UP FROM THE ASHES CHAPTER TWO

It was late December 1902, five years after we returned to Nri, my native land, five years after we were freed from captivity in the land of Benin. While the Harmattan breezes swept over the coast of Lagos, and while most people kept warm by the fireside, I had someone keeping me warm in bed, though not out of my volition. This had been my lifestyle since my aunt Adanne brought me here a couple of weeks earlier. Each night, as I lay on the cold mattresses of my bed, and as Aunt Adanne’s men thrust me; I shut my eyes and wept. In the dark recess of my mind, all I could see were images of that cold night at the Benin slave camp. It was like living my most painful memory all over again. Every day. One night, after taking my shower, I sat on the bed, waiting for the man Aunt Adanne had collected money from. His name was Chukwuma. He was a dark skinned man probably in his early thirties. As he walked towards me, I was scared, nervous and angry all at the same time. So I moved away from him towards the headboard.

“Don’t worry honey, I would be gentle with you,” the man whispered as he climbed onto the bed. He unbuttoned his shirt and started crawling towards me. I felt like screaming but I didn’t. I also felt like slapping him and then pushing him away, but I didn’t. All I did was just sit there and sob.

“Please, I don’t think I’m ready for this. I…don’t…I… don’t want to do this anymore,” I said tears rolling down my cheeks. As those words came out of my mouth, I wasn’t sure what his reaction was going to be. I closed my eyes right after speaking, thinking he was going to force himself on me like the other men did. But as I continued sobbing, he stopped, sat on the bed and told me he wasn’t going to touch me if that was what I wanted.

“Why are you doing this?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” I said, my words muffled by tears. I couldn’t think of anything else to say. Should I confide in this man who seems caring? Maybe he would help me get out of aunt Adanne’s house forever. Maybe he was sent by the gods to save me. Or maybe he would tell Aunt Adanne all I told him and then continue with his life as if nothing ever happened. This would only worsen my situation. So, I don’t know was the best answer I thought of.

“I have a sister your age,” the man said as he buttoned his shirt. “I, um…also have a wife whom I love very much and she’s given me two boys: Ejike and Chijioke.” He smiled mildly. “I love my family very much, but recently my wife and I have been having problems in our marriage. I work with you aunt. Yesterday, after work, I told her I was having problems with my wife and that we were no longer intimate. That was when she mentioned you. Honestly, I feel guilty about this,” he continued facing the floor. A couple of seconds passed before he lifted his head and continued. “Please do all that you can to get out of this house; I don’t think your aunt has any good intentions for you. You are a beautiful young lady who should be doing something meaningful with her life,” he said as he stood and made for the door. All I did was nod as he spoke. In the silence that followed, he walked back to the bed, gave me a hug and kissed my head before leaving the room. I couldn’t believe it. I was surprised-and pleasantly so-at this sudden turn of events. His display of affection and concern suddenly brought back memories of life with my mother back at the slave camp. If only mama were alive, she wouldn’t have let me leave the village even if I wanted to. I was her only child and she loved me very much. In that moment, as I sat on the bed, wiping tears off my eyes, I recalled the story my mama had told me of how they were captured by Oba Ewuare, the Benin monarch and marched out of their home town in chains and fetters. It was the story of how we were forced into a life of slavery by the Benin Empire. I still remember the expression on mama’s face as she narrated this story. It was an expression indicative of disgust, hatred, anger and yet hopes in what the gods could do to save the Nri people.

“It was the eve of the eke market day and children were gathered by the fire in the cold of the evening listening to stories from their parents. It was like any other peaceful day in old Nri,” mama had said in Igbo. “Traders sat under the canopy of the odala tree, discussing sales, when suddenly, Ogidi, the chief warrior ran past our house, screaming at us to run for our lives. In a matter of minutes, confusion broke out throughout the village. Parents searched for their children as they sought for safety in their mud huts; children wailed as they searched for their parents in the midst of the stampede, confused and frightened about what was happening. You father jumped to his feet, and carried me into our hut. One man ran out of the bathroom naked, and a creeping child who was playing outside was accidentally kicked into one of the burning firewood. Ogidi was however too late, for before he could get to the market square, half of the village was surrounded by the Benin warriors. Our Igwe was ripped of his crown and throne; the council of elders, the Nze and Ozo title holders was dissolved and the entire kingdom was abandoned. In a couple of hours, the raid was over, the entire village was taken captive and we became part of the ancient Benin Empire. That was a day descendants of Nri kingdom will never forget. It was a moment of severe pains for pregnant women, some of which had miscarriages,” mama narrated and then paused. She heaved a mournful sigh, and then wagged her head before continuing. “I was pregnant with you at the time, but thanks to the gods, I managed to escape a miscarriage. I guess the gods had an important assignment which they wanted you to carry out.”

That night memories of my late mother’s life came flashing back and I thought, again, in passing that she would never have let me leave the village with aunt Adanne in the first place. But then, I wondered: why would my aunt, my own mother’s sister, my blood, treat me with such inhumanity? Maybe she wasn’t really my mother’s sister; perhaps, she was just another family relative from my mother’s side. 

to be continued...

UP FROM THE ASHES

                                                    [1]

Resilient, that’s the word that best describes me. I’ve been to the hottest parts of hell and back; I’ve watched my heart ripped out of my chest and then thrown back in place. I’ve wallowed with pigs and swam in ashes. I’ve been abused, depressed, dejected and suicidal. But in spite of everything, I refused to give up; I refused to let my past define me, because a long time ago, I came to the understanding that good or bad, life’s what you make it. So I decided to quit blaming God for what some may call my misery, and I decided to rise from the darkness that was once my life. But it wasn’t always easy. There were times I felt like I would be better of six feet below even in what many may have considered the brightest of days-which to me were as few as the number of hairs on my chin. But I was determined to make the best out of my life, not just for me, but as I would later learn, for others who would one day get to read about me. This is why I believe that no matter how bad it is, there can always be a silver lining in your dark clouds. Sometimes, you would have to dig through the clouds to find it, but trust me, it’s always there. Today, as I lie on my hospital bed, my eyes deeming with weariness and my bones shivering beneath my skin, I hear the sound of my ancestors calling me to return home to the Creator; but I smile and say to them, “After I tell my story.” My children and grandchildren have no idea about this conversation and ever since my hair became as white as a ghost and my skin as wrinkled as a prune, they’ve been pestering me to tell them about my life. Why they’re so curious, I don’t know. Today, they're all gathered by my bedside-all fourteen of them-eager to hear the story I once promised to tell them. To the optimists, it’s an inspirational story; to the romantics, it’s a love story; but to me, it’s a combination of both-a story about finding strength to live again after dying many times, and then finding love while doing so. It sounds easy now as I think about it, but finding love wasn’t easy for me at all. In a world where you’ve been conditioned to think men want only one thing from women, not only do you stop looking for love, you become skeptical of it even when it is true and genuine. I was opportune to find true and genuine love, once, but then fate took it away from me and Cupids decided not to pay me another visit. I don’t like to feel sorry for myself, no, not at all; no time for pity party, because such is life-you love, you lose, but you go on. Some things we pray will never happen, but they happen anyway. What do you do then? Kill yourself? Of course not. If you’re like me, you cry, and then you try to move on. But you don’t let go of the memory; you just don’t let it paralyze your life. So for the longest time, I lived with the memory of my lost love; I drenched myself in a fantasy that I will one day find him again. And just when I thought all hopes were lost, fate surprised me in a way that to this day, still fills my eyes with tears; tears impregnated with a feeling deeper and far reaching than joy, one akin to euphoria and sheer paradise.

The heat from the heater beside my bed spews hot air over my body. Yet, I shiver with a cold that’s been ninety years strong. I’ve always had an abnormal body temperature since birth, but now it feels worse than ever. Even with a gown and two thick sweaters, I can still feel my hands shiver as I reach for the bottle of water on my night stand. One of my grandsons hands me the bottle and as I let the water trickle down my throat, I’m convinced the next generation will never remain the same after hearing my story. I put the water down and my last daughter helps me sit up and props me against the headboard. Then, I take a deep breath and begin to narrate this story, my story. 

LOVE BIRDS: BEYOND DEATH AT BARNES AND NOBLES

Good morning bloggers and fans, just wanted to let you know that the book is now available at barnes and nobles with the preview app. This way you can view sample chapters of the book before you buy it. Here is the link:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-birds-lysious/1103309753?ean=9781462016679&itm=2&usri=love%2bbirds%2bbeyond%2bdeath

Peace

 

LOVE BIRDS: BEYOND DEATH, THE OFFICIAL TRAILER

Just click play, the ad tells it all. Peace.

LATEST UPDATE: LOVE BIRDS: BEYOND DEATH

Okay, so the book, Love Birds: Beyond Death is now available online at all major retail outlets in the country and in Uk too. You can now obtain it on ur mobile devices; Kindle and the likes, via amazon.com, barnes and noble.com, froogle.com, scribd.com, abebooks.com, alibris.com, and iuniverse.com.For those of you in the UK, you can get it from abebooks.com, and alibirs.com. Check it out and let me know what you think. Alright folks, let's make this one a bestseller, and then when it is made into a movie, we can all go see it at the theatres.
Love question of the day: What do you do when love is both comforting and hurting?

Peace folks. Spread love not lust.

LOVE BIRDS: BEYOND DEATH, A NOVEL

The test is more severe as thhe harsh realities of life place Henry and Naomi in dire circumstances. Will their love for each other stand the test of time even in the event of Naomi's mother's sudden death? Will Henry still stand by Naomi in the wake of his parents' separation? Find out in this suspense-filled and dramatic sequel to the novel, Love Birds. Love Birds: Beyond Death usher us deeper into the world of our teenage sweethearts who now in college, are made to face life in the real world. Shortly after her admission into Johns Hopkins University, Naomi loses her mom to an auto accident, and Henry's family is torn apart. As the story progrsses, we feel the pain and struggle of Naomi as she battles the grief of her mother's sudden and untimely death, as well as the possibility of having to call another woman, mom. Emotions run wild, tensions get higher, and even the strongest of the love birds collapses in the face of much challenge and prssure. So what happens next? The two childhood sweerhearts let the oceans of life dissolve their love for each other, or do they weather the storms to behold a brighter day in the great beyond? Find out in this fast paced, suspense filled and dramatic novel which is available online right now at iuniverse.com. Here is the link: http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000464547

Grab your copy now, spread the word and be the frst to like us on facebook and start up a conversation.

GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: THE CONCLUSION (PART TWO)

...Saturday, December 26, was a bright and fair day. The ceremony commenced at about 9 '0' clock in the morning. This was the happiest day in the lives of the couples and they were both gorgeously dressed in the traditional yorouba attire with their faces beaming with smiles. The marriage was done in the traditional yorouba style, and all marriage rites were observed accordingly. It was then time for the couples to dance before the guests. This was the most scintillating part of the occasion, as the couples will exhibit their native dance steps. Being natives of yorouba, Abayomi and Bisi were equally good dancers, but one must certainly out-dance the other.
   Bisi swayed her whole body from right to left in the traditional yorouba style. Abayomi also showed off much of the yorouba dance steps, but had by mistake brought in the white man's dance steps at the concluding part and was thus thrown over to the loosing side. While this was going on, guests were busy munching lumps of meat, masticating grains of rice, and gulping bottles of assorted drinks-there was enough for everyone to eat and drink. Finally, the celebration came to an end and the couples retired to their rented apartments for a recuperative night rest. Bisi had earlier gone to her mother's house for a word of advice on how to make a peaceful home and after that night, she was to stay with her mother for a week before finally joining her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi and Dr. Kunle were to travel back to London the following year. So they had enough time to put everything in place before going back. They even embarked on and completed a number of projects for their community, including a pipe borne water project and the new town market complex.
  The older year had passed and everyone was making resolutions for the New Year. For Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi, they decided not to start bearing children until a month after their white wedding. Kunle decided that he was going to set up a medical center in Britain. He had the dream of discovering helpful drugs and therapeutic measures that would greatly improve human health. At the end of January, Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi and Dr. Kunle had already finalized plans for their voyage back to Britain. They left Nigeria on Sunday evening and arrived Britain on Tuesday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi kept their vows. Their wedding ceremony was one of the biggest in London were they live.
  Barely one month after their wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi were blessed with a son whom they named Adegoke. Dr. Kunle's dreams were materialized. He established a medical center and was already working as a medical doctor. Mr. Abayomi had also started working as a Civil Engineer in one of London's reputable companies. His company built a number of roads, bridges and tunnels, and with him as the leader of the team of civil engineers they were soon able to supply ample amount of water to drought prone areas. Mrs. Abayomi continued working as a Chartered Accountant in her own firm and also made great impacts in the Accounting field. Her son was placed in the custody of a trusted daycare center, while she worked. Dreams do come through indeed, inspite of obstacles. 

GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: THE CONCLUSION (PART ONE)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (PART ONE)
A DAY OF CELEBRATION
   On Saturday morning, Bisi and Kunle woke up at about 7:15 am, and finalized preparations. They then drove off to Abayomi's house in a cab. On getting there, they realized Abayomi had been waiting for them, so they all drove off to the airport. At about 11 '0' clock everybody was on board the plane and it soon took off. They were to get to Nigeria on Tuesday evening. The news of their intended return had reached their parents two days earlier and so everything was put in place for a welcome party holding on Tuesday evening at Mr. Ojo's house. Their parents drove off to the airport by 4:30 pm on Tuesday evening to receive their children. Their flight did not arrive until about 7:30 pm, when it finally did. This offered a great deal of relief to both parents. The three had just alighted the plane and were just emerging from the clearance zone, when their parents saw them from where they had been sitting, waiting for them. They quickly and excitedly ran to embrace and welcome their children.
     "Welcome my heroes and heroine" said Mr. Taiwo.
     "How was your flight?" Mrs. Omotola asked.
     "Fine. Except that the weather condition was pretty bad" replied Bisi.
     "Thank God you arrived safely. May Olodomare be praised" Kunle's mother added.
     "How are you dad?" Abayomi asked his father.
     "I am fine son. I can see you have now grown into a full-ledged man. Congratulations my son" he said in response.
   Both families soon drove home to commence the welcome party they had organized for their children. There at home, it was food, drinks, and dance galore, as everyone was happy to see the ones who have made the ancient Ijekun town and hamlet proud. Mr. Kwame who was now getting on in age was also at the party and was exceptionally pleased with his students.
    "Welcome home my brains" he said as he beckoned on them to come.
    "I know it wasn't easy at all, but thank God you made it. Congratulations"
    "Thank you sir" Abayomi said.
    "You were a source of inspiration to us all. Those very words of yours encouraged us greatly" he added handing over a brief case containing some money and other valuables to Mr. Kwame.
    "This is for you sir"
    "For me? Oh may God continue to bless and prosper the works of your hands" Mr. Kwame said prayerfully.
   "Amen" they all replied in one voice.
 Abayomi and Bisi had fixed a date for their marriage ceremony. It was slated for Saturday, December, 26. The wedding was going to be the biggest ceremony ever organized in Ijekun hamlet, Bisi's hometown. Invitation letters and cards were distributed throughout Ijekun town and the neighbouring towns and villages. Mr. Ojo had invited his business associates from Lagos. The venue was going to be the Ijekun market square which was about 10 acres in size. All the guests were to be served with ceramic plates and glass vessels. Canopies and chairs were made available and a traditional musical band was invited.

TO BE CONTINUED
Copyright Lysious.

GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: WEDDING BELLS RINGING

CHAPTER TEN (PART THREE)
THE GRADUATION
..The next day was Friday, and to Bisi's greatest surprise, Abayomi showed up at their house to ask her out. She knew he was certainly going to do this, but never expected it to be so soon. She however agreed considering the cordial relationship they had had for years. It was 7 pm at Kunle and Bisi's apartment on Cleveland Street. The evening was warm, but windy. Bisi had just finished doing the dishes and was about to sit down on the cream-colored leather sofa when she heard the door bell. It was Abayomi.
       "Hey, it's you. Come in" She said as she opened the door.
       "How are you? You decided to come pay us a visit today?"
       "Yes. I am very well. Everything is great. How are you?"
       "I'm good. Just finished doing the dishes. Your friend is in his room studying. Let me go and call him" Bisi said as she attempted walking toward the hallway.
       "Um, Bisi...that won't be necessary. It's you I actually came to see"
      "Oh, okay. Hope all is well?" Bisi asked pretensiously as if she didn't suspect the reason behind his wanting to see her.
     "Actually, I was wondering if we can go some place and talk. Just the two of us. There is something I'd like to tell you. I hope this is a good time?" Abayomi asked a little nervous.
    "I was just about to watch a documentary by BBC, but I think I can spare an hour or two. You know I can't tun you down" Bisi said with a smile, relieving Abayomi's nervousness.
    "I really appreciate that" he said as he sat down.
    "You look beautiful" he added. Bisi blushed and paused for a while as she turned to look at Abayomi, who at this point was wondering if he shouldn't have said that.
   "Thank you!" Bisi said with a short giggle, as he looked Abayomi in his eye. There was a certain knowing to the look they exchanged in that brief moment. It was if they both know where this is going.
  "Well, I have to go and freshen up and change into something else. Five minutes would do" she said as she went into her room. Five minutes later, she appeared, looking resplendent in a red silk sleeveless gown.
    "Can we get going now?" she said to Abayomi who was so captivated by her beauty that he stood staring, dumbfounded for a few seconds.   
  "Sure!" he said short of words. "Kunle we are leaving. Please lock the door" Bisi called out to Kunle.
  "Alright! You two have fun!" came the response from the hallway. They both drove off in Abayomi's Lexus jeep to Terra restraunt at 53 Cleveland street. Few minutes after they arrived and got a table, and chatted for a while, Abayomi decided to make his intentions known to Bisi.
  "You see Bisi, I think you are the most beautiful creature I've ever seen on two legs" He started off with a broad smile.
  "Oh please. Don't flatter me" she replied with a smile revealing her perfect dental structure with an opening in the middle. She looked more beautiful with her smiles, that leave her cheeks dimpled.
  "Nooo! It's no flattery. I mean every word of what I just said" Abayomi said expressing his honesty.
  "Thank you then" Bisi said as she reached for the glass of Pink Lady on the table, took a slow sip and then placed it back on the table covered in white linen fabric.
  "Honestly, you possess all the qualities a man would desire in a woman. I mean any man would be proud to have you as a wife" he continued as he stared into her glowing eyes, holding her hands.
   "I love you Bisi! Please marry me!" Abayomi said letting out the inner content of his heart, as he brought out a shiny black gold-plated case containing a diamond ring.
  "Marry you? I don't think I am ready for marriage now!" Bisi said but in a low voice.
  "Please Bisi, don't say no. You mean so much to me right now. I know we haven't dated and I am sorry I never mentioned this all along, I just thought this would be the right time. Please marry me and I will make you feel loved, like a real woman" Abayomi pleaded kneeling.
  "Well, Abayomi I have always admired your character. I mean your discipline, intelligence and moral chastity. The thing is, I just think this is moving too fast. But, like you said, may be this is the right time. I know I still need to know you better if we are going to be together. But I guess, having being friends all our lives, there isn't much left to know about you. So yes, I'll marry you!" Bisi replied with a radiant smile.
   "Oh thank you!" Abayomi said as he gently slid the ring down her finger. They both embraced each other and kissed briefly, before leaving the restraunt hand in hand.
    Abayomi called his parents that night and informed them of his newly found love. They were very happy with him and congratulated him for making a right choice. Bisi also informed her parents of the engagement. They two were in support of the union. It was if their marriage was God-ordained. The three decided to travel home the next weekend to see their parents after so many years, and to fix a date for the upcoming wedding. Everything was really moving fast. They bought their flight ticket, went shopping, and packed all that the journey would require. They were to leave Britain on a morning flight and so decided to make all preparations ahead of time.


 

GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: THERE IS LOVE IN THE AIR...

CHAPTER TEN (PART TWO)
THE GRADUATION
   ...The final year examinations came but the trio wrote theirs at different years, since their course duration was different. However, they all emerged best in their various departments when they graduated. This attracted recognition by the British government. They also received a number of awards from various renowned institutions. On the day of their graduation they received sums of money, enough to enable them start up with their careers. After Bisi's graduation she had to work for some years with various reputable accounting firms, while Kunle and Abayomi continued their education. However, after their graduations, events took a dramatic turn between the friends. They were all now full-fledged adults.
     "Kunle, I think there is this strong feeling in me that Bisi would make a good wife" Abayomi said in a manly tone.
     "You are not serious" Kunle replied laughing surprisingly.
     "This is not a laughing matter. I am dead serious. I would really like her to be my wife. You know, we have spent all our lives together as a family, and I think Bisi possesses all the qualities I desire in a wife" He said sounding even more serious.
     "You are really serious? Well, Abayomi I really do not have any problem with you as a brother-in-law, but it's not me you want to marry. You have to go talk the young lady in question" Kunle said expressing his position on the matter.
     "I perfectly understand you Kunle, but you are her brother, so I thought it wise to come through you."
     "Well, in that case I will talk to her about it. But you should try asking her out sometime. You know, you can take her to a romantic place and make your intentions known. You might even want to propose at once" Kunle advised his friend. It was as if he wanted them to be married as fast as possible.
     "That is such a good idea! Thanks man! You are such a good friend" Abayomi said as he shook hands with Kunle.
    "You are most welcome and best of lucks with my sister" Kunle added as they both left.
 That night Kunle disclosed Abayomi's intention to his sister, to which she gave no response on her stance.
   "I will prefer he comes to me himself, you know, as gentlemen do" she said.
   "He sure will at the right time. But you know considering our relationship with him, he thought it reasonable to come through me first".
   "I know all that and I understand you completely, but it's not you I'm marrying. You have done your part, and I appreciate it. But if Abayomi is serious about what he told you, he'll have to speak to me himself."
  "You're right, but can I atleast know what you think so I can tell him. You know, a yes or a no" Kunle tried persuading his sister who was getting slightly upset by now.
 "Look Kunle, I have already given you an answer. He has to come to me himself. That's how I think it should be done".
"But Bisi..."
" Can we not stretch this further?" Bisi interrupted. "I really have to go to bed. My day was pretty hectic. Good night" Bisi said in a manner typical of a mature young lady, as she quitely left her brother's room and headed for hers.
 "Good night" replied Kunle as he wondered how his kid sister had fully grown into a graceful and mature young lady.
 "How time flies" he said to himself as he lay to sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED...
FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Copyright Lysious.

GRASS TO A GRACE, A NOVEL: CHAPTER TEN (PART ONE)

CHAPTER TEN
THE GRADUATION
    The subsequent semesters were very successful for Bisi, Kunle, and Abayomi. The news of their parent's reconciliation really stirred up the siblings as they decided to make the best results in their departments. The final year was not easy for Kunle who had to visit some general hospitals for practicals. There he was exposed to dead bodies and was even asked to carry out experiments in which he had to dissect the brains of some dead bodies in order to study the brain cells. This he did with his lecturer's assistance as a final year test. The determined future medical doctor had to spend sleepless nights, studying voluminous medical texts and materials. For Bisi, the bulk of her final year thesis was based on analytical procedures of financial accounts. She was asked to work with some financial firms in order to carry out an analysis of business procedures and accurate record keeping.
   Abayomi in a similar vein did not find things easy too. He was asked to work with some field civil engineers to acquire practical knowledge. He also had to rigorously study both outdated and modern materials on Civil Engineering, and was exposed to brain twisting engineering mathematical problems. But if it is painful, it must be gainful, he thought.
  The final year examinations were around the corner. It was actually slated for September, 28 and all final year students were asked to submit and defend their thesis paper after the examinations. Bisi, who graduated before Kunle and Abayomi, submitted her thesis in her fianl year. Abayomi was however asked by his lecturer Mr. Washington, an American professor of Civil Engineering, to modify  and elaborate his thesis. He was asked to this with adequate references and illustrations. This was so much work and had to be done in the stated time. Abayomi extended the tentacles of his research and emphasized practicality in his work. This time it was accepted and he was commented by Mr. Washington.

GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: CHAPTER NINE (PART TWO)

...Mr. Taiwo was to go to his wife's house the following day and deliver her portion of the money their son sent. At first he was reluctant, but later mustered courage and decided to take the bull by the horn. At least for the sake of their children. The next morning, Mr. Taiwo got up early, had his bath and breakfast and then headed for his wife's house. On arrival, it took him almost five minutes to knock on the door, and when he finally did, he faced down with eyes closed.
       "Come in!" was the reply from inside, but Mr. Taiwo refused to come in for fear of his wife's reaction. When no one opened at her response, Mrs. Iyabo walked up to the door and opened it, to see her husband standing at the door, faced down. Mr. Taiwo's heart rent into two when his wife opened the door.
       "Oh, it's you. Come in" she said with a smile, to his utter amazement. Kunle had earlier written a letter to his mom, which she received a day before the postman delivered Mr. Taiwo's parcel. So Mrs. Iyabo had already decided to reconcile with her husband.
       "I'm awfully sorry for everything I made you and the kids go through" Mr. Taiwo said with streaks of tears on his cheek.
       "Please find a place in your heart to forgive me" he added.
       "It's okay. I forgave you a long time ago" Mrs. Iyabo said as she walked towards her husband who was standing across her in her white-painted sitting room, well furnished with black leader sofas. She then kissed him before they embraced each other with deep emotions. Moments later, Mrs. Iyabo returned the keys to her apartment to the land owner before moving back in with her husband.

TO BE CONTINUED...
Copyright Lysious.

GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: CHAPTER NINE (PART ONE)

CHAPTER NINE
THE RECONCILIATION
     Kunle and Bisi became committed to their academic work again, and were thus able to make up for the carry-overs they had in the second semester. So, they moved onto the third semester. However, for Kunle who was studying Medicine, it was not easy at all, as he frequently had to borrow relevant text books from the school's library. At the end of the third semester, the siblings, with diligence and God's favor made the best results in their departments. The British government thus moved them back into their apartments and re-enlisted their names for the regular monthly allowance.
   Mr. Taiwo had not heard from his children for a long time and was getting really perturbed.
        "What could have happened to my children? This is strange and unlike them. Maybe they
         are planning to send me a bigger package this time. I still need to call them though"
As these thoughts ran through Mr. Taiwo's mind, there was a knock on the door.
        "Come in, the door is open" Replied Mr. Taiwo anxiously. It was the postman.
        "Good morning sir. I have a letter for you. Here it is sir. I'll need you to sign here sir" The postman said as he dipped his hand into his mailbag and handed over an envelope to Mr. Taiwo, who then signed on a note pad the postman had asked him to sign on.
      "Thank you very much. God bless you" Mr Taiwo said as he received the envelope from the man.
     "Thank you sir. I'll be on my way now" The postman said before leaving the room. Kunle had written a letter to his father, telling him all that had happened and why there had been an unsual delay in cash transfer. Kunle also advised his father to apologize to his mother and put right that which has gone wrong. Mr. Taiwo felt sorry for his mistakes and was ashamed for failing in his responsibilities as a husband and father, and for causing his children much pain. He was therefore determined to make amends.

TO BE CONTINUED...
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GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: CHAPTER EIGHT (PART TWO)

CHAPTER EIGHT (PART TWO)
A NEW DAWN
...The service commenced by 9: 30 am, after all religious rites have been observed. It was now time for the sermon and Rev. Fr. Geoffrey Lambert mounted the pulpit, a five meter structure made purely from Elizabethan gold. He was a tall, light-skinned, white-bearded man in his late fifties, and the sole-spiritual head of the church. That Sunday, he rendered an elongated message which put all the little children to sleep. But he vibrantly preached on the message, "what matters most". In course of the message, he made the congregation realize that it is of great waste to acquire all of life's abundance and loose one's soul in hell. In fact for Bisi and Kunle, it was as if they had been reported to the Rev. as it appeared he was talking directly to them. The words of the Rev. really impacted the lives of the siblings that they decided to begin serving from God from that day. They sorrowfully and humbly walked out during the altar call and gave their lives to Christ. To Abayomi, it was a dream come through as he had longed to see his friends make peace with God. Bisi and Kunle were very happy in their new found faith in God. It was to them a new dawn in life.

TO BE CONTINUED...
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GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL-CHAPTER EIGHT (PART ONE)

CHAPTER EIGHT (PART ONE)
A NEW DAWN
   St. Gabriel's Catholic church was celebrating her 50th anniversary, and being a member, Abayomi thought it wise to invite his friends.
      "How are you today Kunle?" Abayomi asked.
      "Good. How about you?" he replied cheerfully.
      "I'm very well thank you. See, tomorrow is Sunday and I would really like you to accompany me to church. The 50th anniversary of the church is tomorrow".
      "No problem. We'll all go together, including Bisi. But that will be after my laundry."
     "Oh come on Kunle, you have all the time in the world to yourself to do that. Why not spend some quality time in God's presence. I mean that is even more rewarding than doing laundry, you know" Abayomi persuaded Kunle.
    "Okay. You win. Laundry cancelled. I'll be there" Kunle replied smiling.
    "I would really appreciate that Kunle" Abayomi said as they both went in doors.
  The next morning, the three friends woke up early and prepared for church. At about 8 '0' clock, they were already on their way to St. Gabriel's Catholic Church. The famous St. Gabriel Catholic church, located along Downing street was one of Britain's colossal and long standing buildings. It was built in the Elizabethan age with British architectural designs, and occupied a land mass of 20 acres. It's interior was decorated with the most expensive ornaments and precious gems of the time. The altar was arrayed in costly fabrics of bright colors, and crafted with precious stones. It was indeed a site to behold.

TO BE CONTINUED...
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GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL(PART TWO OF CHAPTER SEVEN)

CHAPTER SEVEN (PART TWO)
ROBBERY IN THE STATE
   That night, Kunle was admitted in a general hospital where he received medical attention. Two days later, a member of Kunle's gang went to inform Bisi and Abayomi of the recent development. The two came visiting as soon as they heard the news.
     "I am terribly sorry for all I made you go through" Kunle said sorrowfully with tears running down his cheeks, as he apologized to his friend.
     "I had joined a gang and we had planned to rob Mr. Frank Nelson's house the night we had a slight misunderstanding. It was in the scene of the robbery that I got shot in my arm. I've also been addicted to some narcotic drugs and have since been living a wayward life. Abayomi please find it in your heart to forgive me for all the pains and discomfort I made you go through. I regret neglecting my parent's advice. Bisi here had begun living a promiscuous life, just to earn some money. That accounts for her frequent late nights."
Just then tears rolled down Bisi's cheeks as she knelt before Abayomi, feeling sorry too.
  "It's okay, Bisi, you don't have to kneel before me. Come on, stop crying. I've forgiven you all. All you should be concerned with now Kunle is how to get well and start all over again."
Abayomi replied sobbing. It was a happy reunion for three friends as they both held each other's hands and wept joyfully. A sudden air of silence filled the hospital room, but was interrupted by intermittent sniffs from the sobbing friends.

FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT...
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GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL- THE STORY CONTINUES...

CHAPTER SEVEN
ROBBERY IN THE STATE
  The previous night, Kunle and other members of the "THE BIG GUYS" had planned to storm the house of one of Britain's wealthiest men, Mr. Frank Nelson who owned and controlled a couple of business empires across the British Isles. It was going to be a dare-devil experience for Mr. Nelson's residence was secured by armed police men.
  The gang had earlier gotten a number of sophisticated weapons, ranging from triple fire automated guns, pistols of different sizes, stun guns to bullet proofs of varying depth. They seemed to be very prepared for the feat. At about 11: 30 pm, the gang sneaked into Mr. Nelson's residence through an underground route behind a tree. A member of the gang had earlier gone to spy on the compound and discovered the route. Five minutes after they entered, they made five of the policemen unconscious with their stun guns.
  One of the police men who saw Kunle sneaking into Mr. Nelson's bedroom through the rooftop, alerted the others. Just then there was an exchange of gunfire between Kunle's gang and the police men. In the process three of Kunle's gang members were killed by being shot in the head. But none of the policemen were killed. Meanwhile, Kunle had earlier made it into Mr. Nelson's bedroom and collected 25 million pounds. He was so surprised that a man would leave such a huge amount of money in his house, but he was also pleased with it. Just as he was about jumping over the brick fence when one of the unconscious policemen who was regaining consciousness, raised his head and shot him in his right arm. He fell over the fence to the other side of it. It was indeed a narrow escape for the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Taiwo. The loss of five members of the gang shattered and dissolved it. Members decided to take on a new lease of life. This was how they decided to keep the police off the trail and prevent themselves from being jailed.

THE SAGA CONTINUES...
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GRASS TO GRACE- THINGS FALL APART

CHAPTER SIX
BACK TO GRASS
The first semester in the Oxford University was really very easy for Abayomi, Kunle and Bisi who had made all their papers with excellence. For Kunle, and Bisi the second semester started off auspiciously, but this was soon going to change. Kunle’s parents had just moved into their new apartment in town and their children were regularly sending money to them. The money soon intoxicated Mr. Taiwo that he became extravagant and close to the bottle. He would go out every morning and come back very late. When he  returns, he turns his wife into a punching bag, when she tries to scold him.
Mrs. lyabo couldn’t stand her husband’s recent incessant alcoholism and hostility towards her, and so had to go packing. She moved into a new apartment distant from her husband’s. The news of their parent’s rift had a traumatic effect on their children, and they gradually started loosing concentration on their studies. In fact they had three carryovers in the second semester and had to start all over again. The British government thus had to confiscate their apartment and withheld their monthly allowances. This even worsened the entire situation.
Two months later Kunle and Bisi moved into Abayomi’s apartment with the intention of being domiciled there until they sort themselves out.  . Abayomi gadly received them into his apartment and sympathized with them over all that ha appened. Weeks ran into months, and months into years, yet the siblings had not sorted themselves out.
“I can’t continue like this” Kunle said to himself.
“No matter how rough the road is there must certainly be a way out” he added stamping his foot as he left the room.
Kunle and Bisi had soon lost interest in their academics and were now both interested in money-making. In fact, they were no longer thinking of their parents. Kunle soon joined a gang of robbers called, “THE BIG GUYS”. Bisi had turned herself into a commercial sex partner. They had surprisingly ignored their parent’s advice and were no longer the morally-behaved and innocent children their parents had raised them to be.
One night Abayomi saw Kunle through a lattice window exchanging guns with a group of suspicious men. Not knowing that someone had seen him, Kunle quickly ran into the house and was about sneaking into his room, before he was shocked by an unexpected voice from behind. It was Abayomi.
“Where are you coming from by this time of the night and what is in that bag you are carrying?” Abayomi asked.
“And what business of yours is it?” retorted Kunle.
“You see Kunle we are like brothers, and I would not sit back and watch you ruin your life. We all came here with the goal of making the best of ourselves academically and to make our parents, clan, and nation proud” Abayomi said in a still voice trying to advice Kunle.
“Oh spare me that my ‘ brooother” it’s all over! My apartment had been confiscated and my monthly allowances withheld. So you see I have to struggle to make a living. So you dont just worry your head about me, I’ll be fine” Kunle replied in defense and walked into his room. Not having the intention of creating a scene, Abayomi decided not to confront Kunle about what he had seen outside. Bisi had been to a brothel that night with a white man and so did not come home that night. Abayomi had to tolerate the excesses of his friends because he believed that one day they'll come to their senses.

GRASS TO GRACE RETURNS AS THE TRIO HEAD FOR BRITAIN-A NOVEL

CHAPTER FIVE
THE VOYAGE
The British Embassy in Nigeria had covered all transportation costs of the scholars and accommodation was already waiting for them with a variety of job opportunities when they live school. They were to embark on their journey by the end of the month. They were also required to go to the embassy with the scholarship letter and accreditation from their school principal.
   For Kunle, going to school abroad at the Oxford University will mean a voyage of self- discovery. He and his sister, as well as their friend were determined to make the best out of their lives when they get there, They had decided to make their parents, clan and nation proud. Kunle was going to study Neurosurgery, but Bisi had the ambition of being a Chartered Accountant. For Abayomi, nothing was of interest other than building of roads, bridges, devising means of supplying water to drought- prone areas and constructing Sky-scrapers. He was going to study civil engineering.
November 31, was a memorable day for both families and the scholars themselves. That was the day they were to embark on the voyage to the British Isles. The previous day, Kunle’s mother had helped them put all their clothes, books and other necessary items in a bag she had purchased from the market.
As stated in the letter, the flight was to take off by 10 am .Very early the next morning, Kunle’s parents got up and put everything in place for their children who couldn’t sleep through the night for excitement. There after, Mr. Taiwo began advising his children.
“My children never put your mind away from God,
Always trust in him and he will see you through. Please remember the son of whom you are” he finished.
“And avoid bad friends and oyibo women. Take your studies seriously and never you forget your parents” added Mrs. lyabo. The family then came together and prayed for God’s guidance, and direction in their children’s life. At about 9: 30 am, Kunle, Bisi, and Abayomi had arrived at the Murtala Muhamed international airport. They had to travel early enough to meet the flight. The clearance began and lasted for about ten minutes, after which their visas and flight tickets were issued them. Then at about 10 am everybody was on board the KLM flight. Tears rolled down Mrs. lyabo’ s cheek as their children entered the plane.
“Don’t worry, they are going for good” Mrs. Omotola told Mrs. lyabo as she patted her back.
“Bother not my good man, in no distant time we would all be smiling, eh” Ahayomi’s father said to Kunle’s father. At exactly ten, the flight took off and both families remained until it was out of sight, before embarking on their journey back home.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...

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THE SORROWS OF CHILDHOOD, A NOVEL CONT'D-NWOUGO FACES REALITY.

Eight

An Eye-opener

      The journey to the old colonial city of Lagos was an exciting one, though the roads were bad. Aunt Adanne’s Daewo Racer didn’t look old at all. The seats were made of a shiny black leather fabric, and were still new; the red glow of the car sparkled in the sunlight. Aunt Adanne seemed not to be interested in music, as we only listened to a British broadcast on the effects of human trafficking. I was just picking interest in the program, when aunt Adanne switched to another channel hissing, on which song with strong rhythmical beats was playing. The song was titled, ‘No Woman, No Cry’, and as aunt Adanne nodded her head, and raising her right hand simultaneously, like one pointing to the sky, she told me it was her favorite from the legend of Reggae music, Bob Marley. I stared at her in amazement before turning to look out through the window, after glancing shortly at a sticker near the dash board, labeled, ‘No Smoking’.

     As we went on I realized that the city was in ravages, and new buildings and construction projects had just begun. I wanted to know why the city was in such an undeveloped state. So I asked aunt Adanne.

          ‘Aunty, why is this city in a bad state, and their Igwe is doing nothing about it?’ I thought cities like villages, were ruled by kings.

          ‘Nwougo, Lagos is a city now, not a village. So it does not have an Igwe; and it is now under the British government’ she answered giggling.

          ‘Also, this city was a center of the slave trade until 1807, when the British stopped it. It was captured in 1851 and formally made a British colony in 1861; and because the old king of Lagos was only interested in slave trade, he did not care about developing the city’ she continued steering the car as we got to a road bend, with a sign post that read VICTORIA ISLAND. Aunt Adanne seemed to know a lot about history. She was a very smart woman, but her answer got me confused still for I did not know what a ‘colony’ was at the time.

           ‘Aunty, what is a colonia?’ I asked.

           ‘Nwougo it is not colonia, but colony. It means a group of places under one government or leader’ she answered correcting me. Although I did not understand how so many places were controlled by one government, I nodded. Only brutal leaders like the Oba of Benin could do that. May be aunt Adanne did not want me to know the British made Lagos a slave state still, I thought. But I later came to realize what aunt Adanne was saying.

     The streets of Lagos had some well-built houses, adjacently arranged in rows, while others were poorly built and looked like they needed only a slight wind to push them down. Lagos seemed to separate the poor from the rich in the way its houses were built, and the way the environments were; some very clean and some a pigsty. The streets also had names, most of which I could not pronounce with the little education I got from Nri. I was amazed that people planted brightly colored red, yellow, pink and green flowers, and kept gardens in front of their houses; and these were well-leveled. Aunt Adanne said those houses belonged to the white people who lived in the city.

TO BE CONTINUED...
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