Guns and roses episode 5
GUNS AND ROSES
(Upland University)
Episode 5
Written by NobleQueen Josh’Ny
The busy street of the town was filled with people. Truck pushers and hawkers could be seen, looking all sweaty and stressed out. At the other side of the was a mechanic shop and one at a close distance could hear the noise that came from each tools used for work.
Hausa men, popularly known as “aboki” were not left out. While some walked around, mending shoes, others pushed trucks of condemned irons shouting, “Iron kwandem, aluminum kwandem.”
Close to the classy boutique that was known all over the city was a restaurant which had noses sniffing up and down from the aroma of white soup that mixed with the near afternoon breeze mixed with heat emanating from the sun.
Mrs. Ofunne walked up and down in,side the boutique, inspecting everything and anything. She was beautiful dressed in a loose gown and her stiletto didn’t stop making sounds as she walked. Bangles of different colours adorned her wrist. Her gold earring dangled while her human hair covered the back of her neck.
She touched a designer bag and raised her voice, “Who removed this bag from it’s cover without putting it back. Do you want it to be covered with dust?”
Just then, three hefty masked men barged in,side and before she could recover from shock to ask who they were, they bundled and took her out, making one leg of her shoe fall off in the process. The customers and sales personnel were left in total confusion and disarray…
*
Ella, Joy, Dave and Nath had finished eating the cereal provided by Joy. Ella wanted lying beside Dave but Joy tactically shoved her aside and in that way made her lie beside Nath.
They soon got talking and the girls found out that the guys were final year students in the department of Chemistry. Nath, Ella and Joy did most of the talking while David was quiet, only answering to important questions.
When David mentioned his full name, the middle and surname rang a bell and Joy was forced to ask, “Is Chris Ofunne your father? I mean Chief?”
David replied in affirmative and added, “You know him?”
Just when Joy was about replying, a fart sound escaped the room and it’s aftermath sent the room occup-nts fleeing in different directions, looking for something to use as fan.
Nath, who was the culprit, wished the ground would open up and swallow him. You know that feeling when you embarrass yourself in front of your crush.
“That’s disgusting,” Joy squeezed her face while covering her nose with her palm.
Nath was about apologizing when it exploded again. In a hurry, he scanned around, picked up a roll of tissue paper from the storage cart and rushed out of the room, leaving his phone. Embarrassed as well, Dave followed him out while the two girls exchanged glances.
Outside, Dave stood at a safe distance, away from the toilet. After about five minutes, Nath came out looking sullen. Tiny beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.
“Why do you like embarrassing yourself? Dave queried, obviously not finding it funny.
Nath moved to sit on a stack of blocks. “There’s no way I’m going back in,side that room because I don’t understand why I should suddenly develop stomach upset just like that.”
“It’s your village people ni. Curses of the numerous girls you’ve broken their hearts.”
Nath became angry. “See, don’t insult me o.”
Dave wanted saying something but then his phone rang and he paused. His dad was calling.
“Dad!”
“Please come home immediately. Your mother has been taken,” Dad’s voice quivered over the phone.
“What are you talking about?” Dave was shocked.
“Come immediately.” The call ended.
Nath raised a curious eyebrow while David started walking away without saying a word…
*
No car was allowed into the premises of Upland University and so Dagger had to walk the long distance to the Vice Chancellor’s office.
in,side the VC’s office, a table stood directly opposite the door with executive chairs surrounding it. On the wall hung the picture of the president, federal republic of Nigeria, the Governor of the state and that of the VC himself.
A shelf full of books stood against the wall at the left corner and on the table were some books and a table top Nigerian flag with calendar, clock and some awards.
The VC sat behind the table, his eye glass rested on his nose while using the tip of his pen to scratch his head.
“Hello! Mr. Vice Chancellor,” Dagger announced himself.
The VC didn’t seem surprised to see him. His face was regular and the purpose of his visit known as well. “Welcome…” he paused and pushed his glasses up, then added, “Dagger!”
Dagger smiled as he lowered himself on one of the chairs. The air conditioner made the room cold but the fan still swirl in motion. Silence overshadowed the office for a moment as each man was buried in his thought.
Few minutes of silence having passed, Dagger cleared his throat, leaned forward so that his elbow rested on the table. Looking at the VC intently, he said, “There’s been a change of plan. This place will be history in less than two weeks.”
The VC heaved a sigh, leaned back on his sit and began to think of how he was gonna loose his job in a matter of days…
*
The chirping of birds and hooting of an owl could be heard at a distance. The forest was thick and dark even when it was day. The trees looked tall and giant while some had forms of a human body.
Cobra stood with his head bent low and his hands wrapped round his back. He had been summoned by Okasi, the great one and from the look of things, he knew all wasn’t well. At a corner, fire from a coal pot provided dim light to the dark forest.
Okasi had his back turned on him. His eyes were directed to the sky and in his right hand was a red staff. He had two heads, one which smoke puffed out and the other a human skull. His outfit was covered with life snakes curling all over him. “Look into the pot and tell me what you see!” He commanded.
Cobra obeyed dutifully and in fear drew back from the pot which was surrounded with human skull while Okasi laughed loud. The content of the pot was as scary as the pot itself.
He raised his staff up, made some incantations and dropped it back. “Years ago, a covenant was made. I see danger! I see blood! Dagger is wasting time. I am thirsty for blood!”
*
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To be continued