LAGOS WEDDING WAHALA – Episode 8&9

episode 8&9

LAGOS WEDDING WAHALA – Episode 8

“I want you to marry Bimbo because she is good for you. We have known them forever, my son. I know that if anything goes wrong, both families will come together and resolve it. Both her father and I want the best for you two. Nothing more and nothing less.” “I don’t believe it, dad, but if you say that is the story, I can’t extract the truth from you. The way you are pushing about it, I have the feeling there is more to that story.” “That is the truth, Biola.” “Then, let me ask you, do you truly want me to be happy? Do you truly care about me? Do you wonder what I want? Do you respect me? You have raised me to be self-reliant, brave and bold and everything you are doing now negates all that you have raised me to live by.” Seyi contemplated his son’s words for a moment. He knew Biola was right, but he could not fully admit it to him. “Okay son, let’s end this…at least, let’s call a truce for now. Take some time to think about the whole Bimbo thing. If you are convinced after a while that she is not for you, then you may make your own choice. Sometimes, you think you are very sure about something, until you have had time to think it through. Think this through, Biola.” “Thanks dad for at least, allowing me the space and time to ponder my own life without having you breathing down my neck.” “You are welcome, my child.” A short while later, Biola was at the door leaving. “I will have those contracts restored!” Seyi said loudly, but Biola did not reply. He was adamant that it was up to his father to restore those contracts or forget them.

… “Dayo, I invited you over to my office to try and resolve things for good,” Seyi said. He was seated behind his desk in an elaborately furnished office on Victoria Island. “If you have failed to convince your son as you promised, then let me handle the matter myself,” Dayo replied with an air of arrogance. “There is no need for that…there won’t be any need for that, Dayo.” “So, he has agreed to rescind his decision?” “Not yet. He is thinking about it. I think he might do so.” “That is not enough, Seyi!!! You are conjecturing. I want answers, concrete answers!!!” Dayo was visibly angry. “I want you to look at something on the big screen on the wall,” Seyi said with a wry smile. “This is not time for movies, my friend. An agreement has been broken and it should be fixed!!!” Dayo continued to bark like a rabid dog. Seyi went ahead to press the remote control, which was pointed at the screen. A few seconds later, Dayo heard his own voice moaning pleasurably. “What is that? How did you get that?” Isabell!!! I will kill her!!!” “That won’t be necessary, Dayo. She knew nothing about this. I simply followed her knowing where you’d be next as she made elaborate plans to lure you over,” Seyi lied. If anything happens to her, I will make sure the whole world sees this tape.

There is more…covering the entire weekend. There is a spot where you made some nasty comments about the president. Let me play that for you,” Seyi said gloatingly. He pressed the remote control a few more times and the spot her was looking for popped up on the big screen. “I am sure you would not want me to pass this on to the president. Now, here is the deal. You are to never release those tapes you have on me…for the rest of your life!!! Two, you should get off my son’s back. If he wants to marry your daughter, that is up to him, and if he does not, so be it, Dayo!!!” It was Seyi’s turn to be assertive, and assertive he was. Dayo watched helplessly, raging deep within. “My lawyers, exactly six of them are in possession of these tapes. If anything happens to me, my son or Isabell, then you would have left me no choice than to release the tapes. My lawyers have instructions to go public with the tapes should any of us be harmed in anyway. From now on, we will relate on equal footing. I will be just as ruthless as you if you try anything funny!!!” Dayo stormed out of the meeting in wild rage. He quickly dialed Isabell as soon as he settled into the backseat of his Lexus jeep. Her number was not available. He dialed again, staring at his phone with burning fury. Not even his fiery stare would make Isabell’s phone ring. Seyi had moved her to Abuja as she prepared to leave for London. She already had her cool five million naira in her Bank account and Seyi had generously wired fifty thousand pounds into a London bank account he opened in her name. She also had an apartment waiting for her in Camden, a scenic area in North West London. When Dayo reached home, he quickly called Jimoh, his hitman. “Jimoh, good to see you. It has been a while,” said Akin who was on his way out. “Good to see you too, Akin. Yes, it has been a while. I was in Portugal for a long holiday with the family. We had such a great time. It is good to be back though.” “Welcome back. I was on my way out; I hope to see you soon.” “See you soon, Akin.” Jimoh walked onto the terrace where Dayo sat sullenly sipping his Gulder as usual He was on his fourth bottle of Gulder Jimoh could smell the reek of Jimoh walked onto the terrace where Dayo sat sullenly, sipping his Gulder as usual. He was on his fourth bottle of Gulder. Jimoh could smell the reek of Gulder from inside the restaurant as he walked onto the terrace. “You look really troubled, Dayo. I haven’t seen you like this in years. Your message sounded very urgent. What is the matter?” he asked as he sat opposite Dayo, opening a bottle of Gulder for himself. “I am glad you could make it soon enough. I have a biting problem on my hands. Someone is trying to frame me. I will fill you in, in due course. For now, I need you to wipe someone as soon as possible. The girl in that picture,” he said tossing a picture at Jimoh. “Her name is Isabell Idehen.

I have been playing with her for some time now; you know what I mean.” Jimoh nodded. “She is working with someone to frame me. It hurts a lot. This could potentially harm my ultimate plans, but that is not a matter for today.” Jimoh examined the figure in the picture. Isabell was standing beside a Jeep in the picture, dressed in a blue mini skirt and a yellow top with red flowery patches. She stood atop a pair of high-heeled shoes with a ravishing smile on her face. “While she played around with me, she has kept a boyfriend on the side. I believe she is madly in love with him. I did some digging with one of my boys. The guy’s name is Princewill Oleka. Both he and Isabell are students of UNILAG. While she is studying mass communication, he is a student of Law. Her number and his are on the back of that picture. If you find her, then you’ve found him. Here is a list of some of her closest friends. Do not touch her…I repeat, do not touch her. I want you to find Princewill and kill him. Her turn will come later. For now, she has some protection, but he does not. Kill him…I want her to suffer. The pain of losing him will wreck her. I probably won’t need to go after her once he is gone.” “He is dead meat, oga (sir),” Jimoh assured him. … “Miranda, I am sorry that I could not see you before leaving town. I am not sure when I am returning to Lagos, but whenever that is, I will certainly make time to spend some quality time with you, my good friend,” Isabell promised. She and Miranda were close friends. “What is going on, Isabell? Uzoamaka told me you are flying to the US. Is that true? And you couldn’t even stop by to see me? I can’t believe this. I am not happy with you,” Miranda vented. “I was in your room but you were not there and your number was out of service. You have to bear with me. Please, you really need to bear with me. There is a lot I cannot talk about now. I will explain things to you as soon as I am well settled. Things happened faster than I had planned. Please Miranda, don’t be mad at me. You are my best friend; I value my friendship with you. Please, I am begging you!” There was a moment of silence over the line as Miranda considered Isabell’s plea. “Okay, I hope you make time to explain things to me later. Where are you now? So you are truly flying to the US?” “Yes, it is true,” Isabell lied. She had been careful not to tell anyone where she was travelling to. “You are not leaving from Lagos? Why is that?” “Long story. Like I said, I will explain later. I am leaving from Port Harcourt,” she lied yet again. Princewill was lying naked beside her on the bed. He wished he could y with her. He was the only one who knew that she was leaving for London. Isabell had promised to bring him over somehow as soon as she was settled in London. “So, when do you leave?” Miranda asked. “I leave in six days.” “Then, why can’t you come and see us all in Lagos before travelling? I don’t understand this. Uzoamaka said you were in such a hurry. I really don’t like this, girl, but as you said, you will have to explain yourself to me.” “I will…I promise.” Isabell’s flight was billed for the next three days. She had been careful to keep as much information as possible from her closest friends. She was well aware that Dayo was a dangerous man, so she did not want to take chances. The next day, Jimoh was at UNILAG in Akoka. He walked into Kofo Ademola Hall and headed for Isabell’s room. When he reached room 304, he knocked gently on the door. He studied his surroundings as he waited. Kofo Ademola Hall and UNILAG had not changed a lot. He once had a girlfriend who lived in Kofo Ademola Hall back in the day. A moment later, a beautiful dark-skinned girl opened the door. “Hi, what can I do for you,” Uzoamaka asked. “I am looking for Isabell Idehen,” Jimoh replied with a calming smile. “She is not on campus at the moment.” “It is very urgent. Do you know how I can reach her?” “Have you tried calling her?” “Yes, but her number is not available.” “I see. I spoke with her yesterday, but who are you?” “Actually, I am from MTN. Isabell entered an MTN draw for which she has won a hundred and fifty thousand naira. I was asked to contact her directly at the address she provided to prevent fraud; you know, anyone may try to collect her prize money.” “Did you say a hundred and fifty thousand naira?” “Yes.” “Give me a minute, I will be right back.” Uzoamaka returned to the room excitedly and returned moments later with a new phone number. Isabell had quickly switched phone numbers for security reason. “I think you can reach her on this phone number. I think you should call her soon because she might be leaving the country in a few days.” “Really? Lucky girl. Good things are happening to her at the same time. Which church does she go to? Her pastor must be powerful. So, where is she travelling to?” “The USA!” Uzoamaka answered grinning from ear to ear. Jimoh took note of the information. He rang the number and Isabell’s voice came over the line. Jimoh had done his homework very well through a number of outlets that he normally used when on a job. Isabell had actually entered an MTN draw in which she provided her address. “Is that Isabell Idehen?” Jimoh asked. “Who is this?” Isabell asked suspiciously. She had not given her new number to anyone else other her immediate family, Princewill, Uzoamaka, and Miranda, all of whom had been warned not to share it with anyone else. “My name is Bitrus Birang. I am calling to inform you that you have won one hundred and fifty thousand naira, courtesy of MTN. To prevent fraud, I was sent directly to the address you provided and your roommate, who is here with me, gave me your other number.” “Really? I truly won?” “Yes, you did. I will need to ask you a few questions first to confirm that you are the right person, though.” “Sure, go ahead.” “What is your middle name?” “Omoyeme” Jimoh was looking at a piece of paper he had in his left hand. Uzoamaka watched with sheer exhilaration. “What is your date of birth?” “May 25th 1989.” “What is the maiden name of your mother?” “Rosaline Ehisuria Orikhi.” “Finally, what is your father’s middle name?” “Osavie.” “Great, so when do you want to come down to our office on Allen Avenue to collect the money.

You need to sign some paperwork in person to collect the money.” “Really?” “Yes.” “What if I can’t make it?” “Well, you’d have to send someone. The person in question must show us your signature, signed by you with the answers to the questions I just asked you on the same sheet of paper. Also, you must send us the person’s picture ahead of time so we know what he looks like.” “Can I send it by email?” “Yes.” “Great. Please could you text me the questions again with an email to which I can send you a picture of the person I am sending.” “Sure, I will do that. Who are you sending?” “I am sending my boyfriend, his name is Princewill.” This was exactly what Jimoh had anticipated. He knew that if she was hiding somewhere before leaving town, she’d be with her lover. “I will send you all that right away. We expect to see him soon enough. He should indicate which day he is coming by notifying me via the same email address I am going to send you.” “For sure, he will do that.” “Please remember me, Isabell,” Uzoamaka shouted just as Jimoh was hanging up. “I can keep the money, right?” Princewill, who had been listening to the conversation asked excitedly. “Yes, you can my love,” replied Isabell as she planted a warm kiss on Princewill’s lips.

:

:

LAGOS WEDDING WAHALA – Episode 9

Bimbo exited Alausa shopping mall in Ikeja. She had just returned to work having taken some time off, following her break up with Biola. She was carrying polyethylene bags in each hand, while a purse was dangling on her shoulder. Her eyes had taken refuge behind a pair of dark sunshades with gold-colored rims. She was eager to return to the safety of her air-conditioned car on a blazing hot day. Bands of sweat careened down her face. “Hi Bimbo,” said Biola. Jane had told him that Bimbo went to Alausa shopping mall in Ikeja. “I am not talking to you,” she said angrily, increasing her pace towards her car. “Please don’t do this, Bimbo. We need to talk,” Biola pleaded. “I want nothing to do with you,” she reiterated. Deep inside, she was so pleased to see him, but she was not about to show it. “I am leaving for London in two days on a business trip, Bimbo. It is important that we talk now, dear.” The fact that he used the word, ‘dear’ was music to her ears.” “I want nothing to do with you, Biola!” She bellowed, slamming the trunk of her Honda Civic. She opened the door and entered the car, ready to slam the door too. Before she could lock the door, Biola got hold of the handle and yanked it further open. “Sticking his head into the Honda Civic, he pleaded with her as she reached for the car key. “Bimbo, please take a moment to listen to me. I am sorry, we really need to talk. Please give me a second chance.” “I just want to be home, Biola. Please get out of my car.” “If we don’t talk by tomorrow, I probably will not return from London. I am serious, I will move to London for good,” Biola threatened, pulling off every trick in his bag.

“Then go…I don’t care!” Bimbo shouted halfheartedly. She wanted to take her word back and ask Biola into the car, but her pride got in the way. Holding on, she placed the key in the ignition and started the engine. “Please Bimbo! I beg of you. I love you darling,” he lied. “But you hurt me very much. Why did you hurt me?” She asked as tears poured down her face. Biola held her, caressing her gently. He felt bad lying to her, but he was keen to find out who attacked Modupe and why his father had been eager to have him marry Bimbo. “I am sorry darling! Please let’s talk. Please give me a second chance.” “I need some time to clear my head, Biola. Come over to my place tomorrow,” Bimbo offered, caving in to Biola’s pressure. “Thank you sweetheart. Thank you! I will see you tomorrow, my dear.” The next day, Biola went over to Bimbo’s father’s house in Lekki. Dayo was happy to see him and Bimbo together again. Biola convinced Dayo, Bimbo and Akin that the wedding was back on the cards. “You should never treat me like this again, Biola!” Bimbo warned him. “Never…never again my love,” Biola assured her. He felt sick to his stomach for telling her another fat lie. They were lying on the bed in her apartment within her father’s mansion. “Make love to me,” she said authoritatively, peeling her clothes off her body. “Stop!” Biola protested. “Why? You don’t want to make love to me again? Are you still in love with that wedding planner, Modupe? What did you even say happened to her?” Bimbo hurled questions at him relentlessly. “Of course I am dying to make love with you, my love. I’d do anything to rip your clothes off and make love to you for eternity, but I want this to be…to be perfect from now on. I don’t want to make any mistakes. I want us to take time to preserve our bodies for each other until that special night after our wedding. Purity! Perfect love and gregarious passion; that is what I want, Bimbo,” Biola preached, looking for anything he could lay his hands on to keep from making out with Bimbo. “That sounds really beautiful…special!” “Yes, it is my love. Of course, I have no feelings for Modupe. I wonder why you’d even think of that. You know she was attacked and almost killed,” Biola said casually, minimizing the topic the best he could.

“Really?” she asked. Biola scrutinized her face, looking for any sign of guilt or deceit. He could not make out what he saw on her face. “Who would have done that?” She asked with little emotion. “That was what I thought when I heard that she was attacked.” “Where is she now? You are not interested in her, right?” “Of course I am not. I am all in for you, my love. I’d do anything for you. I am not interested in Modupe, whatsoever.” Three hours later, he left Dayo’s compound not sure what to make of Bimbo’s response to Modupe’s situation. Time…time will reveal the truth, she assured himself. “Do you trust him?” Akin asked his father. They were in Dayo’s duplex on the far east of the compound watching as Biola drove away. “I don’t know what to make of him, but I am keeping an eye on him. It seems odd that he’d just change his mind like that. Just yesterday, he was keen on not marrying Bimbo. All of a sudden, he comes back and is willing to marry Bimbo. I am not convinced he is genuine. I will keep an eye on him,” Dayo said scratching his head. Shortly after Biola left, Jimoh called Dayo. “What is going on?” Dayo asked expectantly. “I have reached the girl, oga (sir).” “Where is she?” “I am not sure, but she says she in Port Harcourt. She is due to y to the US in few days.” “And her boyfriend?” “He will be dead in a few days. I offered them a bait and he is onto it. I expect him here in a Lagos in a few days.” “Whack him!!! Finish him off!” Dayo ordered. “I will let you know as soon as he is down,” Jimoh replied arrogantly. His voice was cold; bereft of ‘humanity’. Akin had returned to his building on the mansion leaving Dayo to himself, his Gulder and a young girl lying naked in his bed waiting for him. The next afternoon, Biola tucked himself into his seat on a Virgin Airline Boeing jumbo jet about to depart for London. About the same time, he was buckling his seat belt, Dayo received a phone call. “He is flying to London, sir,” a rusty voice said over the phone. “London?” “Yes sir!” “I want you to contact Raymond in London. Send him a picture of Biola. Do you know which airport he is flying to? Gatwick or Heathrow?” “No sir.”

“Find out…find out immediately. I want Raymond to be at the airport to trail him in London. I want to know what he is up to while in London.” “I will do that, sir,” the voice replied assuredly. … Princewill alighted from the taxi and walked happily towards MTN building on Allen Avenue. A day earlier, he had seen Isabell off to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. He was excited…excited to see her leave, with the hope that he’d join her soon. He ambled his way out of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja like a prince. Soon…soon, I will be on a flight to London, he thought. Later that night, he boarded a flight back to Lagos, eager to claim the one hundred and fifty thousand naira. Isabell had called earlier in the day to inform him that she arrived safely in London. He could not help counting down to the day Isabell would come to pick him up. He was convinced it was a matter of time before he joined her in London. For now, I have to pick up that one hundred and fifty thousand, he thought to himself with a sly smile on his face. At least, I can take Yetunde out tonight. We could go to clubbing on the Island tonight, he assured himself. He had been seeing Yetunde for nearly a year now behind Isabell’s back. Jimoh peered keenly at the picture on the screen of his phone. He wore a yellow MTN shirt and a yellow MTN cap to match. He loitered the hallway of the major building just beyond the main gate. Carefully, he scanned the gate intermittently and peered at his phone in-between. A Mercedes 230 E Class plastered with MTN posters stood outside the gate with a driver behind the wheel. Princewill walked majestically into the compound, looking around as he wondered where his contact might be. He had been told to ask for Bitrus Birang. Jimoh sighted him. Hurriedly, he scampered towards Princewill. “Are you Mr. Princewill Oleka?” Jimoh asked him, smiling.

“Yes, I am.” “My name is Bitrus Birang,” Jimoh replied smiling as he stretched out his hand for a handshake. “I have been waiting for you.” “Pleased to meet you,” Princewill replied excitedly. A broad smile perched colorfully on his face. “Come with me. I have been working on your girlfriend’s account. The money has been approved. To quicken the process, we need to run down to the bank down the street, so you can get paid right away,” Jimoh offered. “Yes…yes!” Princewill acquiesced. His voice reeked of smarm. “Please sign here,” Jimoh handed him a sheet of paper with MTN boldly inscribed at the top. Without asking further questions, he appended his signature on the paper and handed it back to Jimoh. “Okay, let’s go!” Jimoh ordered, heading for the Mercedes 230 E Class. Jimoh and Princewill hopped into the backseat. “You are very lucky!” Jimoh said. “Let’s get you paid and get on to other winners,” he added, making far-reaching efforts to keep Princewill engaged. Soon, the Mercedes 230 E Class screeched past Allen Avenue. “I thought we were going to the bank on Allen Avenue?” Princewill asked.

“If you move, you are dead!” Jimoh ordered. His voice was menacingly cold. He brandished a gun which was pointed at Princewill. His excitement and anticipation were quickly supplanted by numbing fear. He could not stop staring at the gun until the vehicle left Lagos and headed for Epe, several miles away from Lekki. “Please don’t kill me. You can take the money,” Princewill begged. “I will never tell anyone, please take the money. I don’t care,” he continued, crying profusely. “Shut up!” Jimoh shouted. The driver remained quiet, focusing completely on the driving. He slowed down, veered off the highway and drove into the forest on a pothole-filled dirt road. “Stop here,” Jimoh instructed the driver. He marched on the break and the car came to a halt. “Out!” Jimoh shouted at Princewill, who obliged. Jimoh had him walk to the end of the dirt road and then they veered into the forest. Jimoh red at him from behind. “Ahhh!!!” He grunted, slumping to the ground. Jimoh red again. Blood spewed out of Princewill’s back. Then, everything went quiet. Princewill’s numb body lay on the ground in a pool of blood. Jimoh hurried back to the Mercedes 230 E Class and joined the driver in the front seat. Soon, they were on the highway on their way back to Lagos. Jimoh rang Dayo to inform him that Isabell’s boyfriend was dead.