She plans to kill me

My pains

" It is Jezebel." Uthman said with a cold voice.

Hamisu grimaced.

" Tell me more about this Jezebel."

" I discovered her when I was transferred to Ibadan. I was transferred to 2000. She was in her final year the: medicine and surgery. She was an active member of SUG and NANS and behind some of the most virulent protests in the country.

She moved from school to school, rabble rousing in the name of aluta. She was suspected to be a Jezebel Queen. Her sobriquet, Jezebel, is a secret title: the head of a female cult .Politicians discovered her and she became a material.

She was very attractive so she also served as a mistress to randy politicians and did other things for them. She became very rich and built a hospital before she graduated. I made a file on her, but nepotism played in. There were strong forces within and outside the system protecting her. I gave up when I was transferred here, the headquarters in 2005.

I realized she was also in Abuja which was not astonishing. I know the new government will take up her case and a can of worms would be opened. Her cup is filled."

" How could a lady be this treacherous?" Hamisu wondered, his fat hands running over his face. " I think we should take her case up."

" There are hidden forces...."

"I know. We would take the bull by the horn. It is going to be a secret operation. Do you know where her file is?"

" Yes, I gave it a secret code and I guess they must have been searching for it.....it is coded."

" You must get it. I will assist but make sure this stays between me and you. And the current case file should be included. I hope you did not inform the police."

"You asked me to not to after a second thought."

" Good.I am afraid of traitors. I am delighted to work with you."

"Thank you ,sir."

" I think you and your family should enjoy this..." He drew out his drawer and gave him a packet of beverage.

" Never seen this."

" It is very scarce. It is called Metabolic flusher. It is not only delicious but flushes out plenty foreign bodies and prevents cancer. It is brought in from Congo."

"Thank you, sir."

Immediately Uthman left the office, he went into his office, carried his briefcase and left. He was happy. At last, his chance to get Jezebel. Then he paused and frowned. There was something wrong! It just jumped into his head. He should have seen it.........he turned and went back into his office. He had to do it. He would leave no loop hole.

Meanwhile, unknown to him, Jezebel was making a call to someone in the office, she had to protect herself form the no-nonsense new government. It had to do with the file.

Hamisu just paved way for Uthman to get the file. The file!

Jezebel dropped the call and sighed. Danny had long gone and she was left with Safiyan in his parsonage. She gave him a smile.

" I can see that you are jealous. You don't want that boy to have a feel of me."

" I never said so."

" You don't have to, Your eyes are so loud it can get me deaf. I know I should have given you something. It's just that it is very expensive. I want to give the boy because he is cute and young. But you are not cute and you can't afford me. Safiyanu da karambani.

Haven said that, you have been a humble and loyal servant. I think you deserve what you get today. "

She got on her feet, turned her back at him and shook her enormous fannies, they vibrated, and he felt his intestines crumbling.

His teeth chattered, eyes bulging and his face split into a wide green before he began to giggle like a buffoon. It was his day, the day he had dreamt of.Hmmmm, what was she doing? Was she actually raising her clothes up?

Kutuma!

He could not wait any longer.

" Are you ready for me?"She asked looking over her shoulder.

" Gallant! I am a horse."

"Then gallop."

The i***t began to gallop literary, laughing like a moron. Like? He was a moron! After five minutes of amusing her, and showing him the most sensitive parts of her body, he notices a thin hand gloves on her hands and he frowned but it was too late.

A Smith and Wesson was in her hand, silenced and she pointed it at him.

" You are getting what you deserve. It was cool while it lasted and I gave you a lot of cash. Those who work for me don't save . Enjoy your money while you can because you may expire at anytime. You have expired."

Before he could utter a word she had pulled the trigger.

Foop!

And a bullet was lodged into his chest.

Foop! Foop!!

Another into his stomach while the third went straight into his forehead. She was an expert shooter. He dropped dead at once. She saw his blank stare at her as he lay in his pool of blood.

She turned and pushed her buttocks towards his face.

" Can you feel it?" She shook it for seconds then giggled. " What a romantic death."

" Why Danny? Why did you have to kill him?" She smiled evilly then dialled a number. " Are they ready?........good, come in and make sure your gloves are on."

She lit cigarette.

" The only finger prints we need here is that of Safiyan and the guy who killed him: Danny." She soliloquized.

Five minutes later, a young rugged looking man came in, holding a digger and an envelope.

" Let me have it and go and start digging. Make it big, dan God."

She opened the envelope and saw newly printed photographs of Danny and Safiyan coming into the personage. Very good.

She sat down and smoked pot while she sipped wine. At a point , she forgot that she just killed Safiyan and his body was lying there.

Such thing never resonated with her. An hour later, after  seven wraps and ten sticks of cancer stick, two bottles of wine, the young man was dragged the body and threw it into the hole in the backyard. He cleaned the blood then threw all the trash along with the body.

" Hajiya angama(Hakiya it is done) ."

" Very good."

" Let me cover the hole."

" I will do that myself." She said.

"What?"

She pulled the trigger and shot him twice. He fell into the hole, wriggling in pains. She did not let him die before she began to cover the hole with sand. She was a strong lady. She buried him alive and covered the hole within twenty minutes.

She dialled a number when she was done.

" Witness is weakness." She said . " Grubby elements eliminated and obliterated. Into clean-up, into set-up, and the field is clear, the post is empty so it is a straight goal."

" Hmmm..." The thick voice from the other end.

" Jezebel. On my side, the goal is just around the corner. I just won a penalty shot."

" Don't miss it."

" You know I won't."

" What do we have today?'

" A marathon. I will be there."

" King Hasaa."

" Jezebel."

She ended the call and walked into her Mercedes Beast and drove off.

" Whoa!" Fateemah exclaimed. " It is beautiful!" she said walking round the ash coloured Peugeot 406 excitedly. " Mun yi mota(we have acquired a car) ."

Danny smiled. He loved her smile, and the brightness in her eyes when she did and the fact that this pretty sweet girl would be his in a few months time got him flying.

Her mother came out, and saw the car, prayed and congratulated him. He just came from Kaduna, dropped his bag at his uncle's house and drove straight here.

Two weeks before them, one Alhaji Bala had gone to look for him, begging him to sell his four bedroom bungalow which was next to Alhaji Bala's house. He wanted it to extend his house.Danny told him that it was not for sale. He was planning on renovating it, since the occupants just moved out, so he could rent it out.

Alhaji Bala was desperate so he asked Danny to follow him. He took Danny to the next street and showed him three blocks of two bedroom flats and said, " I will give this house to you then you sell that one for ten million Bollars. I really need it because it is the closest and I want an extension, please."

Please? He did not need to beg. This house he just showed him was worth at least thirty million and if that is added to the ten million ,made it forty million and his house was worth just fifteen million.

Danny said he would think about it but he knew he had already thought about it. He did not call Alhaji Bala until Alhaji Called him and said he would buy his for fifteen million. The deal was sealed that day.

Danny bought two Peugeot 406, for himself and Danny. He went to Jos and bought a portable two bedroom flat which was part of wedding plans. He saved four million Bollars. That was for his wedding. Gave his mum and siblings substantial amount and now he was here to take Fateemah out.

He told her about the house in Jos, showed her the picture and she was overjoyed. So it was for real!

It was just a few minutes after 9:00AM . He left Kaduna immediately after Fajr prayers.

" So, where did you say we are going to this early morning?" she asked.

" Just go in, get dressed and let's go. I have talked to mum already."

" A'an. I have not taken my bath yet."

" You mean you have to take your bath first?"

" Will I go out without taking my bath?"

" The bath, like woman bath?'

She chuckled.

"Which one is woman bath kuma?'

" Rub something on the face which must stick for thirty minutes first before washing, then another one hour in the bathroom, then one hour to decide which clothe to wear, then fifty minutes for make-up, then ......" she laughed.

" Just give me a few minutes and I am done. I attended Air Force Military School Jos fa."

" Su Teetee sojiya."

They laughed.

" Come in and wait."

" I will wait outside."

"You know mum would talk. I got a movie you would like."Forty minutes later when she came out of her room, he saw an epitome of glamour. There was something different about her that day, something he could not identify but her radiance, beauty and attractiveness challenged his phallocentrism.

" Teetee." He called softly, fixing my eye on her.

" Na'am.'

" You are beautiful." He said with a serious expression.

" Thank you." She blushed.

" Your beauty goes beyond glitter of your glossy hair, infectious smile, ravishing face, honey sweet voice, or slim wonderful structure.....it goes deeper into your system, your pellucid and pure heart, your supportive nature, your benevolence, religious ethics, understanding, loving and maturity. I wonder if there is a girl like you out there. There might be , but I know none like you.

I wonder if I deserve you, or what I have done to get blessed with a queen like you. Whatever it is, gratitude to the most High. I know the value of the gift God has given to me but it cannot be quantified. I will hold on to you, your love my queen.

I have never been close to any girl like you, and now we are on our way to been closer, and become the closest companions. I just want you to know that I love you with every breath I take, every move I make, every heartbeat I make ......goes along with my undying love for you."

She stood still for a while, blushing then a thin stream of tears cascaded down her cheeks.

" SubahanGod! What is wrong, Teetee?"

" I will deal with you for attempting to ruin my make up with your soul touching words that just sent me off this planet. I wish you know how my friends envy me, how my course mates respect me, just because I am fortunate to have a darling like you. A man who is true to his words, and knows how to love a woman, and make her feel on top of the world.

You say I am a queen. Who made me one? You put that crown on my head with your love, care my king. You have not just a fiancé .You have been a friend, mentor, elder brother, business partner and everything sweet. The pleasure is mine, the luck is mine but hope you know that I am captured by your heart and want to remain captured because nothing feels better than been there.

I get all the peace I want in your heart, the warmth, love, affection and materialised dreams. My-noor, I love you."

Her mum felt tears in her eyes, even though a part of her felt ashamed to be eavesdropping. This relationship was beyond her dream for her daughter. She was sure, very sure, that Danny was a answered prayer.

She had always prayed for her to meet what the youths called prince charming, or Mr Right as they called it in their days. Oh, and how many girls missed a lot of chances waiting for that Mr right?

" Let us go and get blessings from our mum." Danny said, "and remember, she knows where we are going so don't start the issue of we are staying out late."

She pouted.

" Are you not scared of me? Have you forgotten?"

" How could I forget the day you were shaking and was saying you did not want to hurt me."

They burst into laughter.

"I thought you have forgotten. You never mentioned it all these years."She said, " I was so scared that day. And you were coming at me like a movie villain, and I shivered but I felt saying that to get you intimidated. I was like, I don't want to hurt you, yet I was quivering."

" And the funniest part was when you made sure you had gone far, turned then said you would crush me, waggled  your tongue and gave me an uwarka then ran away."

Her mum chuckled but made sure it was in a low tone.

" Do you know the worst ting you did to me then?"

"A'a."

" Saying you will marry me. God!"

He laughed.

" I cried for days and mum kept teasing me. How could a boy or man say he wants to marry me!"

" And here we are.."

" You and who?"

" Me and you."

" Inaaa! We are just business partners."

" Before the business?"

" Hmmm...school mates?"

" Before the school?"

" Tom and Jerry."

They laughed.

" Let's go, I want us to get back before Maghrib." He said.

" Maghrib? Is that not to far? You want Mum to roast before frying me alive."

"Trust me , she knows. We got just today to do it. "

" Do what?"

"Let us go bid goodbye, Teetee."

Mrs Bamanga quickly ran into her room then feigned to be reading a novel. They bid her goodbye and left the house.

Fateemah took the passenger's seat while Danny went under the wheel,slot in the key key into the ignition and started the car engine. The engine was good.

They were now on the highway.

Fateemah glanced at him the smiled.

" I saw that."He said.

"Saw what?"

" The smile. Do you like to share?"

" No."

"Please."

"I said no."

" Please badan halina ba(plaese not for my habit) ."

She giggled and turned her face away.

" I was just imagining things....funny and ....manta kawai(just forget about it) ."

" Hey Teetee. I implore with gusto."

" Okay, I was kind of imagining we are married already and going out. Your claret coloured kaftan and cap give you that ango touch and .....just crazy things going on in my head.'

" Did you say crazy? This is the best imagination in the world, Teetee. And who says I don't feel the same? I have been daydreaming, and I can picture us in our portable home in Jos, going to school, going to the pharmacy, then home.......just been with you."

" Everything is just happening so fast, so good and surreal."

" Alhamdulillah." Then he remembered Jezebel. He had two days to the arranged murder. He hoped the DSS would sweep in on time. He wanted that woman apprehended and put away for life. Imagine her asking him to spend the night with her, reeking of cigarette and weed.

He had bluntly told her he was not interested and he had a fiancée. It was not his game. All she did was smile and said, "time shall tell."

Fateemah was flabbergasted when they pulled up at the parking lot of Woods. It was a popular furniture show room in Abuja known for expensive and exclusive furniture.

" What are we doing here?" she asked, her eyes wide opened.

" Home making. I saw an Italian leather sofa in their catalogue and I was thrilled."

" But you know we can't afford that. Abba is not that rich and all we anticipate is the roadside carpenter-made."

" Who said Abba has to pay for them?"

" If you are thinking of buying Kayan daki for me, forget it. I won't accept it."

" We discussed it with mum."

" Mum will never agree to this ."

" Mum would always listen to explanation before judgement."

"What explanation My-noor?"

" You are buying them."

she laughed.

" I have just one hundred and two thousand Bollars in my account."

" My wife is a big girl. How many students have earned such an amount?"

" Hmm..Su Danny masu wife. But seriously we can't go in. Ha'an!"

" Would you listen to me?"

" I would and I am."

" Good. I am selling my share of Amfat Pharmacy but do the honour of not changing the name. I want my name merged with your just like our lives."

" What are you talking about? The business is propitious, how can you sell it?"" I want you to run it before you build a company one day insha God. I have other plans and I am about to graduate. I am selling it for three hundred thousand Bollars."

"You can't be serious! That place is worth about three million."

" That is my decision. Besides I am selling to my wife so what? It is to my benefit. And now, We are going to spend one million Bollars for your kayan daki, which will be paid back to me in instalments from the shop.

That means, I would be given fifty thousand Bollars every month for twenty months but the three hundred thousand is to be paid in cash. I guess you have money in the business account to do that. We would sign a contract form. This is business so ba wasa." He smiled, " congratulations, CEO."

Who was this guy? What was he? How could he be so nice and giving? All these was a circuitous way of making her acquire these things without making it look like a gift. Smart bloke!

This was happening at a time when Abba was facing financial problems. Two of her siblings were also in school but thank God for what she had been making from the pharmacy. She even used to send money to them.

" My-noor, may God reward you abundantly. This is just a way of helping us and still making it look business."

"It is business, Teetee. We are going to sign a contract form."

" Business indeed but....I will like to employ you. You can't just abandon the place."

" Then the first thing we shall discuss is salary. Maganan kudi, ba wasa(there is no play when it comes to the issue of money) ."

They went in and shopping began. They bought sofa, dining table and chairs, and bed. The next place they went was an electronic shop where they bought refrigerator, deep freezer, washing machine and kitchen appliances.

The money was not enough to buy all they needed but the major things had been gotten. Fateemah was so happy.

They had gone for lunch and had a delicious meal before the shopping continued. While Fateemah was purchasing a toaster, Danny excused himself to get bottled water. It was then he saw a man carrying some packets of beverage in a basket, hawking. Then Danny saw one which attracted his attention.

Was it not the Metabolic flusher Fateemah had been talking about? She said they used it once and everybody loved it but since then, they could not find it. Even her father's boss, who had given it to them could not find it again.

Danny called the man and the man began to advertise his products. But Danny pointed at the Flusher and the man said it was not for sale. Danny asked why, and the man said, it has been paid for and only one was available and he was taking it to a customer.

It was been brought from Congo and becoming very scarce. Danny asked how much it cost. The man said three thousand Bollars. Danny offered six thousand for the available one. After a little hesitation, he sold it.

They got home a few minutes to Maghrib after a hectic day of shopping. They had to hire some boys to help offload the goods. Then Danny went for prayers.

Mrs Bamanga was overwhelmed as she saw the items they bought. She could not believe she was on her way to becoming a grandmother. She had prepared an empty room at the boys quarters where the things were carefully arranged.

They had dinner after Isha and Danny been so tired, decided to go. He said goodnight to Mrs Bamanga and Fateemah decided to see him off.

" You are tired Teetee."

" You should be more tired. You just drove from KD and came here atonce."

" Aura wasane(is marriage a joke) ?" He giggled.

" Everything is just happening like a dream."

" I have been waiting for this day. Has Abba told you?"

"What?"

" They are coming next wek insha God.'

" Who?"

" My people. Coming to pay dowry and the date would be fixed."

" Ya Salam! Nobody told me."

" Abba kenan. I guessed Mum does not know."

" If she knew, she would have told me. He may not talk until two days to the day and we would start rushing the preparation."

" My dad used to be like that. Hajiya used to call him last minute."

" Savage,"she chuckled, " God jikanshi(may his soul rest in peace) ."

" Ameen."

" I pray we all leave with kalimatu shahada."

" Ameen."

They were both leaning on the car.

" SubahanGod! I nearly forgot."

" What?"

" Surprise."

He went into the car, and brought out something and hid it behind him.

" Guess what?'

" Ice-cream.'

" Nay."

" Kilishi.'

" Nay."

" I give up.'

"Tada!"

"Oh my God! Metabolic Flusher! How did you get it?"

He told her.

" Dad would jump like a baby. It did a lot of good to him. Everyone. Won't you wait and have some?'

" Kai! I can't wait. I collected the guy's number. He promised that when next he gets it ,he would call me."

" This single packet can last a week. You will take out of this. It performs magic."

" Tomorrow then."

She looked at him, then smiled.

" Thank you for coming into my life."

" Thank you for accepting me into your life."

" I love you, Mallam Danny Adam."

Danny laughed. She had never called him like that.

" I love you more than you can imagine. Just take care of yourself for me."

" I will."

He fought the urge to hold her hands, kiss her lips and cheeks. Relax . It's just a few months away.

" Good night, Teetee."

" Good night My-noor."

They smiled at each other before he started the car and drove away. He needed a sound sleep.He arrived home a few minutes to 9:00PM, then went straight to his room which was a guest room actually.

He took a hot shower and wore his pyjamas and performed two raka'ats before jumping on the bed. He then fell into a light sleep.

But the sudden buzz of his phone woke him up and he picked the phone abruptly. He picked but  heard nothing.

" Hello, hello...." The line went dead before a text message came in. He opened it and read it.

Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un!

He sprang out of the bed, jittery, confused, put the phone in his pocket, carried the car keys,a wad of cash then ran out.

The gatekeeper was astonished on his strange behaviour. Danny drove out of the compound with alacrity and sent the car whipping. It was a few minutes to 11:30 PM.

He arrived within thirty minutes and rushed into the house and he cringed.

Uthman Bamanga was lying on the sofa and from all indication, he was dead. He sent the text message before he died and it seemed he could not complete it. It read: the beverage you sent to us just killed us but it is not your.....

Innalillahi wa inna ilahi raji'un.

On the other side was Jibril and Abubakr, Fateemah's younger brothers lying dead. They looked like they were sleeping but he knew they were gone.

Then Mrs Bamanga lay dead on the corridor, with her hands on her tommy. Danny dialled his uncle's number and told him to ge medics, whatever he could do.

Danny was quivering, not knowing if this was real or a nightmare because he was still in his pyjamasWhere was Fateemah? He ran into her bedroom and saw her on the floor, a cup of the poisonous beverage close to her. She was struggling to breath, and it seemed she was the last to drink out of it.

" What have I done? What ....."

He bent over her and carried her in his arms. Tears disgorging from his eyes. She shook her head and whisperd, " not- not- your fault.....they used you.."

"Who, why ,what? Okay, just keep hush, we would go to hospital, the medics are coming, ..."he was confused then saw her strength diminishing.

 One part of him got angry, why was he reciting the kalima? Did he wish her dead? Another part, a more reasonable part told him it was the right thing to do.

" Please stay by me, Teetee, Please don't leave me. Dan God, Ya God save her for me."

He was confused. He could not wait for medics. He would carry her to hospital.

" It's ...too- late," she whispered, making an effort to look at him, " we-are destined- not to get married to each other.....please live on....pray for us..."and when she tried to force a smile, he broke down into tears, crying like a baby.

He could not believe Teetee was dying in his arms, the arms he had hoped will keep her warm. The girl they spent the whole day together, preparing for wedding. No! Was that the strange feeling he could not identify? And the brighter look she had that day?

He felt as if his hold could stop the life sniffing out. He grabbed her and held her tighter, still chanting the kalima and she was muttering it.

" You - know I....am ..a monotheist and ....Monotheism means ...peace. " she managed to say, forcing a smile, with the hope of pacifying him, she saw how broken he was, this was her destiny and he had to live on. " Laila a ilallah...." And she took her last breath.

The tears in his eyes stopped, he stopped crying, then looked at her serene ,pretty face, like she was just having a nap.

Was she really gone?

" Teetee.."he whispered, " Teetee...Can you hear me? I am still here, and I will always be here with you."

Her hands sagged and he saw that she was actually gone.

He could not cry now. He could not think straight. He felt something blurring his sight, then a buzzing sound in his head. He just knelt down, refusing to let her body go, holding her tight while he heard himself muttering prayers.

" Okay boy, " A policeman said, " Your game is over."

A full truck of policemen had arrived. He was not aware that one of them had removed his phone and checked.

" The message was sent to him.' He said to the one who held Uthman's phone. " He did it."

Danny was handcuffed, but he did not protest or argue. All he had on his mind was Fateemah's image, the times they spent together, their words, plans and from that day, to the time, to the moment he was telling Barrister Maryam this, he could literary count how many times he had spoken.