Boomerang Episode Seven

Title: Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 7

As new Students, there was always that distinction that told us off that we were new, we knew nothing and with our naivety we bragged about and did things 'extraordinarily' we were all in a world of our own.

We were not comfortable with John sudden absence.
"Did he change his mind about school"

"Or maybe his aunt found him and took custody of him"

"I still saw him three days before coming to resume. His phone is faulty, but he told me he would be resuming the next day" Segun, the closest among us to John explained and that was the umpteen time he would.

"or he had an accident?" different ideas filled the room which had now become everyone's central room.

All five had lodged in my room on their first day before they found an accommodation. I now seem to be the leader, but the only thing I was good at was organizing a smoking spree or a night out for drinks.

We were on a high level of spending money and we knew if we continue like this without a replacement, we would soon go broke within our first semester. Some had their money on girls, but mine was on alcoholic drinks and cigarettes. I never really got attracted to a girl, so I thought or let's say, I didn't take my time to assess a girl the way others did.

That was soon a past tense as I met Karen, a definition of tall, well-groomed and black beauty model. She held me spellbound with her appearance as I sighted her walk past my faculty administration hall along with some female friends, who I knew well in my department.

Like a magnetic force, I found myself standing abruptly from the corridor where I had leaned on. I hurried to meet up with the girls, but they were way faster and ahead of me. I kept my cool,
"I know what to do" I encouraged myself as I walked back to where I was before.

Agnes, a very fair lady with a long face that shone through her deep, dark long hair, who was one of the girls I saw with Keren said she would help me, so I planned to have a talk with her the following day.

"Yes, Karen I guess. She was wearing a purple blouse on a flowery skit when you saw her?" Agnes quizzed to be sure who I was asking after and I nodded affirmative.

"She is in the faculty of law and you know how busy they can sometimes be" Agnes gave me a naughty look that says 'I know it all' but I cared less.

"Help me out to meet with her" I adjusted feigning ignorance of her funny smiles as she stood balanced before her desk.

"If you want to meet her, go through the stress. She’s worth it" Agnes pulled away from before me to join her friends who were waiting at the door.

That was enough help, I brushed my hand through my hair and my mind planned out how to meet Keren

"Such a beautiful name" I gave a wry smile as I stepped out of the hall.

It was a Friday and I imagine how I'll get in touch with Karen at her department since it was a weekend.

"She most likely will be in her hostel or off campus" I tried to rationalize where to find Keren before the week was over.

"And how department is quite far from the other. Social Science to Law, she won't come around again and most likely Agnes would have told..."
"Guy! You are here?" Segun bagged into the room cutting in with my thoughts.

"Don't tell me you are not yet ready?" he continued with Samuel and some other guy coming in behind him.

"Ready for what?" I rubbed my face with my hands as I sat up in bed finally out of my thoughts.

"See this guy o!" Segun motioned to the rest and now all my friends were in the room.

"Oh ooo!!!..." I screamed.

"you just came in here and started saying something without explanation" I sat up well, now leaning my back against the wall.

"Oh, poor guy had been sleeping" Samuel smiled as he paved way to sit close to me.

"We discussed last week that since John our leader is nowhere to be found, we will find an alternative and you as our leader will take care of the task from where Segun stopped."

"Okay, that?" I rubbed my hand against each other as the reality of the moment dawned on me.

"Remember we will be heading for the place Segun suggested and we concluded we would be there this evening?" Segun explained as he brought out a match stick with a lighter.

"I remember now. Give me some minutes and by 8:00pm, we would take our leave" I explained looking into the wall clock that now clicked 7:05pm.

"Are you sure of what you're doing?" I asked Segun as we approached the house we were to visit that night.

"I'm very sure of this. Trust me guys" Segun walked closer to the house door bell and pressed the button.

"I choose to trust you" I gave one long drag from the cigarette with me before throwing it under my sandals and putting the light off, I stared at the other five behind me and looked at Segun who was standing before the door.

"Good evening" a lady with an air of her mid-twenties greeted with a confused look.

What next?
Watch out for the next episode
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

Boomerang Episode Six

Title: Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 6

John was the brave one among us. Out spoken, broad chested, well-trimmed beard that gave his age away and a hoarse voice that made him sound mature than us all. John has an idea of almost anything and he was always five steps ahead of us with any information; even information that were related to our education.

John was a boy adopted by his aunt at an early age. John's aunt, a mother of two kids who were way older than John lived in the ghetto area of the town, but even with the rough life that greeted everyone with the lout life, John's aunt still thought it wise to maltreat John.

He had started smoking cigarettes way back before I even made it to the Government Secondary School and he knew every nook and cranny of the town because any safe abode was his sleeping mat since he ran away from his aunt place. We were never sure his aunt searched for him, all we knew was that, John was the smartest among us and he was always after getting more money. Unknown to us, he had been living alone for four years and had responsibilities to shoulder all by himself.

We had a special regard for him and he was such a breath-taking leader all through our operations which if numbered should be a ten in just a year. We were all awaiting admission and those who were living with their parents had Samuel's house as an excuse to go read, but some nights, we were outside the town entirely.

Our school leaving certificate was out and yes, despite our perverseness, we were all sound academically. We had good grades and our options of choice of University were the same, only different courses. Luckily enough, our names made it to the admission list and we had to hibernate for a long while because there were no lies of exams to read for anymore.

We all resumed into School on different days. I guess our parents, though they knew us all, but they were less interested in us resuming on the same day.

I knew my way around the school to a fault, but daddy who happened to be my Chauffeur for that day wasn't having any of my options.

"Daddy, you know I came here for my post UTME already now" I tried to caution at a point when I felt frustrated.

"Don't worry," Daddy said
"I am still older than you and I once resumed a tertiary institution like you before" daddy continued as he showed me how to comport myself with obvious description and there were many students passing by.

"You see my son" now I wanted daddy to shut up and get going.

"I'm your father and this was how I helped your sister and your brother when they resumed too. You and Tobi won't be an exception as far as I am alive" at those words, I had to accept my fate as I watched daddy running around and helping me with what I should have done on my own.

Even down to my accommodation, my dad sought it out and the moment when he said 'goodbye', I became so emotional and our parting hug at the entrance to my room lasted for more than five minutes.

"Finally!" I heaved a deep sigh as I collapsed into the family size bed daddy had gotten for me.

The next morning woke me up to the reality of my new life. I had always had someone cook for me and even my days at Holy Child Secondary School, I woke up to a meal. Now I must set the stove and make a meal or better still, go out there and get some food, but I still felt stressed out and I resorted to the former.

Flipping out my mobile phone, new and still unique to me as I consumed my meal, I put a call through to Samuel to ask when he would be resuming, and I felt relieved I won't be starting from the next day alone.

I stared at the phone in my hands, I started to remember all the advice daddy and mommy had given me before handing the Android phone to me.

"Don't use it for anything that would bring shame on you" mommy warned her motherly caution.

"You are a child of God and you shouldn't use this to get involved in anything negative" daddy completed.

My friends had been using an Android phone and all there was to me was a small phone that could only make calls and send messages. I was too used to this device than their seeming caution. I smiled as I recall all that had happened, and I flipped the phone to the bed to empty my bag.

Daddy had paid some fees and he gave me the balance of others he couldn't do. Money was already transferred to my account and everything was in place, but here with me is a sum of seven hundred thousand.

"It's a working day, so Bode, freshen up and let's head to the bank" I danced as I picked my towel heading to the bathroom.

It was a room self-contain my dad got for me, and bathroom and kitchen were going to be all alone to myself. Each room of the long building had its own facilities.

I made for the bank and I could see the staff attending to me staring into my eyes like I was a criminal or something I wasn't sure of.

"Where did you get this money?" she asked in her serene voice that complimented her look.

"I got it from home because I need it in school" my brow furrowed.

She did the needful and I was at least at peace that I didn't have to keep that much with me again and most especially, my parents never knew anything about it. All thanks to Samuel.

The next evening welcomed three other friends including Samuel to school and for them, their parents dropped them off without spending much time with them and one of the three came in a commercial bus.

We were eagerly waiting for John, whose number was and had been out of reach.

What next?
Watch out for the next episodes
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

Boomerang Episode Five

Title: Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 5

"What if we do something more than this petite business?" John, a mate of mine from the State school whom we had gone out together with other clique, said as he slipped his right hand into his back pack that was now crossed to his chest.

We had been together for our outings at the market from the beginning and we had now formed a trusted clique with those who cared to be one of us.

"What do we have there?" I innocently moved closer to have a view of what made others smile at the sight.

"I'm sorry," I exclaimed

"I cannot be a part of this…" my words met a surprise on the seven other faces that wore a smile some second ago.

"Wetin dey do this one naw?" John hit my shoulder from where he was standing.

I was already up and ready to move away from the broken-down fence we all sat on.

"Where do you think you're going to?" John pulled back my hand and it would have been a great fall except for the leg of Jason who helped me out.

"I don't have the grace to partner with you in this" I tried to say each word one after the other just to make the words sink into them in case I'm being quoted wrong, but they were unyielding.
***
Our first operation as an official thief or let us say armed men was an operation well planned out. I never had to overwork my brain that much even during exams. Every minute left me wondering how I would handle the role given to me without having it flopped.

"What if we get caught?" I asked aloud as I made my way home that evening.
"Daddy will skin me alive" I smiled knowing what will become of me if this fails.

Why we need to rob a house was not much of a wonder. You know, we must live our lives to the fullest. When we get to our tertiary institution, our parents will not be able to punish us, even if they do, we are secured.

The night came for us to visit Mr Oladele, an average looking man who two weeks earlier had been selected as the new local government party chairman of the party he belongs to. We knew he must have been given quite a sum of money and we had started out our plans since then. It was about 12o'clock into the night when we got there. It was a rural area and though they had a security post at the gate entrance, we had no issues as the Security Officer were nowhere to be found.

"You two…" John explained.

"You will be at the gate and in case of any emergency, just whistle and I'll be out" John pointed to myself and Dele, one of us who was just as petite and of a scary look as me.

The house of Mr. Oladele, our victim was a wired fenced 5-bedroom flat, with a large compound. That was all I noticed from the security light streams to illuminate a good percentage of the compound.

The gate of the house was quite broken down and all we had to do was push gently and we were in. Like a flash, John handed each one of us a butcher axe and he himself pulled out a gun from his bag. No one of the seven could ask him where he got the gun from since the day he showed us and none dared to ask, I assume.
Dele and I hid behind the gate as we looked around for signs of anyone approaching with our hearts in our mouths.

John and the other four came out rushing with smiles and a mini traveling bag reveled by the security light beaming at them as they hurried out of the house and we knew better to hurry along behind them.

My mind was a bit at peace, but not until we got to Samuel, the house of one of us whose parents seems to live a nomadic existence and always leaving their only son and child Samuel behind.

I had told my dad I was going there to read, and he had no dispute as our Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was fast approaching and Samuel had proven to be a well-trained boy to my dad whenever they met at my house for the obvious, reading.

The money was counted, and it was a million naira to my surprise since I had not seen such a huge sum before.

"That is how they will be hoarding our money!" John exclaimed.

"This man said he was only given 5hundred thousand naira two weeks ago at the election o!" John continued as he cursed Mr Oladele and his supporters.

We all were not sure of what he was saying, but we were sure excited with the money before us in Samuel's living room.

The money was calculated and divided equally between us before we went into different rooms of the house to pass the night and if we so wish, we read.

What next?
Watch out for the next episode
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

Boomerang Episode Four

Title: Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 4
My first day at State Government Secondary School sent chills down my spine.
"Is this a school or what?" that was the first thought that crosses my mind as I stepped out of daddy's car.

Daddy had brought me my school uniform and some notebooks the Friday before. That Monday morning meant so much to me as I would have people to relate with. From the form I filled, I know it wasn't a boarding school.

"Daddy, is this the school?" I asked as I walked closely beside my dad towards the Principal office.

The School was a large compound school with about 35classroom estimate. It had a wide field and a pitch for volleyball. The School walls looked old as the paint was gradually fading away. It looks like a structure that had been up for let's say 20years...

"Write your name and signature here" the Principal, a lanky young man with the air of thirties beckoned to me and that brought me out of my observation and I gently searched through my back pack for my pen as I bent over the file filled table of his to write as instructed.

Sadly enough, I had to start all over again from Jss1 and this fueled up my anger.

I was pissed off by the silent treatment at home and only the consolation of Tobi my younger brother defiling all odds, else I would have gone nuts, but I decided to go nuts now. That was what they wanted.

I now had to walk 30minutes walk home every day. My brothers were in private schools, Primary 6 and Ss3 respectively. And the school bus conveyed them home every day.

Daddy was now less mean, and Mummy was her caring self, but it all felt strange.
"Why are they doing this now?" I questioned myself.

I got aligned to the School system during the second term. I had friends and I had those I disliked. It was a wonderful time as we could sneak out of the school compound which had no reasonable fence and no security guard. We went into town with our uniforms in our back pack while we help market women with their luggage and earned some money from it. For me, it was an extra pay to my lunch money from home.

I really didn't have any problem coming up with good grades. I was naturally brilliant, and I was not repeating same class. Daddy seem proud of me and Mummy was happy with the grades and how gentle and composed I was at home. Sometimes I even woke the family up for devotion, I always looked forward to going to school every day and weekends were sad moment for me.

It's been 3years and I knew my parents would have it in plan to return me to a good school, but oh no, I wasn't ready for that and I feared the new transferred Principal who seem strict than strict itself, but we wouldn't let him deter us and we used the lunch break period for our rendezvous plan.

Unfortunately, we were caught one day when we were haggling the price of a conveyed luggage with a Teacher and this was unknown to us until we got to school the next day to meet our suspension letter.

"How do I present this at home?" my thoughts as I walked home from school half way through School hours.

Daddy was disappointed as expected and Mummy wasn't left aside.
'Why I choose to be the black sheep of the family was unknown to anyone and it was not known to me myself'

I completed my Junior Secondary School in the Government school, but the holiday was spree of deliverance sessions and many fasting and prayers before I resumed into Tobi's School. Tobi was now in Jss3 and I was resuming into Ss1. My elder brother was in a tertiary institution and big sister was working with a pension funds firm.

This new school opened me more opportunities of going out of school immediately after school and I initiated other Students from the school to this. I met with my former classmates and we continued from there.

Mid-way into Ss2, I already learned to smoke, and I had a girlfriend too. Tobi would have told on me, but I bought his words with enough money at intervals.

I graduated against all odds so to speak and my parents were proud of me.
"God bless the day I had Bode!" Mummy held her stomach as she rained praises on me as daddy drove us home making boast of how I took after his intelligence.

"Tobi," Daddy called out.

"You see how much gifts your brother got today?"
Tobi nodded the affirmative.

"I want you to imitate that and possibly do more and better" Daddy encouraged Tobi who I silently prayed won't imitate me.

I now had the little freedom I always wanted and now I could step out of the house without much questions. I just had to name a reasonable place I was heading to and mom who was always at home would give me the go ahead.

It started with myself and my clique from secondary school stealing goods from shops and picking pockets. We were smart and being caught was the last thing that will come true.

What next?
Watch out for the next episode.
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

Boomerang Episode Three

Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 3

"I welcome you all to this emergency meeting" the Principal, Mr Stephen addressed us parents and students as we were all made to sit in the college hall.

"I'm sorry for summoning you here for this emergency meeting, but it is for our good"… the Principal continued.

I stared on with my heart racing as I could now see my father from where I was seated.
"It should have been mom" I thought as I prayed we weren't called for what I supposed.

"Each one of you here was called in because we cannot send your kids to come home on their own and we cannot contain them in this school anymore"…. these words caused uproar in the hall and each parent was curious to know what went wrong with their ward.

"Your ward was caught with harmful substance ranging from codeine, tramax, cigarettes, marijuana and dry gun and all these are too deadly for their health and they are way too young to be involved in such" this sent more uproar into the air and as a person I craved so much to pee at that moment, but my dad would see me and I was still a bit at peace that he hasn't located where I was.

"Some of them hardly stay in class or in their hostel. They are bringing a bad reputation for Holy Child Secondary School and you know all we do here is to instill morals and values. They have all been expelled and a letter will be passed around to you all" the Principal signaled, and a staff stepped forward with a pack of letters in hand.

"Please, kindly step forward for your letter and follow your child to his or her dormitory to pack their bag. Their stay here has been exhausted" the Principal completed and signaled the staff to call out each name addressed at the back of each envelope.

It was a terrible moment trying to stand up from my seat to meet my dad as I heard his name.
"How will I explain this to daddy?" that was my only thought at that moment.

Every Student that was a culprit were all in the hall. Maybe they had return from their outing or whatever they were off too and noise of parents beating their child, children swearing they were innocent and some pleading with the Principal filled the air outside the hall.

I had stood a distance from my dad as he walked up to collect the letter disappointedly. I knew better to walk behind him and I took each step like the next should bade earth farewell for me.
"If you don't hurry up to bring your bag here now, I promise I'll leave you here and you will walk home" like a speed of light, I found my way to the hostel and watched as everyone including Samson looked on at me with an air of regret.

I didn't know what they were thinking of me and I couldn't wait to confirm, but it sure wasn't positive and I paused as Samson called out my name and walked up to hug me.
"I'll miss you" I whispered.

"I find it hard to believe you could be involved in this" Samson whispered back and I withdrew from the embrace.

Daddy was sure waiting for me and I waved Samson briskly as I rushed to meet my dad who was standing hand akimbo were I had rushed off behind him.

The drive home was quiet. I didn't utter a word and daddy didn't say a thing. Sleep tried to play on my eyelids, but I was strong enough to fight it off.

It was getting dark when we pulled into our compound with Aremu, our gate man opening the large gate and greeting my dad in his usual accent which daddy was not ready to reply.

"Good evening ma" I greeted my mom prostrating as I met her at the door and she in like manner greeted my dad refusing to respond to my greeting.

I greeted again to be sure and this time, my eyes met with hers and it spoke of displeasure.

Walking into the living room, I saw my sister who I felt should be in school. She was already in a tertiary institution and she was the least I expected. My brothers were staring gracefully at the TV show they were watching. None of them seem to notice my presence, but dad's presence made the difference; they all greeted.

It had been a long day for me and I knew it would be a long night so I pulled my bag into my bedroom which was as intact as I had left it 5weeks ago at resumption. I collapsed into my unlaid bed and calculated the day experience, it was a bitter-sour and nothing sweet experience and it soon took me on a trip to dreamland.

"Bode!" a known voice startled me out of my sleep and I looked around,
"it was the time" I whispered as I brushed the remnant of sleep off my eyes.

"Do you know you are a disappointment to me, yourself and this family?" those words accompanied a slap which brushed off every sleep and my hands were permanently stuck to my left cheek as I stared on.

Every word of accusations and disappointment was fired at me like a gun from daddy's mouth that night. He called me a waste of investment and how miserable I was to the family.

"But daddy..." I stood up to defend myself when another slap sent me packing back to my former state. It was then I realized mummy was at the door all the while.

It was mid-term into Jss 2 and no school would admit me, so I had to wait home till the next school year that was months that seems like forever as I became an alien at home.

Daddy never talked to me and same with mummy. My greetings fell on their deaf ears and same with my siblings. I felt like a stranger and this made me choose my room as an escape route from all the drama. I was always missing at devotions and no one bothered to call me in. My meal was always left in the kitchen while the rest of the family savoured the dinning moments together.

I was just 11years old and I found it hard to understand such treatment. I know being expelled was a bad omen for the family, but common, they never bothered to hear me out.

***
"Get ready, you are resuming into school" daddy said as he walked into my room throwing a form to my bed.

A new school year had began and daddy had obviously gotten me a form into a school I didn't know anything about. It was such a relief to hear daddy speak to me after many months of silent treatment.

I picked up the form and filled in the necessary details. I picked up the form immediately and took it to daddy in the master’s bedroom.

"Do you think that is the best choice of school as it is now?" I had Mummy speak.

"It's just to discipline him a bit" I had daddy reply in a solemn tone.

"But don't you think this is too much for his age?" Mummy seem to be begging and I knew it wasn't right eavesdropping, but I wanted to know what they were up to.

"Woman!" daddy's voice had a new tone
"You don't tell me what to do to my kids!"

I walked back to my room with the form in my hand.
"What school is this and why is my mom opposing it?" I was curious to know and I kept thinking about it all night.

What next
Watch out for the next episode
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

Boomerang Episode Two

Title: Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 2

Holy Child Secondary School was all shades of difference! The school had been operating for ten years. The school Principal addressed the new students as they assembled in the school hall looking lost in a corner of the room.

It was a school with the standard of a University or let us say a College. Apart from the strictness, Students love the school. New students were required to make an oath to adhere to the rules and regulations of the school and that kept each student put, so I thought until I got to Jss 2.
***
I had a friend whose name was Samson. It was a Christian school and it was normal to expect every child to be a Christian.

Each morning was like what I faced at home; devotion, take your bath, clean up, eat and get set for class. That was what my first year in school was like and Daddy was excited to know that I was always ready for devotion whenever I'm home for holidays.

Samson was just like me, he was from a strict home with every action of the family been detailed. “Don't touch, don't play, don't and many don’ts” was what his family was all about. All the freedom he had was in school.
We got so close from our Jss1 second term and he was like my younger brother Tobi. Loyal and collected, my bunk mate became like a shadow to me and all because we became classmates.

No School, no matter how perfect it seems still has its itches. That was the case for Holy Child Secondary School. Each time the School bell, which is situated at the center of the school compound was rung by a senior Student who always seem to be the clock himself, there was a change of class or we were to head to the dining hall for our meal.

While we the junior ones trooped towards the dining hall to enjoy our scheduled meal of bread and a watery tea in the morning, pap and moi-moi in the afternoon, and eba and okra for dinner, some senior Students, both male and female seem to have their dining set apart as they never joined us at meal, but we were less bothered. Our stomachs were contended with what the dining hall fed us with.

Soon enough, I noticed Samson withdrawing from being my shadow that he has always been. He was missing at meal some other days and all I could imagine was that “Did we have a fight? No, we never fought”. I could not say for sure and I could not bear to ask him.

Now we were in Jss2, the cool-headed Samson had become so bold and a Lion would bow for his kind of boldness. Approaching a Teacher was not a big deal to him and all that matters were 'his way' and anything that tried to get against him must be rebelled against.

Between our last school vacation and the resumption, Samson’s growth was rapid, and he looked more matured than everyone in his class. Well, I thought I was still his friend due to our little conversation as classmates and bunk mates, but it was always casual as he was either in a hurry to attend to something I wish I know or he wanted to sleep.

I would not have been bothered much with cutting ties with him until when our hostel Patron came in alongside the Principal. They started their search from Senior Patrick and Efe's bunk. Each bed was a two-bunk side by side in the School dormitory.

"Everyone," the Patron screamed "step outside and don't go out with ANYTHING!" he completed stressing the last word and we all obliged and found our way to the dormitory door staring in at what they could be searching for.
Some packs of cigarettes and rolls of weed that seems to have had maybe one or two draws were found in Patrick's bag right beside the bunk. Further search brought out more substance from different Student bag and some, under their mattress. Interesting enough, most of the culprit were away for their usual unknown adventure.

"This Student has turned another leaf entirely" the Principal said in a perplexed tone as the search continued.

They soon got to my bunk, well our bunk as the case is and my heart skipped a beat for Samson. I knew he was into something shady, but I was never able to place what it could be.

Samson's bag was searched and emptied on his mattress like others, but there was nothing.
"Thank God for you!" I heaved silently and turned away. I knew my bags were free and I had nothing to worry about.

The names of the Students that were not in the dormitory was written down and we were all asked to go back inside and arrange our clothing with immediate effect.
"Some of you are returning to your parent’s house before you turn this place to a slum", the Principal cursed out loud.

They made for the girl's hostel and the Principal placed a call from his mobile cell phone to count heads and write the names of all the Students in the library or those in class.

We all went in arranging our clothes that was littered on the bed. We all said a thing or two in aloud as we condemned those who we saw substance being brought out of their bags
"Even dry gun!" One of us snapped.

"And some will even be forming gentle and innocent" another boy shook his head as he dragged his bag in place to arrange his clothes.

I knew I didn't have any offence, you know pure and holy personality and I joined in the discussion until about half an hour later.

"If you hear your name" the Patron, a stout man with the look of a man in his late forties blared from the dormitory door
"Step aside and don't even try to make any funny move" he continued standing by the door like he was aimed at stopping any and every entrance as he called out names.

"Joshua Olabode!" I felt a something like an eruption taking place in my belly.

I had been sitting on my bed, holding a book I was obviously not going to read since he stood there calling out names, but I was unperturbed as I knew I was free from such, but it seems everyone else was expecting to hear my name already as they gave a deep loud sigh that sent the hostel into a quiet mode.

"Is he also not in here?" Mr Patron as we fondly call him cried out, now more provoked as only three names from the names that read more about 25 had stepped out.

My limbs failed me as I stepped out from my bed searching aimlessly for the slippers that was right before my feet.

"That must be a wrong list" I silently encouraged.
"It might not even be what we think" I shook my head as I stepped beside the 3 Students who kept their cool beside the door as pointed out by the Patron.

"Or could this be why other Students gave a silent response to all my words against those who something was found in their possessions some hours ago" I couldn't process what was going on as I had turned away from looking at the outcome of my bag search.

We were all matched to the Principal office alongside some numbers of girls and to make it more worse, some parents were already waiting at the Principal door, while some were pulling in at the parking lot.
I really didn't know what to think, I just walked on.

What next?
Watch out for the next episode.
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

Boomerang Episode One

Title: Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 1

    My name is Bode Joshua, the third child of 4 siblings and the second son with a younger brother and a beautiful elder sister, who happens to be the first fruit; I mean the blessing that welcomed the rest of the children to the loving home of Mr Bayo Joshua who is my dad, ever fervent, prayer warrior, a Christian and disciplinarian.

     The mornings start as early as 5:00am everyday in our mansion of six rooms with my mom, the prettiest and composed mother anyone can ever pray to have. Mummy comes into our rooms individually to wake and possibly drag us from our different rooms to the living room for morning prayers which usually last more than the scheduled duration(1hour). Daddy always wants to dig deep, but only Shade our first born seems to be ever interested as the rest of us would sleep off and daddy's spank is the only thing that brings us back to reality.

"You people need Jesus and you need Him now when you’re young” daddy would say in his baritone voice and that constantly warned us that all is not well.

"Now is the time to get rooted and be effective!" daddy will always warn.

    But those warnings were only for Daddy as  the three boys only adhered in his presence to avoid his usual caution. Tobi, my younger brother, the youngest at home seems to be the diligent and obedient one. My elder brother's influence seems to have no impact on him, so we (myself and tolu) let him be and you know, bully him and call him names at times just to taunt him. Family is interesting.

    Having such a background made me feel held back. You know, I was like a tree blossoming, but once in a while, the branches are being chopped off, this kept me under check until I graduated into secondary school.

    My first day at the school was in the company of daddy and mommy in their Siena that drove swiftly across the street as we made our way to another town entirely.

"We would love you to enroll as a boarding student in your Jss 3" Mummy had told me while filling in the form I suddenly received as Daddy drove home from work earlier than normal one day during the holidays.

    I felt it was a good thing, so I felt less bothered if I'll be living far away in a school.
"I'll be free from the pressures at home" my silent thought.
"But I'll sure miss mom's delicacy" I had weighed the thought.

    But as it is, right in the car as Daddy drove across many streets with conversations between himself and Mummy giving life to the car, I was nervous and I wished they had asked me if I was okay to study in a full boarding secondary school for a while, but none of us could object daddy's decision no matter how grievous we feel it is.

"We are there!" daddy's voice echoed in the car bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Wow!" was all I could utter as I looked out the window to a beautiful, well structured Holy Kids Secondary School.

"I promise you", Daddy squat before me as he helped adjust the collar of my favorite outfit which had been my choice for the trip.

"I know you will feel bad leaving your siblings behind and having to start a new phase of your life alone and quite far from us but I want you to know that we are always praying for you and we want the best for you", dad adjusted himself as he now looked straight into my eyes.

"This is one of the best school in Nigeria and I made that decision because of the report I got and I trust them to be faithful to their words" daddy completed giving my petite 10year old body a deep hug and I didn't know when my eyes let down their fluids.

    Mom who had been watching the whole scene between myself and dad at the parking lot of the school joined in the hug and she gave her motherly advice too as we eventually pulled out my travel box from the trunk of the car and made for the school admin building to complete my registration.

    In two hours, I was done with registration and had my ID card and uniform with me and I was led to my hostel and watched as dad and mom took another turn back to the parking lot.

What next?
Watch out for the next episode.
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY SIS

Dear Baby Sis,

I am so glad to be part of your life and part of those celebrating you today. The memory we shared together is way too much that few paragraph here can't say it all. Going back to those days when you were in SS2/SS3. All our all night long calls and moment we can't wait for 12:30am to start our extra cool midnight calls.

Then to the journey to university till this week that you wrote the last paper as a finalist.

*someone from the audience shouting

Is that not Miriam 2 in Israel in Egypt.

Me: Please don't interrupt us biko

Ifeoluwa, you should by now know how much pride I have got having you as my sister and my music gist partner. Bring those boys matter and let's advise you, we can't afford to give her to anyhow anyhow person. You sha know that I love you plenty plenty.

As you are a year older today, may the good lord of heaven bless you and give you great testimonies. More grace to run the race, go from strength to strength. Keep shining for Christ and one day, he will count it as good for you.

I love you Deborah, enjoy your day.

Happy birthday baby sis

Yours brotherly
O'nezer.
17-07-2018

THE BEANS IN OUR RICE

A short poem as inspired by Shalom.

Let me take you back to one of these night
When all eyes are dimly tight
Expecting someone to stop the fight
That our tommy has roughly ignite

Everyone waiting for  small mummy
To come and make the food, ever yummy
As to quench our hungry tommy
That has been making noise, so angry.

Finally, she's back from the market
Carrying every ingredients in her big basket.
We all can't wait to have a look.
Or have a taste of what she wanna cook.

That night, if you perceive the food's aroma
I was forced to walk to the kitchen to say well-done ma
The aroma has been carried around by this evening breeze
That is making even our neighbors to sneeze.

Let me cut the long story short
I took first round and ended up carrying the pot
Even till now, I am still wondering why?
If it was Shalom or angel from above that cook the rice.

O'nezer
23-06-2018

LETTER FROM PAPA TO DAUGHTER

Hello Daughter.

I am sure you will be glad to see this letter, it's been a while I've wanted to write to you but too many unexplainable and unplanned things kept on crawling in... I hope you are doing just fine?

The purpose of my letter to you is to remind you of a day to remember, a day you also can't forget because you know that this day, years back, heaven sent us a precious gift. The angels are still looking for a replacement but couldn't get one since you are one of the heavens rep on earth, they all miss you and your Angelic voice. Indeed OluwaGreat

Furthermore, looking back at where the journey started from, I remembered the time you were crawling and how dad and mom couldn't stop looking at the amazing child. I remembered the first words you started with 'Jesus' and 'Amen'. The first day mama hear you call Dadda, she wasn't sure whether to be jealous or to be happy (maybe she expected you to say mama first). We are so glad and happy!

In addition, from the first school you attended to the very last one which is the university, it was not the money dad and mom have but the grace of never to lack and want was what took you thru. Tho it wasn't easy to raise a child who would embrace the gospel truth of her parent but we are so proud of you today that you took your stand and kept the banner high.

Lastly, as you celebrate today, I want to join the heavens to pray for you that;
Heaven will bless you now and always
God will keep and guide your ways
He will go before you both night and day
He will hear you even before you pray
May God grant you the needed grace
To keep running this life's race
Till you see him someday, face to face.

Happy Birthday Abiola Oluwatobiloba
Daughter Nezer. Dad, loves you super much.
Enjoy your day, God bless!!!

Yours Fatherly
Osunniran Ebenezer
23-06-2018
*insert signature😁