Shola had been waiting at home, almost worried to death about Segun’s whereabouts. She was a gentle and easy going woman who never raised her voice against her husband nor questioned his outings. She believed and trusted him with all her soul; a state she had come to dwell in ever since those days when after a tough game of playing hard-to-get. She was a strong-minded woman who had been hard to win over but once Segun succeeded in wooing her, she fell hopelessly in love with him.
Shola was worried because she had gotten a call. Somebody had called in from Segun’s office to ask where he had dropped the files for a certain project. She was baffled.
Wasn’t Segun on assignment from the office? Why where they calling for him at home?
She explained his absence.
They said they had sent him on no such assignment. He had requested for a casual leave to attend to personal matters.
Then she had called his line and he didn’t pick it.
Shola got worried and had paced up and down the living room, trying hard to think.
Had something bad happened to Segun?
She was dressed and about leaving to go meet a close friend of her husband when Segun walked in.
He gave her a stern look; the type that’s guaranteed to put the fear of God in you. If Shola knew it was all just a façade to hide the lingering feeling of guilt biting deep into his conscience, she probably wouldn’t have fallen for it.
‘And where do you think you’re going’? he asked, his eyes traveling from the length of her well bunned silky hair to the sleeveless red blouse, navy blue jeans, black heeled slippers and finally back to her face.
‘Thank God you’re back. I was worried; I was about to get Harry so we could go searching for you. Where have you been? I called the office but they said you never went on any assignment.’
Shola’s concern for him was so intense she had failed to notice he had slightly jumped when she mentioned the call to the office.
But Segun knew how to deal with the situation. He had done it before. Within minutes he had cooked up a cock and bull story about going on a casual leave in order to work outside the office.
As usual Shola fell for it.
Segun sighed secretly in relief. He had been tense waiting to see whether she would buy it. After his encounter with the strange man, he wasn’t sure if Shola was up to something; like sending someone to spy on him. Her actions spelt out her ignorance about his infidelity.
He slumped into sofa, picked up the remote and switched on the TV.
* * *
The bartender placed Segun’s order before him.
He murmured his thanks, picked up the malt liquor and sipped on it.
His eyes wandered round the bar, taking in everybody in the bar. Not many people were around which was quite unusual for a Friday.
He glanced at his Rolex; the time read 9:30pm. Ada was running late. He didn’t like being kept waiting but in Ada’s case he unconsciously chose to make an exception. Rather than be impatient, he was nervous; the type that gripped you when you’ve just lied to your wife about your whereabouts and you’re trying hard not to be spotted by anybody who looked like a spy sent by your pretentious wife.
Though he had been relieved that Shola wasn’t suspecting him of anything yet, he felt a certain dread that she might eventually rise to the occasion. His dead conscience seemed eager to resurrect at the thought. He killed it instantly by pre-occupying his mind with thoughts of what he would do to Ada that night.
He took another sip at his drink, turned briefly to view the environs of the bar again and instantly froze as his eyes rested on the person sitting next to him.
It wasn’t the person’s face that sparked his fear because Segun wasn’t good at remembering faces, but the white African lace fabric. Segun never forgot colors and patterns.
The man was leaning against the bar table like Segun had been doing and sipping on what seemed to be a glass of water.
He placed down his glass and turned to Segun, a pleasant smile well lit on his face.
‘Hi Segun. Having fun?’
Segun continued to look at him, unaware that he wasn’t doing a good job of hiding his shock.
‘Who are you? Why are you following me? Who sent you?’
‘Hey relax, take it easy. What on earth makes you think I’m following you?’
‘Why wouldn’t I suspect you of following me? This isn’t the first time we’re meeting!’
‘Hmm, you’re a smart and observant guy I must say, but I’m only here to do my job and it means our paths must cross.’
Fear gripped Segun. Did he just say ‘job’? What job?
Images flashed through his mind of what kind ‘job’ it might be; a spy’s, an assassin’s or a kidnapper’s.
The man seemed to know what he was thinking.
‘Relax man. My job is just to advice you and warn you.’
He took another sip of his water and leaned forward. His voice came out clearly and boldly with some authority that made the hair on the back of Segun’s neck stand up in fear.
‘Stop cheating on your wife. You’re gonna hurt her…badly’
Segun replied defiantly, though still afraid because he didn’t know whom he was dealing with.
‘Look mister, I don’t know who you are and I find your accusation rather insulting!’
The man looked flustered but still maintained a calm voice.
‘I’m sorry if I’ve upset you, but I’m just doing my job. That’s what I was sent to tell you. You’ll end up hurting your wife badly if you continue doing this.’
‘Doing what?’
‘Sleeping with a strange woman’
‘Excuse me?’
‘You heard me.’
Segun exhaled slowly and drummed his fingers on the bar table. He always did such things when anything hit him with a big blow.
He looked down then up again into the man’s face. He hadn’t forgotten the other part of the question he wanted to ask.
‘Who sent you?’
‘A concerned person.’
‘And who is this person?’
‘Sorry, I’m not allowed to tell’
‘What do you mean…?’ Segun began but was cut off by a buzzing watch alarm.
The man looked quickly at his wristwatch, downed his water and got off his stool.
‘Sorry, my time is up for today. I’ve got another assignment to carry out.’
‘What…but we’re not finished here! I still have questions…’
‘They’ll be answered…in due time.’
He dipped his hand into his pocket, drew out a folded piece of paper and offered it to Segun who took it reluctantly.
‘Please take my word serious, and we won’t have to see for the third time.’
He took his leave quickly. Segun watched him walk towards the bar door. He was now more confused than before. He swallowed hard and tried to comport himself.
He looked at the paper the man had given to him. It was a copy of the same tract the man had given him on the first day they met. Voices began to raise questions in his mind
Who was behind all this? Is Shola involved?
In the middle of his questing somebody tapped slowly on his back.
Fearfully, he turned round slowly…
To be continued...
© Lolu Kush (Afronuts) - Story
© Kimson Masters - Illustrations
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