessly.

‘Boss I need to show you something.’

‘Wait first Mudassar, I need to check something.’ I rushed to our bedroom and checked my wife’s closet, her clothes didn’t seem missing but I found visa applications, I knew she had left me.

‘Mudassar today is the blackest day of my life, my business is ruined, my girlfriend could be dead by now, my house is on fire and my wife left with my kids.’ I placed both my hands on my head.

‘I’m dead.’ I added.

Boss.’ Mudassar’s voice came.

‘The day has not black finish O!!’

‘What is left, all is lost.

‘One more thing, me and many others received a video of you, may be your wife saw it too.’ I checked her phone immediately and I did see a video of me andj Nadia, porn video, Ahill had seen it too and came to gloat, Ladidi had seen this, even Mudassar and many others, a sharp pain cut across my chest an.....

Episode 15 coming soon... wait for i
t

Vengeance-(Episode 11)

I watched as Asad feigned tiredness and filled me up with lies of the trip, this was the man I loved. He was sleeping with my supposed best friend.

‘You must be tired, though I’ve never been to Porthacourt by road I know it must be terribly far.’

‘It is, I really missed you.’ He said.

He went to take a shower and left his phone. Password protected his phone from the world but not me as I could hack it which I did and went through his messages and calls, they were constantly in touch and Nadia was Leila from all indications.

‘Hmmm dinner is delicious today Asad said as he carefully picked food from his plate in the Asad manner, which means perfection. ‘Did you cook it?’

‘Yes.’ I lied, Mr kweke had made it.

I sat opposite Asad and we eat,

‘Sahiba is calling you.’He said passing my phone which I forgot by his side while serving to me, I got up and quickly collected the phone.

‘Hey who is this Sahiba getting you all jittery.’

‘My friend , am supposed to go see her tomorrow.’ I lied.

‘Who is she?’

‘You don’t know her.’

He looked up, ‘how?’ He asked, cause we existed in a small circle where Asad knows virtually everyone I knew cause it had to be someone who was something in the society.

‘She’s Tanveer’s cousin, we attended the same high school.’ I lied again.

‘Okay at least pick her call.’ He said pointing at the phone that was still ringing.

‘Okay.’ I said and excused myself. Despite the air conditioning I felt hot as I walked to the balcony praying Asad does not notice my agitation.

‘Ghazali I told you not to call, you did, that too several times are you out of your mind, my husband is home.’

‘Ladidi you a smart woman, am sure you can get around Asad.’

‘Get to the point.’

‘Your second consignment is ready, peace park 2pm sharp.’

‘It’s too open, can’t it be somewhere a little more private.’ The line went dead.

‘Where is too open.’ Asad’s voice came from behind, I jolted but composed myself immediately.

‘The venue for our party.’ I lied yet again.

‘That’s all you ladies ever do.’ He said jokingly.

‘Well if someone is earning the money someone has to spend it.’ I added jokingly too.

At 1:55pm, under the hot blazing sun I was at peace park, I had come by a taxi and dressed down to camouflage but any one who knew me would have easily recognized me.

At exactly 2pm Ghazali appeared from no where. ‘I said 2pm not 1:55.’ He said startling me.

‘Does it matter?’ I snapped, he shrugged and handed me the keys to a brand new toyota venza.

‘That one he said pointing towards the direction of a new car. ‘What ever you’re doing my hands are out.’ He warned.

‘Don’t worry, here is your balance.’I said and handed him a leather bag filled with dollars, his ugly face turned into a smile.

‘That will take care of about everything.’ I said and headed towards the direction of the new car.

Since I discovered Asad and Nadia I have been stalking them, I even rented a flat in the estate where Nadia stayed so I could monitor them well, that was where I parked the venza which I use to follow them whenever they went out, when I took the venza A gun was in the glove compartment as part of the consignment.

Asad frequented the place, sometimes I’d call to hear him lie that he was in a meeting. I sent visa applications to 4 different embassies, all that I either did in the house close to Nadia’s or in the spear room in our left wing.

Now I was seating patiently waiting for Asad and Nadia to leave as they usually did at this time, so I can get into the house and start my job.

Finally they left, wonder why he’s always taking her out.

As soon as they left, I walked over to the house confidently using the back door and the key that Ghazali gave me and I got in.

I have never been there, even when we were friends, she was always the one visiting me, I never cared to know about her. Her house was beautiful in a cheap way, am sure she would assume she was living an expensive life with all the money Asad must be paying her for using her body, but all I could see was filth and cheap.

I went to her bedroom, it has to be for the other room had no bed, if they had to do it, it has to be on a bed, the room was very tidy, it showed signs of Asad as everything was in perfect order. I carefully rummaged through her things, her closet was filled with cheap clothing and I wondered if Asad was paying her enough or he was his usual stingy self.

I found where she kept her undies, I brought out a spray bottle from my hand bag accidentally it poured on me, I panicked and rubbed it on my skin. It contained a mixture of hard and illegal drugs Ghazali had supplied me, I had mixed it with water to make its effects slow but sure, I sprayed her undies, her clothes and shoes, with an amount I was sure her skin will definitely absorb, as I sprayed a little amount of it kept splashing on me, next I went to her toilet and injected the same thing into her face wash, bath gel, cleanser and all her cosmetics I avoided the hand wash cause Asad was going to use it.

Her kitchen was next, I wanted to do the same to her food stuff, but I thought what if Asad should eat with her, I checked her fridge there I found orange juice, Asad does not take orange, he was allergic to it, I injected it in every one of the juice pack.

Since I graduated from school, I had never used my knowledge for anything except for pranks, days ago as I mixed LSD and heroin and other incriminating drugs in a bottle, risking my self as bits kept splashing on me and I must have inhaled some too.

I thought of another way to keep tabs on Asad, by planting wireless micro cams in Nadia’s bedroom to see what goes on in there, I was about placing the cam when I heard someone fiddling with the door, the owner of the house was home, what Will I do.

She was already inside, I couldn’t escape now, I heard as her footsteps approached the room. I quickly squatted behind the bed.

Nadia got into her room, and checked herself in the mirror, sprayed herself with more perfume added more lipstick to her lips that were fat already and entered the toilet.

An Idea struck me, she would soon be mad any ways, it wouldn’t be bad if the symptoms start today. I got up and hurriedly wrote on the mirror with her max lipstick. ” you bitch your end is near”, I went back to my position, seconds later she emerged and she saw it and let out an ear piercing scream and ran out.

I quickly got up, took out one of her undies and cleaned it and went back to my position. She came in with Asad.

She walked timidly behind Asad, I stifled a laugh as they both went to the mirror and it was clean.

‘Where is it?’ Asad asked.

‘It was here.’

‘Where?’

‘On the mirror.’

‘Nadia it seems you’re loosing your mind.’

‘No Asad it was here, when I came out of the toilet.’

‘What about before you went in?’

‘It wasn’t there.’

‘Are you doing this because of what I said?’

‘No.’ She shook her head vigorously.

‘Look Nadia, you have to understand why am taking that decision.’

She started crying and Asad hugged her, if any of them had looked behind they would have seen me.

They left and I continued what I came for, putting the cams on four corners so as to get a full vantage of everything that went down.

I smiled as I left the house, because I was going to make a movie of Asad and his lover.

Vengeance-(Episode 10)

They say every dark cloud has a silver lining, maybe it should have been every silver lining comes with a dark cloud. I was living in cloud nine thinking I had my husband back after my hard work. Somehow the flames of vengeance raging inside me had quelled, I thought I had a fistful of sky, then it turned to be a fistful of my illusions, the dream I wove all shattered.

My pillow is soaked all through with crying non stop, this pain is worse than being beaten black and blue, it eats me from the inside, waking the sleeping beast I had managed to calm down. It all began two weeks ago. Asad came home and said he would be going on a two weeks business trip to Porthacourt, as a dutiful wife I helped in packing his bags which he lets me do now. ‘I’ll miss you’ I said hugging him from behind. He turned around and embraced me, kissing me on my lips, something we rarely did before. ‘I’ll miss you more but its just two weeks and I’ll miss you all through.’ He said. I saw him off to the car, he said he’ll go by road, strange but I didn’t bother.

I was left at home alone pinning for my husband and having a good time with my kids. I decided to check on Mama and see how she was coping since Najma has left. I met Sara, Noora and Nafisa there, we stayed a while then Nafisa and I excused ourselves. ‘Nafisa am glad you gave me that advice, Asad has changed and we’re very happy now.’ ‘Am glad you’re happy.’ She said in a downcast voice. ‘What’s wrong, you sound down.’ ‘Abhas wants to marry another wife.’ ‘What!!!’ I screamed. ‘Keep your voice down, he says he loves me all the same besides polygamy is not a crime but its normal for me to feel sad.’

I looked at Nafisa she was a matrimonial model, the one with the perfect marriage now this, I hugged her and she cried, for the first it was me drying Nafisa’s tears. On my way home I couldn’t fanthom the fact that Abhas could think of another woman apart from Nafisa, their love was like the epic story of king Edward VIII and wallis, he gave up his father’s wealth for her as the king abdicated his throne for Wallis for what seemed to the society a scandalous affair.

I drove into Jabi lake to clear my head, I walked by lakeside, then I caught a whiff of a familiar scent, the kind you recognized anywhere because you’re just familiar with it. I turned and saw Asad not too far from me, a woman by his side. He’s supposed to be in Porthacourt, what is he doing here that too with a woman. I remembered​ Mama lamenting that all men were the same disgusting animals that do not deserve to be loved. Even if Asad was going to take a woman out did it have to be here so close to our house.

They stopped, he smiled at her, his heart melting smile and he kissed her, with the same mouth he used to kiss me that too in public. She turned her face, that was when my heart stopped she was no stranger, she was Nadia my friend, We had stopped communicating along the line. She was now kissing my husband, could she have been the woman all along that kept Asad from me.

I walked back to my car and drove home and cried and cried until my tears dried out and I had banging headache, This time Asad must pay and Nadia her life will come crashing down like a pack of cards. ‘You’re threading on a dangerous path.’ Ghazali said leaning on his old Toyota camry, his eyes travelling down my body, the nerve of that illiterate. ‘That’s none of your business, just give me what I want.’ I snapped. He thrusted a white bag at me, I took it and checked the contents it seemed complete. I dropped it in my car and flung a brown envelope to him, he caught it smoothly and peeped into it. ‘Euros, not bad!.’ ‘Just get lost.’ ‘Ladidi, if you or anyone else is caught with that stuff in or outside your body you’ll either go to jail or end up in a mental asylum.’ He said with seriousness. ‘When I need you again I’ll call you.’ I said and left. Ghazali is a son to one of my father’s workers, we grew up in same vicinity and I knew he had a thing for me, from the way he always gazed at me.

I looked at the bag, it contained what I’ll use to destroy Asad and Nadia. It could have been any other woman, but my best friend am sure he knew if I found out he would surely pay for it, stupid fellows. When I got home I cleaned out one of the rooms in the left wing, actually I had Ladi do it, when she left I emptied the contents of the white bag on the bed, I took a bottle labelled LSD and opened it, I smelt and I knew it was real. I was about closing it when a loud hone interrupted me and it accidentally poured on my fingers, Asad was home, I hurriedly covered it, in my haste more poured on my feet and clothes. I locked the door and went to the toilet to wash up.

Episode 11 drops tomorrow..

Vengeance-(Episode 9)

I wasn’t sure if Sanam would forgive me, but I thought I should try harder by patronising her friend’s saloon. The saloon was definitely not the type I visited with all the middle class clients, I felt terrible there, the things I was doing for the sake of Asad, putting my sanity on the line. Hajara recognized me immediately, ‘Hajiya Shahnaz.’ She chirped.

I was given grand treatment, I was washing my hair and praying for it to be over soon, I just needed the message to pass to Sanam and then to Asad. Finally I was leaving when a lady walked up to me with a Tozali magazine. ‘Please is this you?’ She said showing me an old issue. ‘Yes.’ I said trying hard to smile. ‘Wow, that’s my friend by your side.’ ‘Which one?’ ‘Lami Zakari.’ ‘From where did you know her.’ ‘We attended the same secondary school, FGGC Kano.’

A smile spread across my face because Lami told everyone she schooled in London. She happened to marry an old minister years ago and has been feeling too big for her shoes now, I took her number and promised to call her, which I did and Invited her to the party. The party was a success, though I was the host I arrived the party late in order to make a grand entrance with my new Ferrari berlinetta.

My maids were there to serve, I had insisted, I also insisted that my gateman and Gardner come along to help, they needed to witness Lami’s disgrace and humiliation. I was wearing a blue Fendi gown and I felt regal, my bruised ego and broken confidence was gradually returning as Asad was now giving me attention.

Sara was indeed pleasantly surprised, most of our family and friends were present we were having nice time. Ramatu the lady from Hajara beauty parlour was there, I introduced her to Tanveer as Lami’s guest, and Tanveer got to asking her questions as she was not satisfied with the lady’s cheap outfit. She on the other hand started talking incessantly spilling all her secrets. Tanveer together with Ramatu approached where Lami was seated with her friends.

There was no how she could deny Ramatu as she walked up to her. ‘Lami, your friend here hasn’t seen you in a long time.’ Tanveer said. Ramatu on the other hand hugged Lami tightly, ‘you remember me don’t you from FGGC Kano?’ She asked. Lami was speechless as Ramatu made a spectacle of them now. ‘I’m not sure.’ she stammered.’ ‘Common, Lami she knows everyone in your family she has told us everything.’ Tanveer said smilingly. Lami was muted. ‘When you married the minister, I tried hard to contact you but to no avail, seems like you forgot your old friends.’ Ramatu said all smiles. Everyone thought Lami had lived and schooled in east london, she even faked the accent, she chose east london because she knew non of us would have lived or visited there. ‘Now are you sure Ramatu, because Lami here schooled in east london.’ Tanveer said to refresh everyone’s memory. ‘Am sure’ I still have our school pic, the one we took after our final exams.’ She said and produced an old picture which Tanveer took and was able to identify Lami looking very ridiculous in the check uniform.

She passed it round for all to see. ‘Now now this is surely Lami, am sure we had a misconception about you, I always had a doubt as you produced no school mate nor friend from east London.’ Tanveer said. Now Lami had stares from all directions she was obviously uncomfortable, and was about to leave in shame but that was not enough for me, I needed to make my next move fast. I quickly went to the rest room and dropped the second of the bangle I gave Tanveer which was identical and told Ladi to stand guard and tell anyone who came that I was inside. I went to Lami and initiated a conversation with her, I deliberately dropped red wine on her dress, I apologized profusely and led her to the restroom.

I knew lami had eye for beautiful things and would surely slip the bangle in her bag she would also like to get back at Tanveer at her earlier embarrassment. When she came out I entered and saw the bangle missing. I was happy and approached Tanveer and stealthily unclasped the bangle from her wrist and hid it. ‘Tanveer where is your bangle?’ I faked a surprise, gasped and dramatically put my hands on chest. She touched her wrist and surprise flooded her face, frantically she looked around, and there was a search. ‘No one here can stoop so low to steal even if it fell off your wrist.’I said. ‘Maybe there is someone, the one who stooped that low to lie about her schooling.’ She took her phone and called the police, yes Tanveer had police men outside I insisted for safety. ‘Lami was ambushed as she was about to leave the party. ‘Please we have to check you ma’am.’ The police men said to Lami. ‘What who authorised you?’ She was trying to salvage the little dignity she had left. ‘I did.’ Tanveer said appearing from their back, she had already made a fuss and people were looking at Lami hoping to find out what was going on. ‘Why?’ Lami said holding her bag tight. ‘Just oblige.’ Tanveer said in an icy tone. Her bag was taken and she was frisked, the bangle was found in her bag by then everyone had gathered Tanveer blew the matter out of proportion and ordered the arrest of Lami for theft and she was handcuffed and led out disgracefully, she was crying and begging for mercy from Tanveer but she didn’t budge, Infact she would broadcast it to everyone by morning Lami most definitely wont be able to show her face anywhere by the time Tanveer was through with her. I went to her ‘You actually stole, but not from Tanveer.’ I said and showed a glimpse of the Identical piece. Her eyes widened. ‘Ladidi you.’ ‘Yes me, when you’re out of jail you can come along with your prayer warriors plus I invited your FGGC sweetheart Ramatu’ I met her at Hajara saloon.’ I said with a smile of fulfillment on my face, I like to punish people who mess with me, but not directly, I prefer to just create the circumstances, she was dragged out and Tanveer apologized to everyone and the party continued.

what are your thoughts on the story so far???

Episode 9 drops tomorrow.

Vengeance-(Episode 8)

The vibration of my phone woke me up, it was 4:00am in the morning Asad was still sleeping, he looked so innocent and I thought if I stabbed him now, it would be an easy escape for him and I would end up in jail for murder, but it has to be precise, he has to feel every pain I felt both physical and emotional. I checked my phone and saw 18 missed calls, 12 from Sara and 6 from Mama. I quickly called Sara back.

‘Is Najma with you?’ She asked immediately I picked.

‘Yes.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Let me check her room?’ I cut the call and dashed to guestroom where she was sleeping and she was gone.

My phone was ringing again.

‘Sara she’s not here.’

‘My God.’

‘What happened?’

‘She ran away.’

I ran to my room and shook Asad, he looked at me with sleepy eyes.

‘What is the time?’ He asked.

‘Najma has run away.’ I yelled.

‘What!!.’ He said and sat up, sleep leaving him.

‘I have to go home right now, Mama called me.’ I said frantically.

‘Calm down its too early, I’ll take you in the morning Brunkus can take the kids to school.’

We watched as Baba paced up and down and rained abuses on Mama, who in turn was mute like he was a mad man raving all by himself.

‘I give you everything, yet you can’t take of my children, just tell your daughter that she is dead to me.’ He said finally and stormed out.

Sara told us all that led Najma to take that drastic step.

Najma had just graduated and wanted to pursue her career by working but Baba would not hear of it, instead he planned her marriage to man a called Sultan.

‘Sultan is old.’ Noora had shrieked when she heard.’

‘Its the first son from his youngest wife Bibi, Sara said.

Najma would not hear of it, and she packed as much cash and jewelry as she could and left the country, Baba had received a call from someone that one of his daughters boarded a plane to Dubai, he contacted his contacts in Dubai and he was later told that she left for Abu Dhabi immediately, from there her trail was lost. Najma had disobeyed and embarrassed Baba and defamed our family and I wondered why she refused to marry Sultan who was a very handsome, intelligent young man from a wealthy home.

I was sad, so were my sisters and brothers, Abhas came and consoled Nafisa and surprisingly Asad came to me too, those moments marked the begining of our bonding moments. He almost became the Asad I had once fallen in love with.

though I acted as a changed person and Asad was slowly changing I still nurtured my schemes of vengeance and Lami was still on my mind for what she did. I was planning a surprise for Asad on our anniversary, but he beat me to it by gifting me my dream car, a red Ferrari F12 berlinetta the latest in the Ferrari series 2013 model, with engine of 740 hp, 6.3 ltr, v-12. I was wild with happiness and almost forgot about my hidden hatred towards him, we relived our first Ferrari drive 10 years ago, with me telling him all about the car, it seemed as if the old Asad was back.

I decorated our living room to a romantic setting and had Mr Kweke assist me in making dinner. A table for two, continental dishes, expensive champagne, candle lights. Everything was set with a sexy wife dressed in a red Armani tube dress, my hair flying and Cartier shimmering on my neck, ears and wrist.This is the very first time I have tried to please and seduce Asad throughout our marriage.

‘Surprise.’ I said basking in the glory of my red dress and diamonds as Asad entered our living room, the expression on his face told me he was pleasantly surprised.

‘This is the best anniversary ever.’ He said as he drew me into his arms, I could see love and desire in his eyes as we danced to Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’s endless love classic, The things I felt as we were together made me wish we had no differences between us and at that slight moment I wanted to forget my plight the beatings and abuses I’ve received and endured.

‘Did you ever love anybody before me?’ Asad asked me, his breadth was hot on my face

‘No.’ I whispered to his ears even though there was no space between us and he could have heard.

‘What of you, do you love another apart from me?’ I dared to ask.

He was silent for a while, then he said.

‘I love you so much, as no man has ever loved any woman on earth.’ His reply was heart wrenching, though he did not agree he loved only me he made feel special, that night I put all my plans on hold.

I was actually considering becoming a good person but I was still going to seek revenge on Lami for humiliating me and I was going to let her do it herself I would just create the circumstances. I took out my diamond Ruby encrusted bangle, to gain I had to loose and I headed to visit Tanveer.

I was sure to check everything I was wearing from my designer head scarf, to my channel clutch and Prada stilettos before going, Tanveer welcomed me and we sat at her grand pavilion, she critically examined everything I wore at glance.

‘Tanveer this place is amazing, its so beautiful.’ I said as we relaxed in her beautiful pavilion.

‘My architecture from Korea erected it for me.’ She said proudly.

‘I rained more praises on the pavilion and asked if I could use it to throw Sara a surprise birthday party, and she agreed.

As she saw me off to my car, Asad’s “Bentley muslanne”I told her that she would be the host and invite people so Sara doesn’t get a whiff of the surprise and she agreed.

I also persuaded her to accept the bangle as a token of our friendship and to promise to wear it for the party.

I mailed her the guest list and Lami was on it, she would be my last conquest, I had decided to forget about Asad and his mistress whose identity I still didn’t know despite my thorough investigation.

Episode 9 drops tomorrow

Vengeance-(Episode 7)

I woke early the following day, Asad was already up praying, he’d stop waking me a long time due to my unyielding habit, I made my way to the toilet, I knew he would be thinking whatever this girl is up to, but my love you must fall this time, so I can crush you I thought. I prayed and went to check on the kids, Asad jnr was already on the dinning table having breakfast, he was surprised to see me.

‘Ammi are you alright.’ He said with a bewildered expression.

‘Yes of course, I just want to see you.’ I said.

Just then, shazia and Nazia came in, they looked so much like me.

‘Ammi.’ They said and stopped on their tracks, Sakki came along too holding Amir, I scooped him up and kissed him, he too was shocked but then he held my neck with his tiny hands. We had a good time, they told me that daddy will be coming for their PTA meeting today, honestly I forgot about all those things when I left school. Amir said he got a new friend in school and Shazia said she was the prettiest girl in school. Sakki was the lady that looked after my kids from childhood, just as Bakshi had raised us all, Baba’s PA attended all our school functions, so I thought that Asad’s PA would be attending all my kid’s functions too, He too came in and asked if they were ready.

‘Won’t you have breakfast?’ I asked, He gave me strange look.

‘No.’ He said coldly, but I was not going to give up after one try. When he left Sakki told me he doesn’t take breakfast.

So Asad takes them to school, I didn’t know about that. They left and I watched them from the veranda as they got into Asad’s jeep and zoomed off, Ladi was cleaning the parlor, I saw maids sweeping and packing leaves downstairs, I visited the kitchen, they were so busy they didn’t notice my presence, my cook was flirting with one of the maids, so much happens before I wake up I thought. I needed to take a break from diamond necklaces world and check the real world.

I googled how to cook and recipes in my ipad, finally I settled for rice and stew it seemed the easiest, the problem was that I have never cooked before.

I went to kitchen gripping my ipad as if the video would suddenly disappear from You Tube. Mr kweke the head cook saw me and hurried towards me, his fat body moving like Barney’s.

‘Hajiya.’ He said breathlessly, he had just moved a short distance.

‘Mr kweke I will be cooking today, so you may all vacate the kitchen for the time being.’ His small eyes widened, I had the urge to say something nasty to him but Nafisa’s advice was fresh on my mind.

‘It’s alright, Mr kweke, I just feel like cooking today, you may bring the utensils out for me.’ I read the ingredients from the ipad, he complied and arranged everything for me.

Now with no one but me in the kitchen the size intimidated me. I played the video and tried following the steps but many things went wrong. For one I couldn’t pour oil from its container and ended up with most of it on the floor and lots on the burner, the stew tasted bitter so I added sugar, I burnt my hand while taking the lid off the pot, I forgot to use a rag, the stew burnt and I was thrown into a coughing spree. When I looked up smoke filled everywhere the burner was on fire, the flames glaring at me looked like an inferno and the last thing I remembered was falling into Asad’s arms.

When I woke up, Asad’s eyes were looking directly into mine, I coughed and he handed me a glass of water. I hurriedly gulped it down and gave him the glass back.

‘What is going on in your head?’ He asked. I didn’t answer.

‘Are you okay, or are you going mad?’ He asked again, I still didn’t answer.

‘Tell me so that I’ll know whether or not to send you a mental asylum?’ Asad must be sick I thought.

‘No am not mad.’ I replied.

‘Then what is this?’ He said showing me his clothes which were completely ruined by my attempt to wash them with the washing machine earlier.

‘I was trying to wash your clothes’ I said.

‘Why? and why were you trying to burn down the house?’ He asked suppressing his anger.

‘Am very sorry I ruined your clothes and almost burnt down the house.’ I said.

Asad’s pupil dilated, I have never used the word sorry before.

‘What the hell is wrong with you, did you hit your head?’

‘No.’

‘Then why have you been acting strange lately, Look what ever you’re up to you better stop before you either burn the house or kill yourself.’ He said and left. I smiled, no slap, no beating that means am getting somewhere.

I have been seeing our kids everyday now, and taking cooking lessons from Mr kweke, also I try by all means to keep our room tidy, and I now use the words “thank you, please and sorry” now even to the servants, I had check the dictionary for the meaning of empathy, sympathy and compassion before I could fully comprehend it.

Asad has been noticing the changes, but he’s been ignoring it,sooner or later he will bend. My next move must surely bring results. I was sure as I drove into Nia.I felt strange and when someone looked at me I’d think that they were thinking that this is the lady that is always brought here unconscious with blood stains from battering. I cautiously walked to the reception and fixed an appointment with Dr Sanam Raza Muktar, Asad’s sister.

Sanam’s gaze was deadly as she sat across me clad in her doctor’s white, I could trace out bits of Asad from her, had Asad been a woman he would have surpassed me in beauty, all Sanam had was bits of him. she was indeed a beautiful woman who chose to use her brain except in certain cases, she was one who didn’t learn her lesson on time, she had tried to get into my favor my taking over my case once when I was in Nia, but I reacted badly. I had woken up filled with bitterness and Sanam the culprit’s sister was treating me and I was like what the hell. ‘ ‘where is Dr zaks.’ I had screamed, soon Dr Zaks appeared and told me Sanam was handling my case.

‘Why?’

‘Dr Raza is very competent in her field.’ He said reassuringly.

‘I don’t care and I don’t want any mediocre doctor treating me.’ I said with other doctors and nurses present, Sanam walked out and since then kept her distance from me which was what I wanted.

Now her gaze was like a volcano waiting to erupt, ‘How may I help you?’ She asked her tone very professional. I greeted her but she did not answer, instead she took her intercom and queried if Dr Zaks was on leave as one of his patients was with her.

‘Sanam it’s you I came to see.’ I said, her silence was irritating, so I continued. ‘Please am sorry for what happened years ago.’ There was a shock expression on her face but she said nothing. ‘I know I was very wrong and I want to apologize and I hope you forgive me.’ I didn’t know if Sanam would forgive me or not and I cared less but she was sure to call Asad and that was my mission.

********

I was welcomed home by the sound of Najma’s startling laughter, she was playing with the twins, I paused and stared for a while, Najma did not inherit Mama’s beauty but if anybody asked me to describe Najma I would just sing Bruno Mars’s just the way you are.

Her eyes makes the stars look like they’re not shinning.

Her hair falls perfectly without her trying.

She’s so beautiful and I tell her everyday.

When I complement her she wont believe me.

It’s so sad to see that she don’t see what I see,

But every time she ask me do I look okay?

I say, When I see your face, there is not a thing that I will change,

Cus you are amazing just the way you are and when you smile the whole world stops and stares for a while.

She saw me and we greeted, I noticed a luggage by the side of the seat.

‘I take it you’re spending the night.’ I said. She nodded a yes all the while clutching to a bag tightly, I called Ladi to take her things to the guest room, when Ladi made for the bag she declined.

I was waiting patiently for Asad to return, Najma retired Early.

Soon I heard the sound of his Porsche Cayenne, I made sure the room was in perfect shape and entered the toilet. I came out after I heard the door opening and closing and Asad was gazing at himself in the mirror.

‘Welcome, how was your day?’ I asked.

‘Fine.’ He answered flatly, slowly he was pulling his clothes off and arranging them on a hanger, ” dirty clothes oh.”

‘Najma is sleeping here.’ I said trying to initiate a conversation. Remembering Nafisa’s talk to him advice.

‘Ok, how is she.’ He answered still looking at himself in the mirror.

‘Let me hang it .’ I said trying to take the hanger from him.

‘Let it be.’ He said and hung it himself.

‘Shahnaz’ he called, now that was trouble, whenever he called me Shahnaz I knew I was in trouble and I was wishing I let everything be.

‘What are you up to?’ Why did you go to Sanam.’

‘To apologize.’ Relieved that my plan has worked finally.

‘Look here you can do your silly little things at home but don’t try to hurt Sanam.’ His eyes were glaring hot fire.

‘I wasn’t trying to hurt her, I was only trying to rectify my mistake’. Asad backed me against the wall before the sentence ended.

‘Who put you up to this?’

‘No one.’ I muffled out, he had pinned my hands and tightened it as he asked further.

‘Who put you up to this?’

‘Nafisa.’ I shrieked and he released me immediately.

‘What?’ He asked disbelievingly.

‘I asked her to tell me the secret of a happy marriage, because am tired of fighting all the time.’ I said.

‘What did she tell you?’

‘To love you so much, so much you have no choice but to love me back,but I don’t think I can ever win your love I said and burst into tears, Asad was silent for a while then he got up and left then he returned with tissue, he helped me up.

episode 8 drops tomorro
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Vengeance-(Episode 6)

Its been 3 weeks since I was discharged from the hospital and everything is very much the same, Asad going about his business like I didn’t exist.

Later that day Ladi was oiling my hair, when we heard a ruckus being created downstairs, I asked Ladi to check, I waited when she didn’t return I went to see for my self.

There were two men in white robes and and red ribbons around their waist, with white flabby caps they were running around sprinkling water and ringing bells in my compound. They had 2 policemen with them, the gate men and the workers were trying to stop them but they were intimidated by the men in police uniforms.

‘What is going on?’ I asked the policemen.

‘We were called.’

‘By whom?’

‘Ma’am we understand you are a victim of domestic abuse.’ They said without bothering to answer my question.

‘What, who authorized you to come and say this rubbish here?’ if you dont leave my premises I’ll make sure you don’t wear that uniform again.’ I said.

‘Ma’am we understand you’re afraid.’

I was puzzled, what the hell was going on, who gave these filthy men the gods to come to my house.

Just then the men wringing the hand bells and running in circles came and circled me, they chanted, while moving round, and sprayed water on me

‘You shall be delivered in God’s name, the devil shall fail.’ They said.

I felt I was being assaulted, I covered my ears with hand shut my eyes, stop I screamed.

The police men watched amused, I saw when I opened my eyes, they were enjoying the show.

Just then Lami walked in, Lami happened to be my “frenemy”, we’ve had tiffs but I couldn’t remember the last time I saw her.

‘Ladidi, I asked them to come pray for you.’ She said an evil smile playing on her lips.

‘Why?’

‘Because you need prayers.’

‘Ask them to stop.’I screamed.

‘Ok,’ she said cooly, she lifted her hand gave a wave and they were gone.

‘Why did you do that?’ I questioned panting my hands on my chest.

‘To help you.’ She was glowing from the pleasure she derived from my humiliation.

‘What for?’

‘We all know why you visit Nia once in a while.’

‘Lami.’

‘Remember what happened at the Safina’s launching, consider this a payback.’ I couldn’t remember what happened.

She smiled and walked out, I had the urge to tell her to watch her back, as I was going to deal with her but I refrained. Something will surely hit Lami, but it will be what and when she least expected.

I laughed, as I mentally checked the list of people on my strike back list. Hmmm lami became no 3 cos 1&2 is still Asad and his mistress whose identity is still unknown.

I went back, ignoring the stares of my servants, they had just witnessed my humiliation, well they just have to witness lami’s own too. I had an an appointment by noon. I was going to see Nafisa. She happens to be a crucial part of my vengeance plan.

I set out, appreciating glances of admiration from onlookers as I cruised in Asad’s Bentley muslanne.

I wandered why Abhas and Nafisa chosen to stay in Gwarinpa when they could afford a house any where, my major problem with the area is keke napep, they crowded the road and you get the feeling of driving through a rural area.

I saw Nafisa outside watering her beautiful garden. She dropped the hose or whatever she was holding, removed her gloves and wiped her hands on her apron.

‘Ladidi.’ She exclaimed like she hadn’t seen me for years.

I answered back in sarcasm and called her name in high pitch too.

‘Nafisa,’she rushed over to hug me, she stopped abruptly, like she saw something scary.

We went inside, she served me drinks, and sat opposite me like she didn’t want her body to have any contact whatsoever with me.

‘How is Asad and the kids?’

‘They are fine I suppose.’

‘You suppose.’

‘Yes, I haven’t seen them today.’

‘Ok.’

I asked after my brother and the kids. She told me they were in school. Her Tv set was tunned to Zee tv. We talked about the serials we watched.

I noticed the family pictures, they were all smiling unlike us who had serious expression, ‘how come Abhas is different from us?’ I asked.

‘I don’t know.’ She answered.

‘Maybe because he met you.’ I said and Nafisa blushed, seriously she was blushing because I mentioned Abhas.

After beating around the bush I came to the point.

‘Nafisa,’ I began not sure if I should continue and just pretend I actually came to see her.

‘Hmmm.’ She prompted.

‘You see, I want Asad to love me the way Abhas loves you, so if you can tell me the secret.’

‘Ladidi why did you think there’s a secret?’

‘What else could it be?’, I asked.

‘Can’t he just love me?’

I gave her strange look, ‘Nafisa with that protruding teeth and large feet that seem to be bigger than Adnan’s.’ Adnan has the biggest feet ever.

She shifted uncomfortably and looked away, maybe I saw a glint of tears in her eyes and somehow I felt bad, though am not used to apologizing I wanted to badly.

She smiled, I felt relieved I didn’t know what I would do if she started crying though it was unlikely that Nafisa would cry.

‘So you’re asking for my help Ladidi.’ She put so much emphasis on the “DI”.

‘Yes.’ I said shifting uncomfortably.

Just then her kids burst into the house like detonated bomb, they gave me a chorused greeting.

They jumped on Nafisa, she hugged and she pecked them on the cheeks, they bombarded her with tales,

‘Shamsiya where is your socks?’ Nafisa asked scrutinising the girl with her eyes.

The girl opened her mouth and covered it her hand. ‘I removed it after sport and forgot it on the sport field.’ Nafisa scolded her and told her to return it tomorrow.

And I was thinking, it must be designer socks.

The noise was starting to irritate me so I bid adieu to Nafisa, she promised to come the following day.

As promised Nafisa came clad in cheap outfit, the smell of cheap perfume followed her. But I was overwhelmed by her coming I didn’t comment.

After exchanging pleasantries I looked at her, Nafisa seemed to be carried away as she looked at any and everything that her eyes saw in my living room.

‘Nafisa.’ I called her attention, She looked at me, ‘I got carried away, every time I come here its seems like I have’nt been here before, its so beautiful.’ She said.

I smiled, ‘I do get a lot.’ I said.

‘Our discussion,’ I began, to tell me the secret.

She smiled, shifted and relaxed like she’d won an argument.

‘Like I said before no secret,’she paused, her expression turned very serious she opened her mouth to talk then stopped again, my patience was running out like air from a punctured balloon.

‘Nafisa talk if you’re actually going to say something.’ I said with my voice laced with small anger.

‘Hmmmmm’, she began, I love your brother and he loves me. But love alone can’t sustain a marriage.’

‘Ok.’

‘All you have to do is love him so much, so much he has no choice but to love you back.’

‘Not just me anybody would love Asad if they haven’t got close enough to know the stuff he’s made of.’

‘And you Ladidi, what stuff are you made of.’

It was my turn to shift uncomfortably, I was silent, after a while I told her I didn’t know.

‘That’s it, people are molded according to the circumstances they find themselves.’ Nafisa said.

‘So you’re saying Asad is justified for all he’s done.’ I asked.

‘Not at all, in fact he’s very wrong, but desperate times calls for desperate measures.’

‘So how do I love Asad.’

‘By cooking for him, washing his clothes, talking to him, listening to him, taking care of his kids. Appreciating him, Knowing his likes and dislikes and……’

‘Wait a minute, cooking, washing are you kidding me.’ I asked.

‘No.’ She answered.

‘Then.’ I probed.

‘Ladidi, you need empathy and sympathy plus compassion to drive your marriage through these hard times, you think my marriage is perfect, but its not, I work continuously to keep it going because I love my husband.’

‘So where do I start from.’

‘When last did you get him a gift?’

‘I never buy him anything, that’s his part to play.’ I answered.

‘When last did he get you something.’

‘Yesterday a Nina ricci perfume, I don’t like the smell urrgh.’ I said squeezing my face.

‘Did you thank him, do you ever say thank you?’

‘No.’ I answered tentatively.

‘Why?’ OK say start now.’

‘But why should……’

‘No ladidi, she cut me off, try the things you never did.’ Always see your kids before they go to school, and treat everybody with kindness.

After the long lecture, Nafisa left to go and cook, and I was left pondering if I could do it, if I didn’t then I’d be Asad’s scapegoat for the rest of my life, if I have to get even then he has to become a henpecked husband like Abhas, then I took out my phone and sent a thank you text to Asad, saying that I loved the smell.