SHATTERED Episode 7

SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 7

  “But seriously Mummy, what did Aunty say about Bayo's health?" Tayo asked curiously as himself and his Mother waited for Bayo to be wheeled out of the theatre.

"She does not know too.” Bayo's Mother heaved a deep breath.

  “She explained to me that for some months now, Bayo has been pale and he walks strangely with a leap. She further stated that when she pressed Bayo for the truth, he said he fell down." Bayo's Mother turned her eyes away to prevent her tears from being seen.

"Is that all?... I don't believe this story Mum.” Tayo hit the seat he was sitting on furiously.

“That is all I know and she said she had taken him to the hospital there, but they recommended a specialist. Thank God I came there right on time to bring my son to safety. Poor thing, you should have seen the pain in my eyes the day I arrived there. My son did not run to me or anything. He was just cold... I really made a mistake.” Bayo's Mother shook her head with a sign of disappointment.

  Some Nurses approaching them
with a little boy on a stretcher brought the discussion to an abrupt halt. Tayo and his Mum walked towards the Nurses. Bayo was just quiet, he was yet to recover from anesthesia.

"Thank you Jesus!" Bayo's Mother cried out as she looked more closely at her son.

  The Nurses wheeled Bayo into the ward and he was in the Hospital for two weeks.

  “I can't stand on my feet" Bayo cried out some days before he was discharged.

  He had been on the bed for over a week. His right leg was operated on to remove a tumor that had formed there. Bayo's first step on the floor that faithful day was painful and he staggered back to the bed.

  “Please try to move that leg. Help yourself" Bayo's mother advised as she helped Bayo back to his feet.

It was certain Bayo was not going back to Mrs Jerry, but he had grown so fond of the city and it took him a while to adapt to the life in the town. He had issues relating with his siblings and because he now leaps, he became withdrawn. As days went by, Bayo gradually got used to his new environment.

“You cannot always be at home. So I have decided that you will start schooling here." Bayo's Mother brought out a school registration form and showed it to Bayo.

  “Thank you ma!" said Bayo who was wondering what the school will be like.

  Bayo felt different among the Students. He was intelligent and that made the Teachers love him, but he always felt the Students of the School was making jest of the way he walked.

  A bike conveyed Bayo to school and back home everyday. He had pleaded with the bike man to keep to time.

"I want to arrive in school when the assembly is on and I only want to leave when everyone had all gone home." Bayo explained to the bike man.

  At first, the bike man found it ridiculous, but later succumbed to Bayo's plea.

Two years gone and Bayo's health kept deteriorating he could barely walk upright and he suffered episodes of pain.

  “We are sorry, but your son has a rare form of tumor in his bones. It might be some kind of cancerous tumor and we advice you take him to an Orthopedic Specialist Hospital and his life is at risk too. He will gradually lose his mobility and it will be advisable to get him a wheelchair. He is most likely to... You know, die at a point due to the level of pain he experiences.” The Doctor in charge of Bayo's case tried to explain.

  “Thank you so much Doctor. I don't even know what to say.” Bayo's Mother said trying to keep the tears in her eyes from dropping. She knew better as a Medical Practitioner herself.

  Bayo had come to understand that his mother was not as poor as Mrs Jerry posed her to be, but Bayo always wondered why his Mother never saw a need to come check on him.

  He had seen the medical report where his Mother kept it and he wept bitterly that such an information was hidden from him.

"They hate me!" Bayo cried all alone in the room one morning.

  “They hate me and that is the reason why no one saw a need to rescue me until it got to this.” Bayo screamed as he looked down at his right leg. His voice had a baritone tune like that of his brother, Tayo.

  Bayo leaps got worse after each episode of pain. This month he was in school and next month he was not. He knew he was gradually becoming immobile and his attempts to correct it were futile.

"But why can't we just go to the Orthopedic Specialist as advised" Bayo wondered silently on his bed during one of his pain episode.

"She can't afford that much for now. Your siblings are all in tertiary institutions and the first child in the family just got married. Think about the cost.” Bayo explained to himself, but he soon concluded that it was not a good excuse.

  Since he was always alone at home, Bayo devised a means to keep himself busy. Going to school was no longer an option for him. So he sat at home, now in his wheelchair and read any book he found.

"Bayo! Bayo! Bayo!" Tayo who had come home from school for some days screamed as he saw Bayo laying on the floor. His wheelchair turned to a corner beside him.

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SHATTERED Episode 6

SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 6

  “Bayo, clean up the guest room and take her bag inside.” Mrs Jerry smiled in a rather nervous way.

"Bayo, can you recognize this face?” the woman asked when she was finally alone with Bayo.

"No..." Bayo answered abruptly without looking up from tidying the bed in the guest room.

  “I am your mother." she said almost in tears.

  “I don’t think so. I have seen your pictures before but I don’t know who it is." Bayo said. He completed adjusting the bedspread and left the room without looking his Mother in the eyes.

  Bayo's mother felt like a truck had ran over her. She could not place where the pain was coming from, but she sure was not feeling too well.

  “Is this what have become of my son?" Bayo's mum placed her hands on her head.

"Is this why he never accompanied them home all these years?"

"And they told me to check on my child once in a while o! But I believed he was in safe hands. What do I do to this strange Bayo now?" Bayo's mother muttered, all wrapped up in her soliloquy.

  It was almost mid-day when Bayo's Mum arrived. Bayo was yet to eat breakfast, not to mention lunch. But a quick lunch was made and in 2hours, everyone including Bayo sat at the dining table to eat.

  Bayo system had gotten used to being starved of food sometimes for two days and the meal before him looked scary. After gulping several spoons of rice down his throat, Bayo rushed to the toilet to throw up.

  “Is he sick?" Bayo's Mother asked with concern as she rushed after Bayo.

"Alakoba buruku! This boy wants to put me in trouble" Mrs Jerry hissed as she sluggishly followed the two.

  Mr Jerry soon returned from office and being the jovial man who can make light any issue no matter how serious it were, he made the family laughed as he cracked jokes after jokes.

"Don't you see that Bayo’s mother is wicked as it is.” Mrs Jerry whispered to her husband ear at night in their room.

"How? What do you mean?" Mr Jerry turned surprisingly.

"She didn't even tell us she was coming.” Mrs Jerry hissed.

  “That would not have changed anything and besides, she does not have a phone.” Mr Jerry noticed the furry in his wife eyes.

  She had always hated when her husband supports the Johnsons, Bayo's family.

  The next two days was a peaceful for Bayo. He ate when the family ate and all the unnecessary chores were scrapped. Then the heartbreak came. Bayo heard his Mother praying about her trip back to the town.

"Are you leaving already?” Bayo asked beside his mother in the guest room.

  For two days now on his Mother’s visit, Bayo slept with his Mum in that room. He tried to feed her in with all his experience, but it seems his Mother wasn't believing his story even with obvious scars.

  “And now she wants to leave me here alone?" Bayo turned away at that thought and he tried to cry, but the tears were not coming until he slept.

  The following day, bags were packed and Mr Jerry called that he would be late to the office so he could drop Bayo's Mother at the park. Bayo did his chores with such a heavy heart that was obvious on his face.

"Bayo!" Bayo heard Mrs Jerry's voice calling from his room and he knew better not to wait for her to call him the second time.

  “Pack this clothes in this bag. You are going with your mother to the specialist hospital in town. They should understand why you're pale and all that as they have foreign Doctors there. It is still quite better to the ones we have here in the city.” Mrs Jerry explained to Bayo who was not even listening.

  He cared less about what she said. What was important to him at that time was leaving that house for good.

  Everything was set and after the prayer by Mr Jerry, the car moved. Bayo had never felt relieved like this all his life. He stretched his legs at the back of the car where he was sitting and smiled sheepishly until they got to the park.

  The journey back home was stressful, but it really did not matter to Bayo. What was important was the fact that he was free.

  The bus pulled over to a building that seems to bring vivid flash-scenes to Bayo's memory, but he could not understand it until someone called out his name as he was about to alight from the bus.

  “We are home.” Bayo's Mother gave Bayo a helping hand. He was so slim that it sometimes looked like he was about to fall.

"Really?" Bayo held his Mother tightly as he jumped out of the bus.

  Bayo's eyes interlocked with a lady eyes. She has so much resemblance with her Aunt. Bayo knew that must be his sister, but he wasn't sure which it was as both sisters looked alike from the pictures he saw.

"Why is she crying?" Bayo asked his Mum who had also seen Titi crying bitterly and now running towards the back of the compound.

"Don't worry dear. Just go inside.” Bayo observed the unusual nonchalance from his family towards him.

  Tayo wore a frown as he packed the bags inside the house. Bayo got to know that Funmi, his other sister was in school, a tertiary institution not far from the town.

"Mummy, this woman must pay for this! See my brother!" Bayo heard Tayo's baritone voice vent in anger as he came out of the bathroom after a refreshing birth.

  He had listened as his Mother tried to calm Tayo down and Bayo could not help but wonder at the strange events in the house.

  Early the next morning, Bayo's mother had woken him up and they hastened to get ready to the hospital.

  “I work there and any further delay will leave us at the reception for hours." Bayo's Mother explained to Bayo who was still sleepy.

  They got to the hospital premises around 7:20am and Patients were already filling up the reception. Bayo's Mum was Favoured as a staff and Bayo was attended to in no time.

  Several tests and X-rays left Bayo very tired at about 11o'clock. He just wanted to sit down somewhere and save himself the stress but no way.

"Just this last test and you are done" The Doctor attending to Bayo said trying to encourage him.

"We are sorry ma, but we need to admit this boy and we will take him to the theater as early as possible to save his life. You should not have left him till it got so complicated like this" The Doctor gave Bayo's mother a document to sign.

  Mrs Lara Johnson tried to remain calm, but her hands failed her as she signed the documents. She watched, almost in tears as her little Bayo was being wheeled to the surgical ward of the hospital.

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SHATTERED Episode 5

SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 5

  “You expect me to be a partner to this right?" Mr Jerry asked calmly trying to smile, but his smile failed him.

  “Not like he is dead. I know what to do to bring him back around. I just need you to help me take him to the room." Mrs Jerry explained quite calmly now, but her husband wasn't having any of it.

"We cannot keep an unconscious boy under this roof because you know what to do. We are taking him to the hospital and that is the only thing I'll support.” Mr Jerry was now furious. He stomped away angrily.

Such anger had never been seen in his face by his wife before. He stamped his feet on the floor and rushed into his room slamming the door behind him.

"You fool! I do not know what to do with you now.” Mrs Jerry stared at Bayo's body and pulled his hands, carrying him to his room.

  A week was gone and Bayo was still laying unconscious in his room. Without any sense of remorse, Mrs Jerry came in fixing drip after drips for Bayo. She had learned how to do that in her little time in a Nursing School before she was withdrawn due to her poor performance.

  Two weeks later, Bayo was awake and he could relate well with everyone.

"Thank God nothing bad happened to his brain, you would have seen the part of me that you've never seen before.” Mr Jerry said bitterly as he sat conversing with Bayo.

  “How many times will I tell you that I am sorry? It was the devil at work" Mrs Jerry turned away from her husband sitting beside Bayo on the bed.

"Let's just thank God anyway.” Mr Jerry shook his head as he watched his wife make for the door of Bayo's room.

  Days turned to weeks and weeks to months and gradually, to years and Bayo continued in the city with the assaults from his Aunt.

  “I don't think I have a living family.” Bayo had explained to Dave who had become Bayo's best friend despite the warnings.

  “I now know my dad is dead, but what about my mum and siblings?" Bayo cried.

  “Maybe they are really poor and they cannot afford the transport fare like your Aunt said.” Dave tried to find the right word to console his friend.

  “But my Aunt and her husband go occasionally to my home town and I believe they should be helping out a little.” Bayo tried to reason with his neglect by his family.

"One thing is sure Bayo, someday, all this will be over and you will have your freedom." Dave encouraged as they parted ways to their homes.

******

A year later and Bayo was going to be 11years in a few months. It was a cold morning during the holidays and he had offended his Aunt again as usual.

  “Today, I will make sure I kill you!" Mrs Jerry had sworn and her eyes spoke of being serious about her threats.

This was not her first time to threaten Bayo, and she had sure almost killed him once, but today, seems strange for Bayo.

  “Dying will even be better than a day more in this dungeon.” Bayo smirked.

  He was so used to the physical and verbal assault that it was not a matter of concern to him anymore.

  Bending down by the water tank in the backyard to wash a bucket that he had left unattended to while not knowing Mrs Jerry’s bone of contention for the moment, Bayo heard a bike pulled over towards the backyard. He feared Mrs Jerry might be seeing him through the kitchen window so he did not bother to see who it was.

  “Good morning here.” a woman who just alighted from the bike greeted.

  “Good morning." Bayo replied without lifting himself up from the washing position.

  The woman couldn't get her eyes off Bayo little body. He looked frail and pale and yet, still busy with what he was doing and at that, effectively.

  “You will get your reward today!" Mrs Jerry’s  curse brought back this woman from her thoughts.

  She quickly moved her gaze from Bayo and focused on the kitchen door where the voice was coming from, but not without drying the tears welling in her eyes.

  “Ah! See who we have here o!" Mrs Jerry screamed as she opened the door to the sight of this woman.

  “Can’t you bring her in or at least take her bag from her?" Mrs Jerry called out to Bayo who just noticed the bag the woman was holding.

  “I am sorry ma!" Bayo said reaching for the bag. Bayo's words sent chills down this woman spine as she walked behind Bayo into the house.

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SHATTERED Episode 4

SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 4

  "I don't know what to say about this situation?" Mrs Jerry said looking at the Police man and his colleague.

  “But you admit you know him?" a Policeman across the stand asked, as he noted some things into the book before him.

  “Hmm... He is like a son to me and he has been living with me for 4years now. I would not lie to you about him.” Mrs Jerry explained to the Policemen. She occasionally stared at the police men who were still standing beside her.

  Mrs Jerry's colleague had rushed into the office calling Mrs Jerry from a distance. Mr Jones the colleague had explained seeing Bayo in Police custody and how Mrs Jerry is the only one that can bail Bayo out.

  “Are you sure of what you're saying?" Other colleagues had asked.

It was quite surprising for them that Bayo was missing for 3days and Mrs Jerry didn't mention it to anyone in the office.

  “Can we have the boy now?" Mr Jones asked the Policeman.

  It was obvious he was not comfortable with Mrs Jerry's sad look.

  “She should have done this before now.” Mr Jones whispered to himself.

"We will need to see her husband first before we can release the boy to her." The Policeman said. Mr Jerry hurried into the station almost immediately.

  “I went to pick you at your office and I was told that you are here. They told me everything. Thank you Mr Jones!" Mr Jerry walked to the stand giving Mr Jones a handshake.

  After signing some papers, Bayo was brought out from a corner of the station. He looked so haggard and hungry. Mr Jones had to buy him a snack outside the station.

"Please ma, take good care of this boy. If he felt comfortable like you claimed, he won't make attempt to run away" Mr Jones counselled as he drove away in his own car.

  The drive home in Mr Jerry's car was quiet. Bayo did not say anything, but he expected the worst from his aunt on getting home. The couple were mute too and it made the drive home quite tense.

  “Maybe I am not good for anything like my Aunty always said. This should have been successful, but unfortunately, I do not even know the name of the town I was heading to. What a life!" Bayo kept thinking about his runaway until he slept off half way home.

  “Animal! Why won't you sleep?" a big slap on the back woke Bayo up from the car.

"After trying to put me in trouble, you now want to sleep, this is just the beginning for you! Everything your late father did to me, I'll make sure you pay for it.” Mrs Jerry screamed at Bayo who now felt weak at the realization that his father is dead.

  Bayo walked into the house as if a heavy stone was placed on his foot.

"So I have no father? Who then was I running away to meet?" Bayo quickly cleaned the tears welling in his eyes.

  Bayo had grown up to understanding  life as it brings its toll. He was so intelligent and easily understands any topic  that seems difficult for his mates.

  The next few months were calm for Bayo and his Aunt. Like his attempt to escape brought a renewal for him not until a day when Bayo came home late from school.

  “Where are you coming from?" Mrs Jerry asked staring at the clock in the living room.

  Bayo knew he had overplayed in school and he only prayed his Aunt won't get home before him, but his prayers were not answered.

  “I am coming from school. We had extra curricular activities in school." Bayo said, trying to be confident. He was used to the beatings, so why fret anyways.

  “A Teacher from your school told me you were playing football in school and you dare stand there and lie to me?" Bayo knew he was up for it as usual as Mrs Jerry rushed into the kitchen.

  Bayo didn't move from where he was. Mrs Jerry came out from the kitchen hitting Bayo on the head with a hammer. Bayo collapsed to the ground and Mrs Jerry kicked hard on him before walking by.

  “Nonsense! I don't know what you take me for!" Mrs Jerry hissed.

"If you like sleep there till tomorrow, that's none of my business." Mrs Jerry walked away from Bayo's helpless body on the ground and switched on the TV.

  Ten minutes later, Bayo was not moving and now, Mrs Jerry was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

"Bayo! Stand up!" she walked up to Bayo and kicked him, but no response.

She kept kicking, but Bayo was not moving. Mrs Jerry quickly knelt down beside Bayo to check his pulse

  “I'm done for!" Mrs Jerry screamed placing her hand on her head as she ran into her room and rushed out almost immediately.

She secured the door and quickly made for the street.

"Where are they now? I can't go into my own house after a long day in the office" Mr Jerry walked around perplexed as he found the door to the house secured.

He never bothered to go with his key as he normally came home with his wife and days he will be hours longer at the office, his wife will be at home. He was confused why today was different and Bayo too was not at home. He decided to wait in his car.

"Keep the change!" Mrs Jerry alighted from a bike running into the house without noticing her husband.

She rushed in towards Bayo's body and she cried bitterly after checking his pulse.

"What is going on here?" Mr Jerry screamed pushing his wife hands away from Bayo's body.

"So you finally got what you want huh?" Mr Jerry stood up weak, pacing around the living room.

"You will not leave me alone with him right? You will help me out?" Mrs Jerry asked sniffing deeply.

Mr Jerry snapped his fingers, staring intently and yet furiously into his wife eyes.

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SHATTERED Episode 3

SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 3 

  “Repeat what I told you about having friends." Mrs Jerry screamed at Bayo from the entrance to the kitchen as he was just returning from school.

  “I should not have any friends ma..." Bayo spoke quickly like each word was a hot coal in his mouth.

  “And who is Dave that you now walk home with for the past two weeks now?" Mrs Jerry asked shaking her leg as she leaned on the door post.

  “He... He is... My... He is my friend" Bayo stuttered.

"Your friend?... Very good! Before you turn yourself into something else under my nose, I'll deal with you.” Mrs Jerry walked closer to where Bayo was.

  Bayo knew better not to run away. The last time he did, he slept outside the house and all of Mr Jerry's effort did not change a thing.

  “I'm done for!" Bayo screamed within as several drops of tears fell down his eyes soaking his uniform’s collar.

  “Go in there, change your clothes and come back here in the next one minute!" Mrs Jerry screamed and Bayo ran like lightening into his room and back within a minute.

  “I am sorry ma.” Bayo knelt down as he stepped into the living room.

  “I will not have any friend again ma!" Bayo pleaded as he moved closer to his Aunt on his knees.

  “What do you take me for, you animal?" Mrs Jerry picked a cable wire from the corner of the chair she was sitting.

  “You useless being! Do you think people like you are worthy of friendship?... See how small and unattractive you are and you want to make friends?" Mrs Jerry walked closer, hitting Bayo with the wire on his body.

Bayo screamed and cried, but it was a secluded area and no one ever came to his rescue since he had been there and every other day of beating.

  “Get up from my living room floor and get into that bathroom to wash yourself. Dirty thing!" Mrs Jerry screamed kicking weak Bayo up his feet.

Bayo staggered into his room and immediately into the bathroom. As each drop of water touched his skin, he cried bitterly.

  “I must find a means to get out of here!" Bayo cried bitterly and fell into the bathtub in tears.

  “Why is Bayo not here on the dining with us?” Mr Jerry asked. He had returned from work and did not see Bayo around. He wondered where Bayo had gone since he returned.

  “He is sleeping. He will eat his meal when he wakes up.” Mrs Jerry explained without blinking.

  “I know that is a lie. You are at it with Bayo again?" Mr Jerry pushed his plate away with disgust.

“Wait, is he your son? Why the trouble?" Mrs Jerry spoke furiously.

  Mr Jerry stood sadly from the table. He made his way to Bayo's room and saw him sleeping.

  “I am really sorry about this. I cannot help but imagine what my wife will do to our own kids if her temper eventually permits us one." Mr Jerry placed his hand on Bayo observing the welts on his body.

That night was without food for Bayo. It was his usual punishment anytime he offended his Aunt.

  “Someday, I wish my parent would come look for me here" Bayo mussed as he turned on the bed when Mr Jerry left.

"You good for nothing child! You expect me to come wake you up in the morning like a baby? I'll teach you a lesson you will never forget!" Mrs Jerry screamed as she stepped into the kitchen noticing the house chores were yet undone.

Bayo learned to wake up as early as 5:am to begin the chores. He had to clean every gadget in the house and sweep the living room and surroundings of the house before heading to school everyday. She uses the cleaned table as a mirror to check her face after Bayo had cleaned it and would beat him terribly if she could not see her face there. Mrs Jerry had warned him never to exceed 7:35am at home, but not without completing his chores.

"Bayo!" with a cable wire in her hand, Mrs Jerry furiously pushed Bayo's empty room open.

"Where are you?" she looked into the bathroom but Bayo was not there.

  Bayo's books, his bags and clothes were all in order. His room looked neat and calm, but no sign of Bayo anywhere.

"Bayo! Bayo!! What is wrong with this boy?" Mrs Jerry screamed heading towards the backyard nervously.

  “Only God knows what Bayo has done to deserve this scream as early as 6:30am.” Mr Jerry shook his head as he made for the bathroom in his room.

  “I cannot find him!" Mrs Jerry rushed into the room, sitting quietly, yet nervously on the bed.

“You cannot find who?" asked Mr Jerry coming out of the bathroom with a towel strapped around his waist.

  “Who else do you expect?" Mrs Jerry smirked within.

  “I cannot find Bayo anywhere around the house." Mrs Jerry explained calmly.

  “So what should I do about that?" Mr Jerry asked calmly trying to hide his own nervousness.

  “What sort of question is that?" Mrs Jerry stood abruptly facing her husband.

“He is not my son and only you can decide anything pertaining to Bayo. Remember?" Mr Jerry turned away towards the bathroom.

  “Not in this situation, Dear" Mrs Jerry tried to stop her husband from walking out on her.

  “Maybe you should look around for him. He must likely be busy with one of your unreasonable chores or is in the usual corner serving punishment." Mr Jerry wasn't having any of his wife drama. In a way, he was happy something about Bayo troubled his wife.

  Mr Jerry's house was quite the night after Bayo got missing. Mrs Jerry was clumsy, but her husband was calm. Yet, none of the duo made any effort to find Bayo.

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SHATTERED Episode 2

SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 2
 
  The night was calm and quiet. Every room in Bayo's home had a living being in it, but the house was just so quiet as if no one was breathing in it.

The cock-crow from the backyard in the early hours of the morning broke the silence in the house.

  “Good morning” was heard here and there as everyone did the usual morning routine.

  Soon enough it was mid-day. There had been women outside the house cooking for the guest. Everyone ate to their satisfaction except the Johnsons.

  “We need to put some things in place among our brother’s wealth." a voice from a room in the house explained.

  “So we will have to close his room and go with the kids.” Mr Aare Johnson, one Bayo's Uncle continued.

  Hot tears welled down Bayo's Mum face. She felt a deep pain in her stomach and she heaved a deep sigh that signified hurt.

  Bayo's mother was soon left alone with the kids. No one bothered to check on her except the neighbours.

  “My kids, now you understand what life is... People only love you when you're rich. It is until after you lose everything that you will know your true friends.” Bayo's mother tried hard not to cry before her kids as she spoke.

  Few days later, one of Bayo's aunt from his Father’s side paid the family a visit. It was awesome seeing someone from their father's side check on them.

  “Ah, oko mi, you can take him with you.” Bayo's mum said genuflecting and thanking Mrs Jerry, one of her late husband’s sisters.

  “You do not know what this means to me. That someone still cares makes my heart merry.” Bayo's Mum continued.

  “I cannot afford to be like others. I know what my brother did for me. It is really sad he had to die too soon." Mrs Jerry dried her eyes trying to prevent the tears.

  Plans were made and Bayo followed his Aunt to the city.

  “You will not regret this oko mi.” Bayo's Mum prayed as she bade her in-law and her now 3year old son farewell.

"Life in the city is quite different from that of the town.” Mrs Jerry told Bayo at their arrival in the city.

  “You just have to be careful and watch how you behave here.” Mrs Jerry continued.

  Bayo was carried away with the buildings and difference he saw in the city. He could not help but admire his new environment.

  “Do not worry, you will get to know more.” Mrs Jerry said as she flagged down a taxi to her residence.

  “You are welcome to our abode." Mr Jerry welcomed Bayo and his wife.

  “I have been waiting, calculating the time of your arrival for some hours now.” Mr Jerry said as he helped his wife with the luggage into the house.

  Bayo's home back in the town is one of the best, but nothing compared to the Jerrys’ mansion.

"Sit here and relax a bit. Your Aunty will soon be here to take you to your room.” Mr Jerry said as he offered Bayo a fruit juice.

"Daddy, where is our meal?" Mrs Jerry slumped into the chair with an aura of fatigue.

"I'm famished." She said, staring at Bayo at his end of the living room with his fruit juice in his hand.

  Bayo quickly took his new environment in. It was fun for him as he could get water easily at the turn of the tap any minute of the day.

  “We do not have to go to the backyard for water.” Bayo told Mr Jerry as he observed how he washed the plates.

  6months through Bayo's stay with his Aunt, he had been enrolled in a government primary school in the city.

  “But you should have made provision for a better school than that. We can afford it.” Mr Jerry cautioned on the day his wife obtained the form.

  “He is my relative and not yours. Any decision I make is final and acceptable. Ah!" Mrs Jerry made her husband feel bitter at those words.

"It is alright if that is what you want, but I want you to know that I love him too.” Mr Jerry turned abruptly as he covered himself with his blanket.

Mr and Mrs Jerry never agreed on issues pertaining to Bayo. Mrs Jerry always had the final say and nothing could change that. It was not much of a surprise when Mr Jerry noticed Bayo's malnourished look.

  “What hurts me most is that, people will ask how this came to be under my roof.” Mr Jerry shook his head as he observed little Bayo struggling with a bucket of water that was quite bigger than him.

  Bayo kept growing, but each stage spelt more pain for him as he suffered starvation and maltreatment from his Aunt.

  “Her husband is not even an option" 7year old Bayo narrated to his only friend Dave.

"She must not even know that I have a friend and sadly, some teachers are watching my every move and they report to my aunt.” Bayo explained to Dave has they both walked the busy road home.

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SHATTERED Episode 1

SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 1

      “How will I cope!"
a loud squeal from Bayo's Mum sent shivers down the mourners’ spine.

  It was a bright day like every other. The sun was up shining with all its radiance like it does, giving a ray that signifies mid-day and this ray was not eluded from little Bayo's compound as it lit the compound, making the small crowd that kept increasing visible. Some were crying, others were cursing; it was of course not going to be a memorable day for Bayo's family, but two year old Bayo did not understand what was going on.

  Bayo stared at his Mum with a child-like sorry. He wondered what could have hurt his mother so much for her to cry so bitterly not wanting to be consoled.

    “Please bring him back to me! We never planned it this way!" Bayo's mother wailed hitting her palms on the marbled floor in the living room.

    “It is alright, Iya Bayo. Don't hurt yourself. Look at your four kids trusting you to be a shoulder to cry on." A neighbour to the family consoled as she held Bayo's mother down, preventing her from possibly hurting herself.

    “Ah! Ajibola Johnson left me just like that. Life is not fair" Bayo's mother grinned as she spoke.

   “The kids should not be in an environment like this. It is not healthy for them.” Mrs Riley, a colleague of Bayo's late dad whispered to a neighbour.

  Bayo and his other two siblings followed Mrs Riley home.

"It is going to be okay." Mrs Riley kept consoling the sniffing siblings in the car.

It was a quiet drive home and Bayo was unusually calm that day. Tayo, his only brother held Bayo tight to himself as they alighted into Mrs Riley compound.

  “Make yourself comfortable.” Mrs Riley welcomed the kids into her home warmly, but the siblings were not having any of it.

  “I want daddy back.” 17year old Titi, the eldest child cried out.

  Mrs Riley consoled the kids. Her own kids were off in their hostels because her job made it almost impossible to oversee her children affairs, so she enrolled all her kids in a boarding school.

  Four days into the painful loss of Mr Johnson, the burial date was fixed.

  “He had a head injury and further delay will make his body decompose. They cannot preserve him for long.” Mr Johnson’s younger brother addressed the family and it caused another session of tears for Bayo's Mother.

  The kids were brought home early on the burial day from Mrs Riley's home.

  “You need to be strong for your mother and your other two siblings" Mrs Riley advised Tayo and Titi as they drove into the compound.

  “Remember you are the eldest" Mrs Riley turned to Titi who gave an abrupt nod.

"Poor boy, he does not even understand what happened.” Titi smiled as Bayo refused to alight from the car.

  It was obvious he enjoyed his stay with Mrs Riley, but he had to be by the graveside no matter how young he was. They quickly devised a means to lure him out of the car and it made the crew burst out laughing.

  “Kids will always be kids.” Tayo shook his head as they approached the compound sighting the dugged grave beside the house.

  “And when Bayo understand these things, I can not imagine how he will feel." Tayo tried to man up as he watched tears well up in his two sisters eyes.

"Titi, pull yourself together for the sake of Funmi your younger sister." Tayo frowned, holding Bayo's hand into the house.

  It was the early hours of the day and only few people were in the house with Bayo's Mother.

  “Welcome my kids." Bayo's mother embraced each child, holding more tightly to Bayo.

  The burial came up many hours later and it was a sad sight to behold. Tears and wails were heard from a long distance as Mr Ajibola Johnson corpse was being lowered into the grave.

  Words failed the minister in charge at a point and he had to leave abruptly.

  If there was one man who was selfless and caring in the community, it was Bayo's father and now their unique personality was being lowered into the grave, never to be seen again.

  “I want to follow him.” Bayo's mother screamed and jumped into the grave.

  The Undertakers quickly brought her out and she was carried into the house and locked in till evening when the grave was firmly filled up and leveled with sand.

It was such a sad day at the Johnson residence that faithful day.

Watch out for what next
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Facebook Fiancé Episode 4 (Finale)

Facebook Fiance by O'nezer
Episode 4 (Finale)

That Friday night, they slept in separate room. It was more like a dream to Nike
"I thought Becky said he might try to take advantage of me. Silly girl! She almost scared me"

The aroma of toasted bread woke Nike up. She smiled as she rubbed off the left over sleep from her eyes
"This is so nice of you. Who made it?" Nike asked as she turned to take the tray of bread and tea from Paul.

"I made it dear" Paul smiled helping Nike sit up properly in bed
"I'm used to the bachelorhood but I think it's time to climb up the ladder. What do you think?" Paul winked Nike and they both laughed as Nike munched on her breakfast in bed.

Nike was treated like a queen. She couldn't wait to tell Becky how sweet and caring Paul is to her. Nike was so elated like a teenager in love. But it wasn't much of a surprise, this was her first time truly loving a guy.

Paul took Nike out to visit his friends. They drove from one place to the other and Nike particularly loved the ride. She loves classical music and that seems to be Paul's taste too as he always had a classic music or the other on play through out the ride.

The duo went shopping and everything Nike pointed to was bought and payed for by Paul.
"Why not try this on? It will look good on you." Paul picked a mini gown and passed it on to Nike.

The gown was just perfect on Nike. It complimented her physique like it was intentionally made for her.

Later that night they went to the cinema. Nike loved the way Paul stroked her hair when she rested her head on his shoulder.

They got back home around 9pm. They both sat back discussing about their outing. "I wish I'll be here forever" Nike smiled on Paul's lap.

"It can last forever if you permit me to" Paul lowered his head and pecked Nike on her nose.

"There is something amazing about this guy" Nike thought within
"I just can't place my hand on it but he is so cute and amazing" Nike smiled.

So after eating that night they decided to use the same room. From pillow fights to soft kiss, they both laughed out loud on Paul's bed, but all through, Paul never made an attempt to have sex with her. This amazed Nike the more and she couldn't get her mind off Paul.

"I wish I can extend my stay" Nike thought as she stretched out of bed the next morning. She looked around but Paul was nowhere to be found.

"Maybe he's in the bathroom" Nike moved towards the bathroom but Paul's hush tone made her pause
"I didn't do anything with her" Nike had Paul arguing on phone.
"She doesn't suspect anything. I have all you asked me to get for the rituals ready" Nike wanted to scream but she felt choked by Paul's words.

"She is still sleeping." Paul continued
"I'll know how to place it on her without her knowing."
At this instance, Nike quickly turned to leave. She examined the night robe on her and considered the risk of waiting a minute more to change. She quickly grabbed her box and Paul's wallet, opening the door as swiftly as possible, Nike made her way to the living room.

Without much ado she ran out of the house bare footed. The gateman tried to stop her but she pushed him away and flagged down a taxi, luckily for Nike a taxi was passing by and stopped to pick her. At that moment Paul was already running out of the house.
"Why did you open the gate you foolish man" Paul raged in furry.

Nike couldn't hold back her tears in the taxi. She tried to narrate her plight but she was overwhelmed with emotions and she couldn't speak.

"This is the story of someone you know too well" aged Nike now Nike Ikoko smiled at her last daughter who is now so engrossed with social media.

"Social media platforms is really great and of more value, but you have to watch it and not believe everything you see or read." Nike's daughter Jenny walked up to her mum

"I'll be more careful and watch out how I relate and what I believe online" Jenny winked her mum and they both smiled bringing up another mother-daughter discussion.

THE END

Thanks for reading so far, kindly drop your comment and lesson learnt from the story.

Facebook Fiancé Episode 3

Facebook Fiance by O'nezer
Episode 3

Nike's online love life made a difference in her attitude. She became more accommodating with guys than she was before.
Some of Nike's friend who abandoned her because of her attitude towards guys came back to her again

"We will love to know the secret of this sudden change" Nike's friends ask.

"I never believed in love until I met Paul and he proved to be different" Nike's face shone with excitement.

Back at home Nike's parent were also surprised about their daughter sudden behavioral change
"Maybe she is finally getting over staying in her room all through" Mr Johnson expressed his joy to his wife.

"What if it is something else?" Mrs Johnson smiled

"Whatever it is, we will soon get to know" they both laughed as they walked to the car heading for an occasion in town.

Paul and Nike planned to meet a month later
"I am no longer satisfied with such love that I can't even see his face" Nike had told Paul on phone.

"Only if you can give me a little more time, I'll come for you myself" but Nike was curious to meet Paul in person already

"Leave the stress to me, I can handle it" Nike assured Paul and they both agreed to meet the following weekend.

"I'll like to go with you" Becky had requested, but Nike turned down her offer
"I will be there for two beautiful days. How will I feel comfortable with you around?" Nike asked with a raised eyebrow.

"As you please. But I just want you to be sure it's safe first" Becky continued

"But why are you so skeptical about this visit Becky?" Nike was burning with furry already.

"You know what's important? Paul loves me and I love him too. I can feel it"

Becky didn't push further. "What is the essence of pushing a cart that is already moving?" Becky kept her thoughts to herself.

Nike picked her best outfits, best and corporate shoes and she even took more clothes that would last for almost a week away
"Where are you going with all these?" Nike's younger brother asked.

"Just shut up and watch me." Nike gave a naughty smile.

It was time to make her trip known to her parents but she wasn't sure how they would react
"I'm going for an official trip" the words fell off Nike's lips like a hot pot will fall off a little child's hand.

"Oh... First of its kind. I'm happy for you" Nike's dad said.

"For how long will you be away?" the calm feminine voice of Nike's mum came through from the passage.

"Just two days ma" Nike's heart beat faster as she replied her mum.

"Why was I so scared? I guess it was due to the lies" Nike argued within as her parents prayed her a safe trip.

"This is silly. I should have just told them the truth, I'm of age already. But going to visit a fiance I only know on phone, they will think it's absurd." Nike said the final "Amen" as she made for the door almost trembling.

Nike's trip to Paul's place lasted for about seven hours. The euphoria of meeting her new love didn't make her feel the stress of the bad roads.

Nike took her time to observe every turn. She kept her gaze mainly on what was going on without the car and she gave little attention to what was going on within the car.

The car came to a halt in the town major bus stop. Paul was already waiting for Nike. He brought a friend a long and with them was some refreshments.

Nike alighted from the car and picked her luggage amidst the rest. She looked around to take her new environment in "this place smells different" she said.

Nike pulled her suitcase behind her, but she hadn't walked for long when she felt someone holding her luggage. She wanted to scream, but upon turning she saw her Paul
"Oh my God!" Nike exclaimed
"I can't believe I've finally met you" Nike and Paul embraced themselves like two old friends.

It was a beautiful moment for Nike. Paul led the way to his car after introducing his friend Richard to Nike. They exchanged pleasantries and Richard complimented Nike's beauty.

The trip from the bus stop to Paul's home was a twenty minutes drive. Paul's house was exquisite and Nike couldn't help but admire the whole arena. From the tiled floor outside to the interior of the building Nike was lost for words.

"You are welcome to my humble abode" Paul led the way opening the door for Nike and Richard to come in.

"This place is beautiful" Nike said
"Our house is big and pretty, but this is much more bigger" she felt like screaming.

"Do you live here alone?" Nike asked after a brief walk around the house.

"Yes. I live here all alone except when friends come over.

"It's a lovely place" Nike said

"Now you understand why I need someone to in my life?" Nike felt shy and was unable to answer Paul's question.

That night, Paul made Nike sleep in the guest room
"Feel free here and you can always call me for anything you need" they both smiled as they wished each other a lovely night.

"Love is truly a beautiful thing when you are with the right one" Nike messaged Becky to fill her in with her experience.

To be continued...

Facebook Fiancé Episode 2

Facebook Fiance by O'nezer
Episode 2

Nike has the best of social media life. Coming home to flick through her phone brought her much solace. But it was a great surprise to see Nike relating so well with guys on social media.

She had crush and easily made friends with guys than she does with girls on the media.

With time Nike fell in love with Paul. Paul profile reads that he is a gentle man working as a Managing Director in Shell. Like every other thoughts about social media profile, Nike had her doubts but becoming more intimate with Paul, Nike's doubts were cleared and she gave Paul the benefits of doubt.

From "Hi" friends to "how was your day" and the likes, a love bug bite Nike and she was so into Paul even without meeting or knowing him one-on-one.

"I love this guy even without meeting him. He rocks my world" Nike poured her heart to Becky, one of her best friend who still tries to see if she can help Nike change her notion about guys.

"I don't believe you" Becky stared at Nike
"Firstly, that you Nike can fall in love and even with a guy?" Becky gave a surprise face.
"But why someone you have never seen before?"

"Don't bring that up. I love him and he loves me too" Nike retorted.

"I know you love him, but how certain are you that he feels the same way too and besides..."

"Why are you so pessimistic? I thought you would be reasonable that's why I'm sharing this with you, but you just spoiled my mood" Nike cut in walking away hurriedly like a little child would do.

"I'm sorry but I just want you to think about it carefully" Becky squealed behind Nike like to make her message sink in but Nike already at the door slammed the door behind to Becky's face.
"That is a rude thing to do girlfriend. But I've promised to stand by you, so I wouldn't... Well, I forgive you for that but I know you will still need me" Becky was waiting for Nike to open the door, but she soon realized Nike won't be opening up and she might just be there like a watchman for a very long time, Becky walked away feeling sad about Nike's new found love than happy
"I hope she knows what she is up against"

Nike's smile glowed beautifully like that of a happy little baby in the office everyday. She took pictures more often and she became more tolerable with everyone.

"Is this the same Nike that we have always known? A colleague whispered to the other
"I think her demon has finally left her to be the happy go fellow but let's keep a watch on what she's up to" another male colleague replied.

Paul, Nike's new found love always tried to meet up with Nike's financial needs
"I'm financially stable" Nike once told Paul,  but Paul was unyielding, he always wanted to send her even if it is a token.

To be continued...

Facebook Fiancé Episode 1

Facebook Fiance by O'nezer
Episode 1

"I'm not getting old, stop mounting pressure on me, at least I'm not complaining." Nike smirked at her friends in the house as she walked away agitated.
Nike's friend were all head over heels about her nasty attitude towards men even at 27.

Nike Johnson, a graduate of OAU. The second daughter amidst 5kids of  Mr and Mrs Johnson always had a bias feeling towards marriage.

She had been picky since her Secondary School days and her friends had feared that Nike might be a Lesbian, but she didn't show any form of interest in girls either. It was strange to think a girl with such a body build like Nike's would not have a partner she could call her own. 5ft. 8, curvy body and a flowing black hair, with a ever smiling face, Nike is a beauty to behold.

"That guy is different from all the other guys in school" one of her friends encouraged but Nike was adamant and refused to even talk to the guy. Nike kept acting in this manner towards every guy even up to her tertiary level.

Her longest relationship lasted just eight months and it was no surprise that she was forced into it
"I don't know why they want me to be with this guy" Nike had concluded before calling it quit with the guy.

Nike wasn't a nerd, neither a bookworm, but she was naturally intuitive which gave her a fair good grade than that of her mates and close friends.

With time Nike got employed and started working as a Public Relation Officer in a big company in town. Sophisticated, pretty and trendy Nike fits in perfectly to the corporate world in her office. She wasn't a fashion freak but what she wore always complimented her physique. With all the best looking guys in office well suit up and corporate,  but her relationship with them was not more than  "just a Colleague."

Josh, one of her colleagues who had always admired her from her first day in office tried to make a move towards Nike. She always feigned like she didn't understand him but Josh persisted.

Josh made his intentions known some weeks later but received a distressing embarrassment as his response. It was disheartening to see a girl talk down a guy in that manner and everyone ignored Nike for a while but like a care free bird, she didn't give a hoot about their reaction.

Back at home Nike's parent was oblivious of their daughter way of life. She is always indoors and they never felt this could mean their daughter was trying to avoid guys. To them, Nike was still quite young and they felt it wasn't time to ask her about her fiance.

Nike's was always in her room after office. She only stepped out to help in the kitchen once in a while. Her youngest brother would have been her ally at home, but she often ignored him and easily got tired of his company. It is no big surprise as her nonchalant attitude towards men are now being played even in her brothers life.

Staying indoors, Nike and her smart phone were best of pals. From Facebook to Instagram and BBM, Nike had a swell time on social media.

To be continued...