Rexsolomon Kluze

If you really want to be great at something you have to truly care about it. If you want to be great in a particular area, you have to obsess over it.

Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.

Be disciplined about what you respond and react to. Not everyone or everything deserves your time, energy, and attention. Stay in your light.

ABIODUN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It was a quiet afternoon. The sky was calm. The sun had gone down slowly, leaving a warm glow on the windows of the living room. Mr. Gabriel sat quietly on the couch, a glass of champagne in the table and he is reading newspaper . He looked relaxed, and happy.

The past few days had been strange. Sometimes, his head would feel light. Other times, he would forget things easily, even things that happened just yesterday. He didn’t know what was going on, but he kept telling himself it was stress from work.

Just then, the front door opened, and Madam Felicia entered, looking exhausted but cheerful.

“Oh honey, how did the meeting go?” Mr. Gabriel asked, folding the newspaper gently.

“It went well… Oh my God, I’m so tired,” she replied, dropping her bag on the couch and stretching.

“Sorry about that,” he said calmly, sipping from his glass again.

She turned her head toward the staircase. “Grace!” she called out.

No response.

“Grace!” she called again, louder this time.

Still no reply.

“Where is this girl sef?” she murmured, already walking towards her room.

When she opened Grace’s door, she met her lyiñg on the bed, holding her phone tightly, her head moving slowly to the beat of whatever she was listening to through her headphones.

Felicia’s eyes rolled. “Imagine this girl oo…”

She walked closer and tapped her roughly on the shoulder.

Grace jumped. “Oh mom, you’re back?” she asked, looking shocked.

Felicia hissed. “No, I’m still on the road,” she replied with sarcasm.

“Sorry,” Grace said, pulling off her headphones.

“Go to the kitchen and get me something to eat jare. I’m tired,” she said and walked off to her room to change.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel was out. He didn’t tell anyone where he was going to, not even Grace. He just quietly picked the car key and left the house.

His heart had been disturbed since morning. There was something about his father’s behavior that wasn’t sitting well with him. The man had started acting somehow. He would forget conversations, repeat himself, and sometimes just stare blankly like he was in another world.

Nobody really noticed because he still dressed well and smiled, but Emmanuel knew his father. This wasn’t the man that raised him.

But the worst part was what happened two nights ago.

He had sat with his father in the living room and brought up the topic of Abiodun.

“Dad, don’t you think we should go and see Abiodun at the hospital?” he had asked.

Mr. Gabriel looked at him blankly.

“Abiodun? Who is Abiodun?” he asked, genuinely confused.

Emmanuel’s heart skipped. “Dad… Abiodun now, your elder brother's son… Remember ?”

“I don’t remember anyone like that,” Mr. Gabriel replied and stood up like he was tired of the conversation.

That night, Emmanuel couldn’t sleep.

Now he was standing inside one of the biggest restaurants in town. The aroma of jollof rice, grilled chicken, and fried plantain filled the air.

He ordered food for Abiodun and also bought fruits. He didn’t forget Sammy too. That boy had been like a brother to Abiodun.

As he walked into the hospital, carrying the food bags, he smiled when he saw the two boys sitting and chatting.

“My people!” he shouted playfully.

“Boss man!” Sammy stood up excitedly.

Abiodun smiled wide. “See fresh food oo, Sammy said jokingly.... Emmanuel, you’re the best.”

They laughed and hugged.

They all sat down and opened the food. As they ate, they started talking and laughing like old times. But deep inside Emmanuel’s heart, he knew there was something he had to say.

“I tried to talk to my dad about you, Abiodun,” he said softly.

Abiodun paused and looked at him.

“What did he say?” he asked.

“He acted like he doesn’t know who you are,” Emmanuel replied.

Sammy frowned. “Are you serious?”

“I’m serious,” Emmanuel nodded. “It was as if he had never heard your name before.”

There was silence....

Sammy sighed deeply. “I think your mom is using chàrms on him. That’s not ordinary.”

“I’ve been suspecting too,” Emmanuel said. “I mean, she doesn’t allow anyone to enter your late parents’ room, Abiodun. It’s always locked.”

Abiodun dropped his spoon slowly. His heart became heavy. His eyes were now staring into nothing.

He nodded slowly. “I believe it too… But all I know is that my God will fight for me.”

His voice cracked as he said it.

Sammy looked at him. “Bro, we believe too. But we also need to pray hard.”

“I will pray,” Abiodun said, his voice stronger now. “Even if nobody believes me. I know my God sees everything.”

Tears were now standing in his eyes.

Emmanuel put his hand on his shoulder. “You are not alone. We’re with you. We’ll find out the truth… even if it takes time.”

They sat together in silence, their hearts heavy, their minds full of thoughts.

The day your dad denied me , I was shocked myself. I knew it wasn't ordinary.... Abiodun said.

But something was clear, there was more going on in that house than anyone could explain. And they all knew that whatever it was… was coming from Madam Felicia.

To be continued..... Can I get 100 shares here?

When Love Wasn't Enough

Episode 12

When they were done màking love, Somto laid her head on Nnamdi’s chèst, smiling so softly as she caught her breath.
“I have really missed this,” she whispered, her voice filled with satisfaction.

“Yeah, me too,” Nnamdi replied, brushing his fingers across her hair gently.

A calm silence settled, but Nnamdi broke it with a little sigh.
“I will have to go back home now, because I know my mom and sister will be so worried.”

Nnamdi pulled her close for one last embrace.
“Oh, that’s true. So, I will see you tomorrow, right?” She asked.

Yes, sure. I will come. He said

Somto said with a playful smile. “Make sure you come hungry tomorrow, because I’ll cook your favorite.”

“Sure,” Nnamdi chuckled. “You don’t trust me again? I’ll come prepared.”

They hugged tightly, and after some playful resistance, Nnamdi finally left her place.

When he got back home, Monica was seated outside, legs stretched and phone glued to her hands. The glow of the screen lit her pretty face as she giggled at whatever she was scrolling.

“Where is mama?” Nnamdi asked, dropping his bag.

“Welcome brother,” Monica said, still fixed on her phone. “She’s inside.”

Nnamdi looked at her and frowned.
“Go inside, it’s late. Don’t be seated here pressing your phone. It’s dangerous.”

Monica rolled her eyes but obeyed. “Okay oo,” she muttered and fóllowed him inside.

Later that night, when Nnamdi was lyiñg on his bed still replaying Somto’s smile in his head, his phone beeped. It was Jasper.

“Guy, what’s up?” Jasper’s voice came through.

“I’m okay man. How is it going over there?” Nnamdi asked, already knowing Jasper’s usual vibe.

“Still as usual. Eh-heh, I have seen a nice place we can move to. It’s closer to school, so no fear.”

Nnamdi sat up immediately. “Wow, that’s a nice idea. Tomorrow morning I’ll send you some money to add and pay so that another person won’t take it.”

“Yeah, that’s a smart move. Till tomorrow guy,” Jasper said, ending the call.

Nnamdi dropped his phone, stretched, and yawned.
“OMG, I’m so tired,” he muttered as he dràgged himself to the bathroom to take a shower before finally crashing on his bed.

Very early the next morning, his phone buzzed nonstop. He tried ignoring it, but Monica’s sharp voice pierced his sleep.

“Brother, your phone is ringing!”

“Who’s that one now? Why disturbing my sleep like this?” Nnamdi groaned, turning lazily.

“It’s Sandra,” Monica answered, staring at the caller ID with wide eyes.

Nnamdi sat up quickly. “What does she want now?” He finally grabbed the phone and picked up.

“Hello, Nnamdi. Good morning,” Sandra’s soft voice came through.

“Good morning,” he replied, his tone low and still sleepy.

“I’m so sorry if I disturbed your sleep,” she apologized.

“It’s fine. What’s up?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

“I’ve not been seeing you in school lately. Is everything okay with you?” she asked curiously.

“Yes, I travelled since it’s students’ week. I needed to take some break,” he replied.

“Oh, you didn’t tell me. Sha, it’s fine. How is that side?”

“Perfectly okay,” Nnamdi answered quickly.

“Alright then, just take your time. Bye for now.”

She ended the call before he could say anything else. Nnamdi sat back on the bed, shaking his head. “This girl sha…”

Feeling restless, he went outside, washed his face, and sat with his phone. Monica soon joined him, pretending to scroll her phone but her eyes were fixed on him.

“Brother, what’s up?” Monica said, trying to sound casual.

Nnamdi raised an eyebrow. “Monica, just say it. I know you. So, just come out with it.”

“Brother now… okay, you don catch me,” she giggled nervously.

“Definitely. So say it.”

“So… who is she?” Monica finally asked, avoiding his eyes.

“Who is who?”

“The Sandra lady,” she said boldly this time.

“She’s a friend,” Nnamdi said calmly, still busy on his phone.

Monica sighed. “Hmm, brother…”

“What?” Nnamdi asked, pretending to be annoyed. “Come, who is spøiling you, this girl? I really need to monitor you ooo.”

Monica laughed, stood up suddenly, and ran inside.

“Come back here oh, we are not done!” Nnamdi shouted, smiling as he shook his head.

But deep inside, Nnamdi couldn’t help but feel the weight of Sandra’s presence. The more he tried to run, the closer she seemed to get. He looked at his phone again and sighed.

“Somto.... Yes!!! Let me rush to her place for my favorite food. He suddenly remembered and went inside and began preparing.

To be continued…