_Shut up and dance with me!_The song from the TV screamed at June who sat almost lifeless on the sofa in the living room. She couldn't bring herself to go to school the next day. She had left the house earlier that morning pretending like she was heading for school but stayed out at her late grandfather's farm then sneaked back after she was sure everyone had left. Joanna wasn't speaking to her anymore. She didn't even budge when June tried to apologize later that night, or when she tried to bring up a conversation at all. It was like she became invisible to her. Never had she felt distant from her sister like she did now. At the moment she was trying to find solace in music. It has always been an escape for her. She had learned that shortly after her grandfather's death. When she was faced with any pain or grief, she would just let herself drown in the beats and rhythm. But it wasn't working as she had thought it would. Rather than taking away her sorrows, it intensified them. The
Morning prayers was a very huge part of the Chike's household's daily routine. Coming from a strong Catholic background, June and Joana's mother Gladys never allowed anyone to leave the house without them all praying together, no matter what time it was or how late they were going to be. Every morning they gathered in the living room where she occasionally led the prayers or sometimes appoint one of the twins to. This Friday was no different with her leading the prayers and shortly after, they all went back to their various routine, the girls preparing for school and the parents preparing for another day at the pharmacy. She got into the kitchen to prepare breakfast and by the time she came out, June was helping Joana dress her hair in a ponytail, both of them already in their uniform."I see you girls have resolved whatever issue you had before," Gladys said to them with a smile."Yes mom, I couldn't stay mad at her forever," Joana said looking up to her sister, they never felt closer
"Okay, Mrs?""Mrs. Ajayi," Maryam answered the officer. He had taken her to his desk due to the gravity of her words. He wanted to question her better. He wrote down her name on a paper."Alright, I'm Officer James, you can start from the beginning." He said gesturing with his pen.Maryam took in a deep breath, both her hands on her knees to keep them from shaking. She tried to weigh the situation. Is all of this worth it? What if Margret was right? What if Sylvester left her? She slowly let the breath out through her mouth in a whistle. If she was right or wrong, it was already too late for her to turn back now."I got home last week Friday to discover that Sylvester wasn't around--""Is that the man you're talking about?" Officer James asked."Yes.""And you said he's your boyfriend and the father of your child?""Yes."Officer James gave a slight nod. He seemed to write down something on his paper with each response."Continue.""So he wasn't around and when I asked my daughter she
Abike Badmus sat at the edge of the bed as she watched her husband Mike put on his agbada. As she watched, she shook her legs in such a way that showed that something bothered her, and her husband knew that too."If you have something to say you better talk now." He said staring at his reflection from the mirror as he fitted his cap to his head."I'm just wondering about the kind of man you are. It's like after all these years I don't know who you are anymore."Mike smiled then turned to face her. He pulls back the long yard cloth to prevent them from falling off his arms before he spoke."I'll tell you what kind of man I am. I am the kind that provides the roof you're living under, the kind that provides the soft wide deluxe bed you're sitting on. The kind that provides the elegant meals you eat, the vacation and shopping trips you have with your friends to Dubai. I made all of this happen." He said with satisfaction and gestured with his arms out wide.
School closed early as usual on Friday and the girls decided to head to Grace's home. There, they were going to get ready for Bright's party. Also, that was where they told everyone they would be that evening because they didn't want anyone in on what was going on. Margret, Joana, and June told their parents they running a school project at Grace's place. Veronica said the same to Hakim.Grace and Efe lived on the top floor of a one-story building. Their apartment was at the third door to the left. They walked up the stairs to the front of the apartment as Grace brought out her keys to open the door. Just as she struggled with the keys in the keyhole, Mama Favour, her neighbor came out from her apartment."Ah Grace, you don come back?"(1)Grace sighed, her eyes and hands still on the frustrating lock. Here she goes again stating the obvious, she thought. Mama Favour, like most housewives, was one of the few nosy neighbors in the compound, the only one living ups
Dusk was already setting over the evening sky. A crowd of teenagers was starting to gather at Sultan's Hotel. The DJ was starting to hit them with waves of good music. Bright's party had started.The girls walked past the gate with a nauseating feeling in their stomachs. A constant reminder that the night could go either way. According to their plan, Grace would be with Raymond throughout the night then draw him out till there would be alone, allowing their killer to strike. The rest would watch from a distance while all these played out but would be there to catch him when he appeared.It wasn't hard for them to find Raymond. He was the loudest of all the boys, yelling and jumping in approval at every song the DJ played. He wore baggy shorts and a big vintage shirt, his face cap turned backward, and a bottle of Hennessey in his left hand."Okay, so we all know what to do right?" Veronica tried to confirm one last time. They all nodded in reply.Jus
After the girls had left Grace alone, she had decided the only option was to blend in the crowd so she wouldn't look out of place. Her plan didn't work for long though as Raymond caught her not long after."Gracie!!" He called with his hands up as soon as he sighted her. "I swear I didn't think you'd come." He said as he got closer to her."Well am here, aren't I?""Yeah, you are. And you said this night is about bygones, so why are we dulling eh?" He curled up his lips. "Am almost done with this bottle, it won't do us any good. Let's go to the bar."Not waiting to hear Grace's response, he dragged her towards the bar."Barman, one bottle of Henny please." He ordered as he took a seat. Grace didn't and he noticed."What's up with you?" He asked.'Yeah Grace, what's up with you? You finally found the excitement you were looking for and now you are acting like a baby.' She thought.She gave a slight shrug. Her caution didn'
Veronica hadn't thought anything through after leaving Joana. Her head was already starting to hurt. Too many thoughts, too many people, too many possibilities. Just like the rest, she wanted the night to end too."Good evening." She said to the man behind the counter at the bar."Hello," He replied with a beaming smile. "What can I get you?""Nothing. I just want to ask something."The bartender kept quiet to hear what she had to say."The drinks, where are they stored?" She said regretting her words almost immediately. The man raised a brow."Are you the police or something?""No no. Uhm, I just want to know, have they been opened before, or they are still sealed until it gets here from your store.""Of course! We can't just open everything down because customers are plenty. What if they don't order as much as we thought they would. Do you want to make me pay with my salary? (1)"Veronica curled her lower lip in frustr