Rexsolomon Kluze

ABIODUN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Mr. Gabriel sat in the back seat of his car, breathing heavily. His heart was racing, and his mind was focused on what the personal assistant told him earlier “There’s a fire outbreak at the warehouse!”

“Driver, please move fast,” he said again, wiping sweat off his forehead.

They had just reached halfway when his phone rang again. It was the same number.

He picked it up quickly. “Yes! I’m almost there now. What’s going on?”

“Sir…” the voice said quietly. “I’m sorry, sir. It was a false alarm.”

Mr. Gabriel paused for a second. “False alarm? What do you mean by that?”

“The estate security made a mistake. The fire outbreak happened at the next shop, not ours.”

Mr. Gabriel’s face changed. His voice was loud now.

“Are you serious? Do you know the panic you’ve caused me?!”

“I’m really sorry, sir,” the assistant said again.

Mr. Gabriel sighed deeply. “Driver, please turn back. Let’s go home.”

“Alright, sir,” the driver replied and turned the car around.

He sat back in his seat, frustrated. “Nonsènse… false alarm,” he mumbled. “How can they be so careless?”

But little did he know, it wasn’t a false alarm. It was God saving him from deàth.

Back at home, everyone was seated in the living room. Emmanuel was on his phone. Grace was scrolling through TV channels. Madam Felicia was pacing up and down in the kitchen.

Just then, the front door opened and Gabriel entered.

They all turned around quickly.

“Honey! You’re back?” Madam Felicia asked, trying to hide her surprise.

“Yes,” he said, shaking his head. “Is it not that usèless security estate people? They called me to say it was a false alarm. That it was the next shop that caught fire, not ours.”

“Ehh! Thank God oo!” Emmanuel shouted, lifting his two hands up.

“Yes o! We thank God,” Grace said, trying to hide the relief in her voice.

But deep down, Madam Felicia’s heart was on fire. She was angry. Very angry. “So all my plan has failed because of this silly mistake? These stupīd people have just ruined everything!” she screamed in her mind.

She managed to smile. “That’s good news, honey. I was already getting worried.”

Gabriel nodded and went upstairs to rest. Felicia stood quietly, staring into space. Won't you eat something Honey? She ask...

I don't have that appetite to eat anymore, he responded and upstairs.

“No, this can’t end like this. I need to go back to Baba. We need another plan. I must finish this man before he finishes me.”

The next morning came gently. The sun slowly entered through the curtain. Birds chirped like they were singing a peaceful song. Mr. Gabriel stretched on the bed and yawned loudly.

“Where are you dressed to this early?” he asked, noticing his wife already dressed in a native wrapper and blouse with a matching head tie.

She turned and smiled. “Oh, I have a meeting with the women from “Oganihu Women Association.” We’re planning an outreach.”

“Hmm… okay, honey,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “Just be careful out there.”

“I will, my love,” she said and gave him a quick kīss on the cheek.

As usual, she picked the car key and her handbag. She never left the room key that the chàrm behind. She didn’t trust Gabriel. She feared he might start poking into things.

She entered the car and drove straight to the shrine.

“Welcome back, my daughter,” the herbalist said, sitting cross-legged on his mat, with smoke rising from a small pot beside him.

“What brings you back here so early?” he asked, his eyes sharp like a hunter’s.

Felicia sat down quickly. “Baba, it didn’t work. Everything failed!”

She narrated everything, how Gabriel was about to eat, how the phone call came in, and how he left the house.

“I was sure this time, Baba. But the call was a mistake, they said it was a false alarm. And now he’s back, alive and fine!” she said angrily.

The herbalist chuckled softly. “It means that his God is so powerful . But don’t worry, I have another plan.”

“What is it?” Felicia asked, her voice desperate.

“The only way now is to plan an àccident,” he said, looking straight into her eyes. “If he won’t eat póison, he can fall into danger.”

Felicia’s eyes widened. “Yes! Yes! Baba, that’s perfect. Why didn’t I think of that?”

She leaned forward. “So… how do we do it?”

The herbalist smiled again. “Don’t worry, my daughter. Leave that one to me. All I need now is his picture. Once I have it, I can start monitoring his movement through the gods. That way, we can plan the perfect accident.”

“Ahh… I didn’t come with his picture today,” she said quickly. “But I will bring it next time.”

He nodded. “Good. You’re doing well. The spirits are with you.”

She brought out an envelope from her bag and handed it to him. “Take, Baba. This is your usual token.”

He smiled as he counted the money and nodded. “You’re a true daughter. Go in peace.”

Felicia stood up, tied her wrapper well, and left the shrine. As she entered her car, her face looked determined.

“Gabriel… you will not escape next time. I swèar it.”

Back at the hospital, everything was different. The room felt lighter. Abiodun was no longer that weak boy lyiñg unconscious. His cheeks had gained some flesh again. His voice was stronger.

Sammy sat beside him, peeling oranges.

“My guy, just look at you! See your skin shining again,” he said happily.

Abiodun laughed. “i can't thank you enough, you are the cause of this my bro.”

“You’re getting better, bro. Very soon, you’ll go home.”

Abiodun smiled gently. “I can’t wait, Sammy. I miss home. I miss normal life.”

Sammy looked at him and nodded. “And we missed you too. Emmanuel has been running up and down because of you.”

Abiodun's eyes watered a little. “I still don’t know how I survived. It was like a dream. I saw darkness, but something pulled me back.”

Sammy looked at him seriously. “It was God. That’s what I believe. You were gone, bro. Even the doctor gave up.”

Abiodun wiped his eyes. “Then why did He bring me back?”

Sammy smiled. “Maybe because your story is not over yet.”

They sat in silence for a while.

“Thank you, Sammy,” Abiodun said, placing his hand on his friend’s. “You stayed with me. You didn’t give up on me.”

“I would do it again and again,” Sammy replied with a big smile. You're the only brother that I have.

They both laughed softly.

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