THE LEAP YEAR Ep 10

Episode 10.

"I had stayed long at Jibola's place as we played football after school's closing time and I asked my sister to go home that I will join her when I am done. Everytime I would want to leave, my friend will keep on persuading me that I should play just once more. One more set kept extending to many more and by the time I checked the time, it was already past 5pm"

"During examination periods like that, my school doesn't allow us close late. On normal teaching days, the school operates from 7:30am till 4:30pm but they allow us close as early as 2:30pm on exam periods and if it's Friday, it can sometimes be 12:30pm or 1:00pm. 

That afternoon, I already knew I've stayed past my time. I had to start running home so they don't begin to worry about my whereabouts"

Well, I know it's most likely my parents won't be home. But then I couldn't be too sure. Because dad can come in at any time. And dad must not get to know that I left my younger sister to come home alone while I stayed back only to come home much later.

I'll have to explain the reason why. And I don't have any reasonable lie to tell. My sister already knew no teacher asked us to stay back so my staying back was of my own accord. I just had to rush home.

"I rushed into the compound. It was surprising the gate was not locked. I entered and the sight I saw frightened me. I saw few elders in the compound. I was wondering why there were elders at our place. What could have happened?. Everyone was looking so serious and unhappy, I tried to ask what's happening but no one replied me. Immediately I knew the only person I could get a reply from was going to be Rose. I quickly opened the door to Rose's room, I couldn't find her. 

In a minute, I paused and started mind calculation"

Wondering, confused and disturbed... I know something bad has happened to Rose. But what could have happened?. I know you're thinking what I was thinking then... Did she die? What happened to her this time. I quickly remembered Aunty Naomi and immediately I tried to wash off my thoughts about Rose's death.

"Something bad mustn't happen to Rose. Soon I was told Rose went out to get something. That brought much relieve knowing Rose was alright.... I was a bit calm that she's fine and nothing is wrong with her" but then what's the problem? The elders outside with their dull faces... the whole air wasn't just feeling right. 

Where's my sister, my parents (if they're back home), where is everybody?.

"I opened dad's room and that was when I knew there was going to be more to what's on ground than I could imagine. "Daddy", I screamed. I went close to him and tears just poured out freely from my eyes. My little sister was crying too, dad had an accident while coming from one of his meetings and he was badly injured".

"I tried to put myself together realizing I'm older. I asked where my mother was because since I got back I haven't seen or heard of her and I was told they haven't been able to get in touch with her. This incident happened on a Friday and it was just very obvious why Mom wouldn't be at home. 

At the middle of the night, dad couldn't sleep, the pain was getting much, Rose was running round the house to bring one thing or the other. We don't know how the pain was like but for the first time, I saw my father crying like a baby. Feeling restless.  I couldn't stand it and I didn't know when I joined him crying. My baby sister had gone to bed and didn't get to hear the groanings from daddy's room"

"The night was longer than we expected it to be, I had to stay with Rose as she was taking care of dad. I didn't know when I slept off. Rose managed to drag me to sleep. 

The first week passed and my mother didn't come home, church members had been coming around to greet my daddy as his absence in church was already being felt".

"Dr Bako, our family doctor couldn't count how many days he had stayed in our house as he comes around every day to treat my father... Sometimes dad feels better and other times, the pain just get very serious again. As time went by, it was said that POP will be needed to balance the fracture he had, this broke my heart because dad won't be able to do anything on his own without the help of someone and sometimes he manages to help himself with the help of his crutches when it was getting milder".

"A month later, my mother showed up out of no where and at that time I had started my secondary school certificate examination. My time table was well spaced, I may have an examination today and the next may be in 2 days time.

Mother showed up and I was very angry at her for abandoning not only me and my sister but also my father.

"She came back looking all fresh and pretty, it's obvious she has been enjoying herself to the fullest wherever she might have been all along. While we were here worrying about her. She wasn't totally surprised as I had expected when she got to the house seeing the situation of things. Daddy narrated how the accident happened to mom and I could see the pain in my father's eyes. One thing about my father that I don't know whether to say I like it or not was the ability to be calm in any situation, as frustrating as my mother was, my father always kept his cool and avoid the drama".

"Well, like the saying goes; to life there are various phases. This was just one of it for us."

"I did my first university entrance examination, I had good grades but i wouldn't know why i wasn't admitted.  I was angry and in no time, my sister who was in senior class 1 had moved to class 2 and I couldn't bear to see her meeting up with me. My kid sis is an 'A' grade student who always come first in her class and at the time she was getting promoted to senior class 2, she was the overall best student in the school".

"I tried my best possible the first time but I wasn't admitted, my parents enrolled me for another lesson and even extra lessons so I could meet up and not fail a second time. I was reading despite all the family drama and distractions because I also needed an escape route out of my addiction with Rose and also the problems beclouding the family generally..."

"Mom never changed, in fact she became worse than ever before and she cared less about my dad's health. 

Thank God he was getting better with the help of God, Dr. Bako and Rose"

He soon stopped using a crutch for assistance and could move freely himself without any assistance. I was happy to say the least.

"Until that Saturday morning"  Mr Yomi said as he quickly excused himself to use the toilet...

What happened?

Watch out for what next

THE LEAP YEAR Ep 9

Episode 9.

The knock on the door shifted everyone's attention. They all didn't check the time to know it was way past lunch time. The breakfast they were supposed to eat by 11am was late due to the long praise and prayer session. So, lunch was extended to 4pm that day instead of the usual 3pm. 

Everyone in cell 3 was lost in Mr Yomi's story that they didn't remember to check the time to know it was already 04:30pm and lunch time was almost over.

"It's lunch time, we noticed we haven't seen anyone from this cell room in the dinning hall" the warder that knocked said.

No one out there knew that there is a story going on in our room. Not just a story but an interesting story that is taking us all in to the extent of forgetting our meals.

"We will join you soon" the assistant captain replied.  

"Maybe we should go and eat, then when we get back we can round off the story to a reasonable level" Mr Yomi suggested.

Though no one wanted him to stop, but he had to because the disadvantage of getting to the dining late may result to either eating with the annoying part of the fish or meat or even eating without any fish/meat and it can also be a cold food already.

Everyone dashed out of the room to the dining, they walked into the dinning looking like celebrities that others have been anticipating their coming.

There is no timetable to what they can give them to eat at the prison, they just cook as they feel and serve what they think is perfect for each moment. 

The food combinations in the cell can make someone throw up from the tasteless tea, not well cooked rice, undone moimoi and even the eba sometime seem so hard that to every swallow you take, you escort it down with plenty water. The life there isnt fun filled at all and the worst part is people are already used to it over time. Thats after they have purged severally.

That afternoon, we were expecting something like swallow but they served us one annoying beans like that.

The table is always filled up when it's the food that majority loves. Some days that they bring beans, they may end up taking the remaining one with them to only God knows where because it's only a few people that loves to take beans, others always try to force it down their throat with the company of garri and to the lucky ones who get to take it with pap.

They joined the queue with their plates in one hand and the other hand was holding a.cup with garri inside.

They were the last people to get to the table and they were all rushing to finish their food so they can go back to the cell room and finish the story with Mr Yomi.

 A few people saw and could read the closeness that has happened over a night sleep between everyone in cell room 3. 

Everyone was rushing their food and keeping an eye on Mr Yomi to know when he will be done with his own... So they can all return to the room to finish what they've started. 

The lunch was over and everyone started leaving the dining hall. Though the prison isn't a place to be but the memories people are making lives with them forever.

Many inmates came broken and over time, they had good relationship with people in their rooms and in the cells generally. It makes them feel light and the service they do hold on Sundays had drawn more people to God than ever before.

"All captain should wait for few minutes because there is an instruction for them" one of the warders had said.

If the captain is not back, Mr Yomi won't like to continue the story. As the captains were waiting for the instruction, others were going back to their various room. 

The meeting with the captain wasn't long as all they were told was how the schedule for their week will be like and the task that will be allocated to everyone.

The prison has a very large bushy field beside the staff quarters there. It's as large that they can't exhaust it. No one can really tell if the field was intentionally reserved to punish the prisoners or not.

Many days, all inmate will be sent to the field to work, the men will be clearing the clearing while the women will be packing and getting to burn the dirt. 

 "Sorry guys, I hope I haven't missed anything yet" the captain said as he closed the door behind him.

"Well, we waited for you so you don't miss any part of the story" Mr Yomi said.

"You stopped at something unexpected happened that afternoon" one of the guys replied. 

What happened next?

Watch out for next episode

THE LEAP YEAR Ep 8

Episode 8.

"Well done guys" the captain entered with his assistant. They were ready to listen to the story as everyone wants to know what and what had happened and how he ended up in the cell.

"That morning, the door was opened and we were wondering who it could have been, I was already calculating how to hide in case its someone that must not see us together" Mr Yomi cleared his throat as he continued.

"Dele, the gardener was the one that rushed in saying that dad sent someone from church to bring a document that has some report and receipt of church related matters for him. Rose quickly moved out to help with the search for the documents and handed it to Dele who left immediately".

"That was a second narrow escape of me almost getting caught with Rose but you know, addiction is one of the hardest thing to get over. It takes grace, I mean extra grace"

"I remember one weekend dad was away for men's prayer in church. Mom came home that night drunk. I was angry and sad at the same time, I was angrier getting to see mom being dropped home by an unknown man"

"What will a married woman be doing with another man, at that time of the night? I was beginning to dislike my mother. Or maybe not beginning but an hatred for her was beginning to build up. 

"I will come back and talk about that unknown man but you wont believe that mom threw up at our sitting room that night, she had taken too much of the drink that actually made her throw up. Few minutes after, she fell on the sofa at the sitting room and she slept off"

I was about picking a fight with her but when I realized it will yield no fruit I just retreated.

Someone that was drunk and even unconscious of her environment, what can I possibly say that she will hear. I left for my room.

"My sister has been distant from everyone in the house even me and we didn't even have an idea of whatever she might have been battling with or going through but we knew or rather I knew she was unusually quiet and not wanting to relate with anyone. Once she was done eating, she pick on her assignment and sleep after". 

"You haven't told us your younger sister's name and don't forget that unknown man too..." One of the guys interrupted.

"I am coming there, let me start with the man, the man has been keeping my mother company for over a year before that day that he followed her home. The man goes by the name Jimi, Jimi was one of the clients in our company. My mother is the co-founder of dad's company although she has a clothing line and boutique to her name too. She has been going out with him unknown to my busy father and she was already contemplating on switching to the man's church since she has long stopped going to church with us" 

"Mom woke up the following morning to ask what had happened but the shame couldn't let any of us talk. She wanted to know and insist we talk, alas Rose told her all that happened"

She didn't look remorseful, she just said Oh! she sighed and then carelessly said sorry about that and straight way she left us.

"The only grace that weekend was the fact that dad didn't sleep home due to the men's prayers that he had to attend that Friday night" 

"I can't even tell my dad about what happened when he was away and it was looking like everyone in the house has something the next person must not hear, we kept on acting all good"

"3 years down the lane, I was already in senior secondary class 3 and I was preparing for my final secondary school exams and the government exams too. Aside the fact that school organised classes for us, my parents didn't stop changing our lesson teacher. 

My mother being the type that was hard to satisfy when it comes to some certain things.

"She could sack any staff at any slight provocation which makes people to prefer my calm father to her both at work and in church back then.

"Oh, I almost forgot. My baby sister.

"My sister's name is Yinka Cole and she was 14 while I was 16 years as at the time I was in senior class 3, she was in senior class 1.

When you talk of brilliancy, you'd call her name first before mine. She was extra ordinarily intelligent, wise and sharp. She always come top in her class. Her average performance has never gone below 75%. 

I remembered when we were still much younger and close then. Anytime we engaged in a competition at home or a game she'll always beat me hands down. It was only at football I had an upper hand. She only enjoys watching football she's weird at kicking a ball but I always made her try playing. Well, she had to because she was my only playmate then. She was fast in learning but she couldn't catch all the skills of football. 

She had very many collection of books. So, it wasn't very surprising when she speaks. She's vast in knowledge too.

"Well, finally, a brother from the church agreed to be coming around to assist us with home lesson. At first it didn't seat well with my mother based on her anger and hatred for the church already, it took a while before she agreed to the brother coming around to take us"

"Brother Andrew was one of the calm and easy going brothers in church. He works at the church's school as a part time staff and also in some other schools in town. The church we attended also have a school but mom was against us going there so she opted for another private school" 

"Rose and I haven't stopped all we do together for about 6 years now, and I could say I was never going to stop because it has become a part of me. I see it to be a way of life already. If I'm not at Rose's room, I'll be in my room reading erotic novels and masturbating or reading magazines which I collected from my friend. I now have enough books and magazines that can be of help at any time".

"One afternoon, the unexpected happened" Mr Yomi said but a knock on the cell door interrupted them.

What happened?

Watch out for what next.

THE LEAP YEAR Ep 7

Episode 7.

"Who started it? Who planned this out?" One of the warder was asking but the head of warders came in to the scene and asked them to explain what really happened. 

All the while, when those in cell 3 were listening to Mr Yomi's story, those in cell 8 had 3 people who weren't sleeping. No, they weren't listening to any story but they were planning on an escape route.

Patrick was the master planner. He had arranged with Ben and Chris.

The dinner was served and they knew there was one of the warders at the first gate. Tho they all worked in shifts. Morning and evening.

The warder on night shift that weekend had been studied over time that he likes to take palm wine. They had arranged with someone from outside after a visit as a family member a week ago to help them bring in drugs that can not only make someone sleep but also make them unconscious for long.

Chris tiptoed towards the keg of wine close to the security door and added the drugs. The warder had not only taken the palm wine, but he shared with 4 others that loved to merry. 

Minutes later, they all slept off so they tried to pick the gate key.

The prison yard has 3 doors, two doors and the main gate. They had successfully opened the first, on opening the second, a warder heard sounds and moved to the direction immediately he saw them he signalled to another warder not too far away but alert and before they could attempt opening the main gate they were rounded up. 

They raised an alarm having their guns cocked too. Tho the gun was just to scare them and also a means of protection but no intention of shooting them. The 3 of them feared at the sight of the gun which made them surrendered and handed over the keys back.

It was out of fear that Ben confessed that they had drugged the other security men who were supposed to be on duty there.

Everyone was amazed with all that happened and the head of warders dismissed everyone  instructing that the 3 of them  be put in the underground cell where they won't be able to see the sun or day light.

The underground cell was always not in use except for cases like that. The place is disgusting and very small, you can't really stay too long there. Although the cook had been ordered to keep serving them food there but they are not allowed to come out till the head of warders decides to release them.

"I hope this will serve as a warning to you all; if anyone should make any funny attempt, he will join them in the underground cell" the head of warder said as he made his way out of the open space to his office.

The day kept on crawling as every cell 3 member was counting down to when they'd continue their story.

The Sunday fellowship started, some of those that stayed up late in the night was half awake and half asleep. The fellowship always lasted for an hour and 30 minutes and this day too wasn't going to be an exception.

Service was from 9am to 10:30am while breakfast was always 11am on Sundays. 

They started with some selected worship songs and then praise songs, word of admonition and prayer.

Every Sunday brought different pastors and ministers of God.

There were only few times they have repeatedly sent same pastor but on other times, they meet with new faces.

The fellowship was always a time to reflect, praise and pray. Many times some of the pastors will ask them to fast and pray. 

"There is no place you cannot fulfil purpose, God may use your prison experience for someone else's healing some day" one of the pastor that was sent once said.

The total number of prisoners should be around 350 both males and females. They didn't have a hall to contain such a number at once so, they use the open space for fellowship. 

The guest pastor for that Sunday, talked about praising God in trying times, he used different bible character to explain better but he was more emphatic relating with Job in the bible. 

The word of admonition brought tears to many people's eyes, some started praying and speaking in tongues while some others were rolling on the floor. It was obvious most persons had rededicated their life to Christ that Sunday.

The prayer session went on and on that almost everyone forgot they hadn't eaten. The fellowship that ought to have ended by 10:30am didn't end until about 12:00pm.

After the service, it was no longer breakfast they had but lunch. Everyone made their way to the dining hall.

It was a terrible salty hard rice with watery tasteless tea that was served. Everyone ate with displeasure. 

Since Sunday was the only free day, they all moved to their different cell room after the meal.

"Can we continue the story now" one of cell 3 inmates said.

"Of course yes, let others come in and I will tell you what happened from where we stopped" Mr Yomi had said.

What's happening next?

Watch out for the next episode.

THE LEAP YEAR Ep 6

Episode 6.

Everyone in the room wanted to know who it was. 

If only they could get a remote control and fast forward Mr Yomi they'd gladly do it. 

"Brother Saka one of my dad's favourite drivers that lives in one of the rooms in the flat behind our house. 

I couldn't explain how I got to the wardrobe. I was thinking of what to say.

On a normal day, Saka doesn't come to our rooms and even when he comes to our apartment, he doesn't stay in long. Once he delivers whatever message they sent him, he will go back. Not even a minute extra"

"I told him a big lie that I didn't know where it came from.  I told him I was doing hide and seek with my sister and since I couldn't hide again I decided to come out and go check on her"

"Hide and seek kè? By this time?  you don't know what the time says"

"It is already past 2, he said and sent me to my room that night. 

It was indeed a narrow escape but not totally. I tiptoed back to my room, I was so happy that I wasn't caught up in an act like that.

"I was wondering for how long Saka has been coming to Rose's room. 

Conversation led to it one way or the other, It was then I knew Rose always intentionally leaves the back door opened and whenever they like, they meet up and catch up..."

"Days went by and I stopped going to Rose's room though I couldn't help the urge so it led to me masturbating. I became addicted and also a full time masturbator, if there is any word like that"

"On the other hand, Saka wouldn't stop coming in and out of our house unnoticed and this time, they were almost taking over the house as my mother now goes from one place to another and have reasons not to come home to even sleep while dad on the other hand has been appointed as the Head of Welfare Unit giving him more responsibilities in church"

"I am not saying church doesn't select ministers based on the spirit of God but I felt being rich was also part of their criteria. They knew that dad carries two-thirds(2/3) of most project in church while the church take up the remaining part from the church's offering and tithes"

So, it wasn't difficult to appoint him as the Head of Unit (Welfare).

"Since my parents wanted us to graduate with good grades in school despite not having our time personally, they kept on changing lesson teacher for us like someone changing cloth. Once in a blue moon my parents get to see the result from school, and once they do so, they always felt like the lesson teachers were not doing enough and then the search for another begins".

"Days when mom won't sleep at home, Rose was the one playing the mother role in the house but what pisses me off often was the fact that Rose was always intentionally being harsh on me maybe so that no one would suspect anything going on with us but I didn't like it. Though I didn't know it was intentional, I was feeling I wasn't doing enough compared to Saka.

I obviously became jealous.

"I had a friend in school, Jibola, he was an exposed and experienced guy that started moving with his elder brothers to visit motels and he read many ungodly books. The shame of who I've been sleeping with and who I've become generally couldn't let me open up to him but I stylishly asked him to give me some of his erotic novels and magazines"

"Since there was no one at home to check my schoolbag or reading locker, I was safe. They didn't know I had so much I was hiding. All these books increased my urge to masturbate, it got to the level where I will run out of class sometimes to the toilet to masturbate and quicky go back to class"

"I was dealing with this for as long as I could remember and I couldn't tell anyone about it.

The secondary school I went to was a mixed of boarding school and day school. There was this fellowship we do have every Friday, I will come out every Friday to give my life to Jesus and then lost my life to the devil later in the night when I get home from school" 

It was pathetic. 

There was a knock on the cell room door, that made us checked the time and it was already past 12am. We have never stayed up that late before because everyone was always going their own way. The only time we talked closely was either during food or when working on the field. 

"You people no sleep bah? the warder that  knocked said but since the captain of our room was one respected and responsible prisoner, he told him we were all having men's talk and the warder left.

"Where were we?" Mr Yomi asked.

"Anyways, one of the weekends that my parents wouldn't be around, I heard mom giving instructions to Rose on the things she needed to get from the market to stock up the house which will last for a while"

"Dad on the other hand was having a pastor's and head of unit conference that will last from Friday till Sunday that weekend. So it was so certain that we will all be left to ourselves alone for that weekend. I was excited that I will still get a moment with Rose as I've read books that has boosted my ego and made me believe I can do better than Saka"

"I was happier because dad will be travelling with his driver, Saka and it was so sure I would have the whole weekend to enjoy Rose to the fullest but what broke my heart was when dad said the church had arranged a bus that will take them to the first location before they will go to the airport to take a flight out of the state". 

"One way or the other, I ended up in Rose's room that night and all the fun and play started in no time. I don't know where Rose got her strength from, she's never tired or satisfied. I slept off some minutes later".

"Rose didn't lock the door to the main entrance of the house and whenever that door is opened we will always know because of the noisy sound that accompanies it.

"It was past 6am that morning when we heard the front door opened" Mr Yomi said but he suggested they all go to sleep that he will continue from there after the Sunday fellowship. He was feeling tired and sleepy already.

Everyone climbed their beds and bunks that midnight and they all decided to wait for what will happen next after the Sunday fellowship.

The morning came faster than they thought, they slept late afterall and they all didn't have enough rest but still they had to get out of bed that morning.

It was a noise from outside that woke them all up that morning.

What happened in the cell?

Watch out for the next episode.

THE LEAP YEAR Ep 5

Episode 5

"A knock? who could it be?" One of the guys interrupted and everyone drew closer to know what happened.

Mr Yomi wanted to stop talking after checking the time knowing well that it's late already and everyone was expected to be sleeping by 11pm.  

The light out is 11pm and this day was a Saturday. Every Sunday, there was always a fellowship in the prison.

Sometimes, people are sent from different churches to come and share the word of hope as well as pray with them. This tradition has been on going for several years. And it was really good and helpful.

They had to wake up early do the little clean up and prepare for the fellowship. So, he was thinking of stopping since it was already late so they could catch a little sleep before dawn.

"No, continue Mr, we are enjoying you" the captain said. 

"Yes! please go on...." Others replied.

As long as the instruction was coming from the captain, it was enough excuse to give for not sleeping when the warders come around to check.

"As I said earlier, it was just 5 minutes into all the play and tickling when we heard a knock on the door. I was scared so much that I wasn't even thinking of the way out. Rose's room was not as big as other rooms which made her room to have just one window and one door,  not like my sister's room that has a door leading to the parlor and another leading to the store room and my own room has a door leading to the dining and the other to the laundry room" 

"The knock came again and this time we knew the game was up. It was over. I was silently praying and wishing it was just wind that was touching the door and not human" Mr Yomi smiled and continued. 

"I was analyzing who it could be in my mind,  my father must not meet me there, it will result to so many punishments that will not only affect me but Rose too but it couldn't have been my mom, I thought further.. she doesn't even move her body when she sleeps, that's how tired she can be. And my little sister too, must be fast asleep by now. Who could it be?

"But who could it be?" Someone repeated after him. 

"I was already thinking if it was my sister, we can tease her and paint the story to be like she was sleep walking and couldn't know where she was going or what she saw. 

Rose suggested that I hide inside her wardrobe, she opened the wardrobe and quickly pushed me inside, she covered with more cloth as well. I couldn't breath so well under those cloth and almost half of the clothes were sweaty dirty clothes she had planned to wash by weekend"

I wonder why she kept them in the wardrobe anyway.

"I was there choking with smell and was also running out of breath. Rose finally summoned the courage to go to the door. I couldn't see the person since I was hiding inside the wardrobe but I could hear Rose telling the person that she thought the person wouldn't come that night again" 

Ah! "I tried to open the wardrobe to see who the person was but it was quite difficult because it was dark already and the light in her room was off. We could only see the rays of light flashing through the window from outside"

"Our compound was a very big one, my father built a 2-bedroom flat behind our house, same compound for some of the staffs working in our house". I could hear the person inside the room telling Rose that he is taking his turn that night and it will be fun all through. "Have you set the alarm? Remember I have to be awake on time before I will get caught".

"I was inside there still calculating in my head what may be going on and how I will survive the rest of the night inside the smelly wardrobe that I was hiding".

"I never knew time had gone, I was already feeling sleepy and dizzy, I was beginning to feel uneasy and felt like throwing up too. I knew if I come out, what has been going on with me and Rose would be known. As much as I hated what I was introduced to at 10, I was naive then but then, I was already enjoying it so much that I almost couldn't go a night without a touch here and there".

"I didn't know when my eyes began to close and I mistakenly dozed off, it was when I hit my head on the plank that was used to demarcate the wardrobe that I quickly opened my eyes"

"The man in the room asked,  what's that sound coming from your wardrobe? 

Rose was smart enough to convince him that there was nothing and that it might just be the plank that was stretching"

"Waoh! That was the first time in my life I will hear that plank do stretch. I wanted to laugh but I had to cover my mouth with one of her gowns. She was able to make him ignore every sound and any form of distraction.

"Not long after, I hit my head on the plank again and this time around, it was louder than the first time, this was an evidence that the plank wasn't stretching but that someone was inside the wardrobe".

"You know one thing about lying is that, when you say one, you will keep looking for one more to cover the first one, she was able to convince him again, my heart skipped faster thinking the man in the room will come to the wardrobe and open it. 

This third time, I was already deep in sleep that I didn't know when i fell on the door of the wardrobe, it was when I landed on the floor I woke up, and then I realised I was out of the wardrobe finally.

"Yomi, what are you doing here? The man said. 

"Who's the man?" Someone asked and another replied "We don't know yet".

Who is the man?

Watch out for the next episode

THE LEAP YEAR Ep 4

Episode 4

You know that moment when you can't just assume or guess what might happen next? That's the exact way everyone was feeling as Mr Yomi shared his story.

They were all curious and same time happy. Cell 3 has never been this relatable. Thank God for the new guy who made Mr Yomi shared his story.

As busy as the captain in the room always seemed to be and everyone else too. They were all beginning to pay rapt attention to the story as it was getting more interesting and deeper.

Also an advantage they had for that day was that they were a bit free from all activities and they could choose to stay awake all night but staying awake all night won't be a totally good option as the warders will come very early in the morning knocking on each cell door. And they will all have to get up because defaulters or disobedient inmates will always be punished.

"Rose was with us alone that afternoon, he continued... it was about 8 months that she has joined the family. So far she was playing her roles well, my parents didn't see a reason to doubt her or anything she does. My mother already trusted her so much that she doesn't even go to the kitchen at all to check out what she was doing?"

"My mother is a boss lady that can always get away with anything or command anyone to do anything for her at any given time. It was still a bit better in the time of our first maid. That time mom will still be the one to serve dad but now, everything is in the care of Rose"

"Dad left home very early that morning so he could catch up with his flight to Abuja for a business meeting and to close a contract deal while mom left the house without much words. As at this time, mother has stopped following us to church as the only time she had to rest was on Sunday after the busy weekend"

"All her attitude was already affecting dad but his business has being the biggest distraction for him not to feel the space that much. Dad had tried his best possible to make things work out but all to no avail now he has left everything to God himself to come and work on my mother's heart".

"Come here, where is your sister? Rose said to me that afternoon, and as I'm talking with you tonight, her voice is still ringing in my head. She asked me to come to her room that she had something to show me. I followed her without thinking twice".

What would I even think? Small me? I was very much innocent. I was barely 10 years old.

"Our house was a big one, she has her own separate room, dad's room was different from mom's room and mine isn't same with that of my sister too. There was also a small room close to the dining where we do have the family worship. My father doesn't joke with family worship as busy as he was". 

"Rose invited me to her room and when I entered, she told me that being a man starts from age 10 and that it wasn't a big deal in her state, she told me how much the society expects from men and how they must be strong, she talked and talked and kept talking till I was sleepy but I found it rude to tell an elderly person to shut up, the one that was most painful was the inability to walk out on them due to the respect you have for them".

"My baby sister was sleeping at that moment and the whole house was quiet a bit aside the neighbour's dog that couldn't stop barking at intervals. I didn't understand all she was saying. I kept looking still at her. She drew my trousers down and started caressing me but I had no clue of what she was doing.

"I couldn't say I enjoyed it but I knew everything was strange and feels so weird but since there was no one to talk to or ask about it. I was 10. I kept silent."

The captain shouted Ah! "10 years old boy, that's way too young, that lady is evil" 

"This kept on going for 3 years and I was already used to the molestation and all the escapade that Rose introduced me to. My parents were getting busier day by day and the business was blooming making dad to be away more often than usual"

"I overheard dad talking to mom during one of their late night talks about how she should try and be more available for us since he was trying to be out there so as to make more money and keep us all in a comfortable stress-free life but mom didn't even see a truth in what daddy said. She concluded that we're big enough and moreso we have Rose with us all day.

"But Rose is not their mother" Dad thundered. Please spare me that, so, I should become a nanny all over again because I have children?? Please and please enough of this talk my children are doing just fine can't you see how healthy they look? Moreso, if you feel there's any drawback you can step in or are you not their father again? She retorted and walked out of the room.

"Almost every night, once we are done with our evening devotions, I sneak to Rose's room. I am always waiting for the devotions to end quickly so I can go to her. I hardly pray but keep looking at the time.

Mom on the other hand had long lost her spiritual sense. I can't count the number of times mom had missed the night devotions as she was always coming home late and tired. On few occasions that she joined us, she was always half way sleeping and half way awake. There were times when we already ended the prayer, but she will remain on her knees until dad screams in Jesus name we pray in her ears then she'll start saying Amen Amen repeatedly. It was obvious she was long gone in sleep.

"The days kept on moving with different new lessons from Rose and yet my parents wasn't noticing the closeness between us at all, they were not even sensitive to have noticed that something was going on under their roof"

"After the devotions one night, I tiptoed to her room as usual, she will always put on a transparent night gown that reveals her body. She always looked so catchy that anyone who sees her fair skin through the cloth won't be able to resist her"

"To save time, I always made sure I sleep with only my short on so I won't be stressing myself pulling up cloth when I get to her room and that night wasn't different, I was on a short without a shirt"

"I got in and we started playing and talking, she pushed me to the bed and started tickling me, I tried my best possible not to make any loud sound since everyone was at home".

"About Five minutes later, there was a knock on her door"

Who was at the door?

Watch out for the next episode.

THE LEAP YEAR Ep 3

Episode 3

Mr Yomi sighed and started explaining what turned around for his family.

"Two young men were seen carrying someone dripping in blood down to the house, everyone was completely shocked and surprised. The young men were running as fast as their legs could take them" 

"Guess who it was?" Mr Yomi asked but since no one else could tell the story better, he continued. 

Everyone who cares to listen to his story moved closer. 

About 2 other inmates joined as they found Mr Yomi's story interesting. It is so surprising to know that for as long as he has been in the cell, he has never mentioned his story or what brought him into the cell to anyone. And they've never bothered to ask him.

"It was Aunty Naomi, our house help" he said as everyone interrupted with a scream.

One of the guys asked to know what could have happened, what's the cause and so many questions at the same time that even left Mr Yomi clueless to which of the questions to answer first. 

"She had followed those that were returning the rentals back to the base but since the place was a few minutes walk home, she chose to walk back home"

"This was not the first time she will be passing that area, she was familiar with the roads, she knew when and when not to cross the road. I really don't know how it happened and why it has to happen.  The two young men found her in the pool of her blood and brought her into the compound because they knew that's where she lives"

"We later got to know a particular bus driver that the police were stopping but because he doesn't have his particulars,  he didn't stop and the police started chasing him. In the process of her crossing the road, she didn't notice the bus driver coming through the wrong lane, the bus eventually hit her and she passed out dripping in blood"

"Most people had gone back to their places and mom had gone to change her cloth from the expensive lace to a free short-hand gown. Dad was just shouting Jesus, Jesus while my baby sister was crying profusely" 

"Aunty is a wonderful being, she doesn't get angry and she doesn't look down on us being kids, she is ever ready to learn and if she had gotten the chance to go to school, she would have been a very brilliant person but this life..." Mr Yomi paused and gulp the water in his small yellow keg.

Life just happens you know.

"But did she survive it or not?" One of the guys asked curiously.

"Saka, one of my dad's favourite driver was called to quickly rush aunty to the hospital" 

"Our parents left us with the church's youth leader at home. The youth leader was the one that led the team of the young people that came around to help us with the cleaning and arrangement after the party"

"When they got to the hospital, the news was too hard for my mother to bear as she was told alongside my dad that Aunty Naomi couldn't make it"

"My parents came home that night with so much pain and hurt. Aside the fact that Aunty Naomi has always been there for us all, she even covers up for some of our little silly misbehaviours, now no one to do that again, there were days when she will stay up to help us write our notes and assist in her little ways with our assignment"

Even the ones she can't do. She'll make sure she stay awake with us till we finish it. She was just an awesome being. "Infact I can say she's the mother we never had"

"I cried my eyes out because we have grown so used to her, she plays a motherly role in our lives, the thought of not seeing her again was hard to accept. Even dad wasn't always around for us, he's trying to mix the whole business thing with church activities" Aunty Naomi was our everything and now she's gone.

"Reality soon dawned on us and my parents started looking for another maid who can fill Aunty Naomi's space.

Well, a new maid can always fill the space but can they fill the vacuum in our heart? He asked and everyone echoed "No"

"Within the space of 3 months, my parents had changed about 3 maids and none was giving us what we needed. Mom counted herself too big for kitchen job and general house chores" hence, our continuous change till we get one that is reasonable.

My mom had informed everyone who cared to listen that she wanted a housemaid. So, they should help her in search of a good one.

"My mother hates someone being lazy and that's one of her major turn off with some of the maids that she kept sending away. I remember a time like that Aunty Bili will not wake up till 8am in the morning, she can sleep for Africa and on many occasion she causes us to leave home late. The Cole in our name is part of why teachers dont want to take much action over our lateness even many times, dad will wake up to make tea and promise to get something to eat at work just because the maid wont wake up and time and mom will never go to kitchen"

"Somehow I do feel like mom can't cook because while growing up, the family had maid who was taken care of her and doing all sort of house chores for her."

 

"It wasn't until the 4th month after Naomi's death that a church member came with a young lady, she is Rose by name and she is from Abia state Nigeria. Rose is one pretty fair lady with this matured look than her age, tho she's in her late 20's. I always wonder why a young lady like that will opt for working as a maid"

"Mom didn't want to accept her because she was from daddy's church. She had grown to hate everything about that church and everything relating to it. 

Well, she had no choice this time but to accept Aunty Rose.

"For everyone in this life, there is a story to tell."

Rose was beginning to make us forget the memories we were holding onto of Aunty Naomi.

"Until one afternoon that something else happened"

"Ahh!" 

Everyone inside the cell shouted, including the new inmate that started the question "what happened?"

Watch out for what next.

THE LEAP YEAR Ep 2

Episode 2.

"My name is Yomi Cole, you see that Cole in my name it's like a pass to anywhere I want to enter in this world" the man said as he started his story. 

"Cole as I earlier mentioned is my father's name, he is a renowned businessman that deals with all round and all kind of businesses, name it, he is there. He invested from building materials to site management, real estate, clothing, transportation and even food stuff" he said with a smile on his face. 

He kept smiling as he talked about the wealth of his father. 

"My father, Joseph Cole and my mother Kemi Cole got married at a young age. My mother's family contributed most to my father's business when he was starting up, they expected much more from him but I think he disappointed them by not meeting up. So this gave my mom the opportunity to always abuse him or have her way around things. Soon enough she joined him to manage the companies and not long there was progress"

"How do you mean sir? Can you shed more light" one of the inmate asked.

Mr Yomi Cole wasn't totally sounding like he wants to summarize his journey as he was taking them back to his family matter and all that has led him down to the cell.

"My father kept on having issues with my mother and at that time, I  was only 4 years old while my baby sister was 2years old. I've seen days when my father will be frustrated by my mother's attitude but instead of fighting with her, he will beg her and try to calm her down but my mother will never take a bow".

"As we grew, we enjoyed the wealth of our father as he is not only financially stable, he is also a bit of a spiritual person compared to my mother, my mother is the jayejaye (fun lover) kind of person. She goes from one party to another, she would rather be at a party for 12 hours than to be in a vigil for 2 hours. Her weekends are always engaged. If not a friend's party it will be an association member's occasion. There just must be something to take her weekend" he further narrated as he adjusted his seat.

"There was a time I counted five whole weekends that mom wasn't at home. The fifth time almost caused a big fight between dad and mom. It was very surprising and annoying how every of her friends will always have something to do, from one burial ceremony to a birthday party or otherwise, a naming ceremony, housewarming or reunion of old friends. Ah! I remembered when she was listing them for dad that Sunday when she returned.

Dad almost slapped her but for the sake of my little sister and I my dad held himself.

She hardly have our time and since dad can't be home 24/7, he entrusted us into the hands of housemaids. 

It's funny how we kept changing housemaids. Aunty Faith our first housemaid was sent out of the house by daddy because she didn't know how to cook. Her meals were always terrible. Dad got tired of it after my younger sister and I fell sick at the same time. He sent her packing then Mom brought another after three days. 

Aunty Busola was a light skinned lady tall and slim, her beauty was very obvious and she always wears this smiling face but little did we know that the smiles were temporal. We prefer calling her Aunty Ola as it was short. 

Aunty Ola was very good at mathematics and she helped me with my assignments, her meals was always very tasty and good unlike Aunty Faith. There was no falling ill because of bad food.

Dad was thankful. We were all happy. 

It was barely six months after Aunty Ola resumed and she started behaving weird.

She shouts at us at will, she beat us up for doing nothing.

I remembered one Thursday morning after dad has left the house for work mom too wasn't at home, Aunty Ola gave me a broom to sweep the whole house. I was only 4 years old. I haven't finished sweeping two rooms when I got tired. I was in pains. 

Aunty Ola, I can't continue. I said crying... my waist is paining me. 

Ehn! You said what? You've not even started, when I beat you today you'll sweep that floor. Better start sweeping" were her words. She didn't even look at my tears as she continued. 

"So, I'm your servant abi I will cook for you, bathe you, wash your clothes, do other things and I'll still sweep your father's house for you abi?  she kept saying... 

Aunty Ola went inside to get a cane, she flogged me mercilessly, I cried and cried yet she didn't stop, I could feel my skin peeling. I ran and she followed me. She flogged me till she was satisfied. I couldn't even cry again. I could only hear heavy sobs. My body hurts.

She brought warm water to massage my body and told me not to tell my daddy when he comes. I answered her affirmatively to avoid more beatings. 

Meanwhile, this wasn't the first time she was beating me for doing nothing but this time was worse.

I just waited for daddy's return that day.

When he got back, I went to him and started crying he got worried and when he asked I didn't answer, he came close to hold me but I screamed as he touched me I was in pains. My body is paining me was all I could say. Before long he noticed the mark on my neck because Aunty Ola made me wear a long sleeve but thank God she couldn't cover the neck too.

It is Aunty Ola my younger sister shouted. Dad carefully raised my shirt and what he saw left him in shock.

"What is this? Who flogged you? Busola! Busola!! What happened to Yomi? What are all these marks on his body?" My father asked in anger. Aunty Busola couldn't say a word.

Yomi, who did this? I couldn't answer, I just pointed to her. 

Busola what happened? Why this much beating what did he do that you couldn't wait for me to return? No words were coming from Aunty Ola. Dad got angry and gave her as many slaps as he could. She left the house that day.

"I don't know a woman who will leave her home not being cared for and leave her 4 years old son and 2 years old daughter in the hand of a maid." Were dad's words to Mom that evening when she got back. 

It was another quarrel that evening at our house. My Mom was shocked when she saw my body. she couldn't believe it. 

Busola what have I done to you to deserve this? What has this child ever done to you? 

She too gave Aunty Ola the beating of her life before she packed out of the house that evening.

All this was a pain in my childhood that I wish I could get over even now but it still lingers" he shook his head

"My dad didn't want anymore househelps but they had no choice as mommy would not stay back home and leave her shops closed.

Not long after, one of my mom's friends brought her niece to live with us as our new househelp.

She promised mom she's a good girl. "She just returned from Benin Republic and since I'm the only one she has got here and I don't stay home as much, I thought of sending her to you. She's well mannered trust me." Mom's friend had said that afternoon as she brought Aunty Naomi to our house. Okay my dear friend, I trust you. Thank you for helping me. 

Mom showed Aunty Naomi to her room.

"Aunty Naomi was not that educated, she is from Benin Republic and she was just learning to speak English and express herself a bit more in Yoruba but she's fluent in French and one other dialect I can't remember" 

She was indeed well mannered as her aunt had said. We loved her.

"Some years later, mom was celebrating her 40th birthday, then I was already 10 while my sister was 8 years old"

"Everywhere was filled up as all my mom's friends showed up and it seemed like there was more to the party than just a birthday party. My father had invited some church members to grace the occasion too and he suggested that the pastor of our church took the sermon"

"Not knowing that mom already concluded in her mind not to follow dad to that church again, although she hasn't been able to get a good reason to leave until her birthday occasion where the pastor's preaching went from "Psalms 90:12  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom to 1 John 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. It was like the words were piercing mom's heart. The pastor continued on and on....

"Mom got pissed off to the extent that he asked the MC to collect the microphone from the pastor"

"It was a very embarrassing and disgraceful moment for the pastor, I could still remember vividly the disappointment written all over the church member's faces"

"The party was over, everyone ate to their satisfaction and I could feel how excited it was for mom to be 40 and the day went according to her plans well except for the pastor's episode" 

"Everyone went back to their houses and we only had a few persons left to assist in arranging things. the young people that my dad has requested to join us too were around to help with washing of dishes and sweeping the compound"

"Our biggest turn around started that same day, mom's birthday was a day of history and mystery at the same time"

What happened? The new inmate that started the question shouted.

Watch out for the next episode.

THE LEAP YEAR Ep 1

Episode 1.

"After checking through this case, we realized that you are guilty as charged" the judge had said that afternoon. 

Immediately the judge said that, people started mumbling and grumbling but they were all called to order and everywhere went silent as a grave yard. 

This case has been on for 3 months as the court kept on pushing the days further and further which didn't stop the investigating teams from working and looking for more evidences to proof whether guilty or not.

"This is my judgement, you are hereby sentenced to 7 years imprisonment with hard labour" 

People started murmuring again as the chief judge took his leave after they all have been ordered to rise.

His family and friends who were present couldn't stop crying; the parents most especially as they saw their only son being taken away, handcuffed by the police.

"We tried our best possible to win this case but it's beyond us" Lawyer Ebun had said as she tried to console everyone of them. 

Lawyer Ebun is one of the young and vibrant lawyers, she has won very many cases and also won some awards of recognition based on her excellent performance.

The police pushed him into the vehicle with handcuff in his hand. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he remembered how much he had planned to make his parents proud.

"I will take you round the world and give you that dream life you have always wanted" and many more are the words he had told his parents. This kept replaying in his head and he wept bitterly and uncontrollably.

After a few hours drive, they finally arrived at Kakakhi Prison. This prison has another history attached to it and its name but that's not the story for today...

This prison yard is actually one of the oldest and its wall is so high that it can only take a miracle to climb it without falling. It has some iron-like design above it too as a guard.

The location is far from the main town that even if you have a means to go out you may not get to the main road or anywhere known for hours. 

"Take him to cell 3 where the hardened criminals are kept" the head of warders had commanded. 

The set of people in this cell are people with cases related to murder and all sort of serious crimes you can think of. 

The way each room was being built, it wasn't supposed to take more than 5 people but nothing is as surprising as seeing 10 people in the room, squeezing each other in.

They handed a green color prison short and shirt to him as one of the warders took the lead while he followed. 

As he was walking behind he noticed some rooms had more than 10 persons while some other rooms were not up to 10.

"You are lucky that the room you are being sent to is not totally filled up, you will be the 11th person in this room.

The biggest surprise was the fact that every room has a captain and an assistant that gives command, training and orientation. 

One of the welcome party they do for new inmates as they join the cell is by pouring water on them and taking turns in beating them.

He almost passed out that night when 8 people out of the 10 beat him mercilessly that night. The first person was the captain, he didn't join in the beating but he was commanding others to do so while the other person was a cell 3 member too and most quiet in the room. He never liked such experience and as such he never joined others in beating new prisoners.

Days started rolling by and there were occasions when meals were not properly cooked or not timely served.

There are days when the breakfast will be coming in around 12pm and he is the type that loves to eat his breakfast as early as 8am in the morning but he has no option than to start adjusting to the new life style he found there.

Sleeping is another problem as they barely found space to sleep peacefully. Most times you wake up to find someones legs on your body. Other times it is somebody's head on your back or tummy.

As time goes on, he was beginning to blend with the style and system of operation in the prison. They've allocated the work each and everyone will be doing. They only have a short while to eat and if they are not sleeping, they are on the field working tirelessly. 

There is this quietness around the man who didn't join in beating the new prisoner in that cell room that calls for questioning. He is not the talking type and it's difficult to even know what he is thinking, whether he is happy or sad we can't tell but one thing about him is that once there is work to do, he gets to do his work and love to get it all done. 

He has been noticing the man for about 3 weeks since he has joined them in the room till one afternoon, he decided to move close to him after a tiring long Saturday to ask him a few questions. 

The man here shouldn't be more than 40 years old though but it's certain he is the oldest in the room; a bit older than some and much older than others.

"Sir, I noticed your quietness and I've been trying to find a means to talk to you all along" 

"Thank you my brother, if there is no fire, there won't be smoke" the man replied.

"I will tell you what actually brought me to this stage, but before then, let's freshen up and take the dinner the cook sent" the man concluded.

They freshened up and curiosity was about to kill the cat.

What does the man has to say?

Watch out for the next episode.