Azed 10

Azed

Episode 10

The feeling of sitting at the back seat of a cab while another person drove was very strange. I could barely look away from the road as it felt like I was the one driving. It took mild distractions, well, not so mild, from Kassy to get me to look her way. She moved in closer to me and laid her head on my thighs. She looked up smiling at me and I looked down at her with the thought of a new life ahead of us floating in my mind. Kassy tried to seize the moment like she always did, she moved up and closed in to kiss me. As our lips met, I thought to myself, something here isn’t right. Everything really. Kassy and I cozy in the backseat of a cab with 9 million Naira stashed in a box in the boot of the car – No.
I shook my head and woke up from my thoughts. Kassy was standing right next to me. So close I could feel her breathing – heavily.
I’m sorry Kassy, I can’t.
As I said those words, I noticed the shock that took over Kassy. It was almost as if she was absolutely sure I was going to say yes. She didn’t say a word in response. She walked back to seat on one of the chairs, almost falling in the process. I stood where I was and waited… for what, I wasn’t sure. I really wouldn’t have been bothered if she decided not to pay me. Being around her was enough trouble; I really just needed to leave. I took one more look at her and as I turned to leave, she called out to me – A-Zed…
I turned back and then she threw about eight bundles of the one thousand Naira notes at me. Both bundles didn’t make it to me. Kassy just seemed so weak and disappointed; she could barely look at me when she said…
That’s your money. Please take it and leave.
I looked at the scattered packets on the floor and before I could think, Mama’s image came to my mind and I instantly picked up the money. Without taking another look at Kassy, I turned around and left. I stashed the money in the pigeonhole of the car, I couldn’t help but take another look at Princess’ test result. It was just then I noticed the name of the hospital. It was one of the best, if not the best in the country. I knew this because the doctors at Mama’s clinic had recommended it as a possible location for Mama’s surgery. It made sense for someone like Princess to only use that kind of hospital. I replaced the result and got on my way, it was still only about 2am. I figured I could make it back to school by 3 and see if I could still get some reading done before morning.
I went through Agege and as I approached Ikeja, I saw a police check point ahead. There was a car ahead of me. They didn’t stop it. Good. I was glad they weren’t stopping all cars. As I got closer, I noticed one of the policemen waving me down. How unlucky I thought, maybe I should just give them what they want before they ask – I thought to myself. I got to the checkpoint, cleared to the side and parked.
Officers, well done o
Yes, where are you coming from at this time?
Officer, I just go drop my sister for her house oh I say make I quick run back go school
Sister? At this time?
I tried to laugh and make a joke out of it) Ehn.. na one small emergency dey…
The policeman looked away and spoke to the one on the other side, I knew he was calling him to come over. Two to one, I was out numbered. I had to give up something. I immediately took out my key and dropped it at the side of my seat and then got out some money from my pocket. When the other officer turned to look at me, he asked me to come out of the car:
Officer, abeg, all this one no necessary. Just take this one use manage this night. ( I held out the money I had taken out to him – it was a N500 note)The police officer looked at me and I felt as his countenance changed.
Are you trying to bribe a police officer of the federal republic of Nigeria?
Err… Officer…
Will you get out of that car, you this bloody thief (he said yelling even as he reached for the handle of my door)
By then, the other officer had gotten there. They were both armed and I couldn’t risk putting back my key in the ignition and driving off. I opened my door and the moment I got out, the second officer dragged me aside while the first officer began to search the car. He looked everywhere, almost as if he was looking for something in particular. He then tried to open the pigeonhole and he noticed it was locked.
Where is the key? (He shouted)
I don’t have the key.. it’s my madam
WHAM!!!! I felt a heavy slap on my face from the second police officer.
I say where is the key to that place. (this time, he yelled louder despite the fact that he stood inches away from me and almost bathed me in saliva.
It was then I perceived the heavy smell of alcohol in his breath) Fear took hold of me instantly. I had heard several stories of how people got shot and even got killed by drunk policemen and now I was standing face to face with two of them. What was I going to do. Tell them where the key was and risk losing Mamas money as well as getting killed or stick to my decision.
Growing up, I had my stubborn moments, but largely, I was never one of those ridiculously stubborn children who always frustrated their parents. Infact, Mama often said I needed to be manlier about certain things. Was this one of those things? The odds certainly didn’t favour me but for some reason I still can’t explain, I decided to stick with my initial position.
Oga, I don’t know where the key is. I left the key in the car before I got out.
…………………..
I felt the cold rush of water dripping on my face.
Arrggggghhhh.. cough…cough…
It hurt. Everything everywhere was hurting. I tried hard to open my eyes and I could only manage to open one. My vision was blurry but I could make out two towering figures standing on either side of me. Just then, I felt the cold harsh pain of my bare back on concrete. I tried to move again but I couldn’t. The cold water began poring on my face again…
I heard laughter in the background even as my vision finally stabilized. I looked up to see two men standing beside me, one on each side. The one on my left side was remarkably dark. He was about five feet six inches tall and very dark. His brown teeth, which glared down at me from his grin were the brightest things on him. And he was stark naked. His member standing erect pointed at the man on my right side who was almost like a complete opposite of the first man. Tall, light-skinned but also not fully closed. He had on a pair or trousers made out of guinea material. The waist rope was long and untied, dangling just above me. I noticed a sachet of pure water in the hands of the taller man.
He squeezed the pure water sachet again, more water on my face. I still couldn’t open my right eye. I tried to get up again and this time, I was able to turn my body sideways. Excruciating spasms of pain ran through my body even as I tried to take in the pain.
Omo ghetto …. ounje ti set…