GHOST

HARMLESS GHOSTS OF MY PAST

Some said it was because I wore short skirts all around the house. Others said it was because I was fair complexioned and my skin was always screaming for attention. The kind ones concluded that it was my mother's fault for not noticing anything was wrong. The wicked ones blamed her for being too busy.
 I heard everything and I could only smile even through the pain.  Listening to their comments about what happened to me only made it seem more surreal. And hardened my resolve to take permanent action against my ghosts.

My name is Veronica, My story is one that might elicit pity from you. But please do not share that emotion. Learn from it and move on. Just like I have. I lost my dad when I was 13. And as painful as it was, it was much more painful for my mother who immediately assumed the role of breadwinner for my sister and I. She worked from 7am till anytime She could come home.

We learned to take care of ourselves and tried as much as possible not to bother her in any way. As the first child, I assumed the role of mother and took care of my sister to the best of my ability.
Then Came Uncle Innocent. Uncle Innocent was my dad's brother who all the while lived in South Africa.  He Came to Nigeria and my mum felt obliged to accommodate him since no other close relative lived in Lagos.

He brought a lot of goodies and made us all happy as he gradually became a part of our lives. Buying us our necessities and taking care of us. He attended all PTA meetings when mum couldn't and drove us everywhere. He was our God sent angel.. But then it only took a little while for me to realize that this angel wasn't so innocent afterall.

One afternoon Uncle Innocent sent my sister to get him some vegetables from the market. I protested because I felt she was too young to go all the way there besides the fact that we didn't need vegetables for anything in the house at that moment. He silenced me saying he wanted to make a delicacy they eat in South Africa and we would like it.  I just said okay. Excited that I'd get to eat foreign food.

As my sister left, he Locked the door and began to take off his trousers.
I was astonished. He had never done that. Before I knew what was happening, I received the slap that changed my life. He didn't utter a word.
I had heard of Rape, I experienced it first hand. I Shouted. I struggled. But his huge body didn't even allow me succeed a little. Being a hot afternoon,  everyone had gone to work. My screams yielded no attention from neighbors.
When he finished, he told me I wasn't to utter a word, else the same ordeal would be my sister's lot. The mere thought of that shut me up.

 I suffered in silence. I didn't know who to tell. I was just a mess of a broken spirit and a used body. After about 3 months Uncle Not-so Innocent left our house escorted by the police when a neighbor of ours heard my regular shouts and broke the door one afternoon. He was home on leave and heard me struggling as usual.
The story broke out to the whole community and everyone had their fair share of commentary. We had to leave the vicinity.

My mother was so sorry. She promised to reduce her working hours.
I was placed under observation in the hospital and given millions of tests and injections.
I had psychological help and a lot of counseling to help me out of the trauma. I'm 20 years old now. 7 years after the incident and I'm not the Veronica I was. I know better and I'm stronger. And even if my past has ghosts, they are completely harmless.
*****Story by Ayegba ENE,  400level Psychology, OAU*******

THERE IS NEED CRYING OVER SPLIT MILK. SINCE YOU CANT CHANGE THE PAST,  THE ONLY OPTION YOU HAVE IS TO FORGE AHEAD WITH LIFE AND STRIVE NOT TO MAKE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN. DONT ALLOW THE MISTAKE/SORROW OF THE PAST ROB YOU OF THE JOY OF TOMORROW.
*Always Remember You Can Preach A Better Gospel With The Way You Live Your Life Than With Your Lips*
Hope you enjoyed the story  and was able to learn something.  Don't forget to drop your comments and suggestions. Till we come your way again next week.
#HarmlessGhostOfMyPast
#MovingForward
#NoLookingBack
#YouthKonnect

Power of the Mind

The Taxi driver showed me a big black welt on his neck. It ran around his neck. Blueish black, Swollen. He told me that in October he had gone to a real estate agency on Allen Avenue to pay for six plots of land in Lekki EPZ zone. Twenty four million plus naira inclusive of all charges. It was the balance of the money he had saved during three years stay in Germany and had brought back with him. He had imported five cars from Germany into Nigeria. He gave his parents one. His wife the other. Sold two. And was driving one. 

He had paid for two years rent for his house in Surulere and furnished it. Bought a piece of land in his village in the East which he was still developing. And hurriedly done the traditional and white wedding to his Igbo bride who had waited for him during his stay in Germany. The purchasing of the land at the Lekki EPZ zone was a long term investment for him. While in Germany he had got into a partnership with a manufacturing company and was going to build a factory on the land for the fabrication and assemblage of solar power equipments using their propietary technology. He had inspected the land. Met with the Baale and the Omo-oniles. Got the C of O. Took it to the local government and the land registration offices. and their authenticity was confirmed. Then he had in the first week of last month he had paid the money into the accounts of the real estate company and promptly on the advise of his wife, he had mobilised builders and gone to the land to fence it in order to ward away trespassers. 

At the site as they began work, some of the Omo- Oniles who he had never seen had accosted them and an argument had ensued when they told them that the plots of land belonged to three other individuals collectively. He protested and marched with them to the Baale to make his case. On getting there, the Baale he saw was different from the Baale he had seen the first time he visited the palace. Another bout of arguments that took hours, during which the other owners of the land were summoned. They showed him their C of Os.  Not believing the authenticity of their documents they all went with him to the local government and land registration offices where he once again met different people from the ones he had met when he first came there. 

The verdict. His documents were fake. Theirs were genuine. Beside himself in shock, he had driven to the real estate agent office on Allen Avenue. It was closed. The agency had packed up and left. The guards at the bank next to the building told him that they had moved out at night. The Taxi driver said that as he heard the words from the guards, he actually felt a dark cloud envelope him and a deep sadness seize him. He had never felt such sadness before. Never felt such sense of hopelessness. He called the real estate agent. It rang unaswered thrice. And then it was switched off. He tried repeatedly and got the same, he felt the grip of sorrow tighten around him. And it was in its grip he had driven home that afternoon, his heart drumming in his ears. The house was empty since his wife was at work. He sat in the living room and stared at the television which was not turned on.

 All he could see was himself working so hard in Germany to save the money he had just lost. The questions rained on him. How would he complete the house in the village? How would he raise the money for the factory? What will he tell his business partners in Germany who had already advanced him a credit facility and were sending him a shipment of the equipments he will need to set up the factory? What will he tell his Uncle who had collected a high interest loan on his behalf from his bank to finance the building of the factory itself? How would he take care of his new wife? How would he take care of his aged parents? He said the more he thought the more he couldn't think. And all he heard clearly and distinctly as though someone was talking to him were the words; "There is no hope. No need to stress yourself again. End it all. Kill yourself. End your suffering. God understands. God knows you have tried.  It is easier to die than live through this suffering. 

There is no way you can raise that money again.  You see you don't even have the complete loan itself even if you return it. Kill yourself. Kill yourself. Kill yourself. Kill yourself. Kill yourself." He did not know when he took his belt, made a loop, tie the end without the buckle on the metal railing of the staircase that led to the upstairs bedroom of the duplex in which he lived. Pull up one of the dining room chairs close to the staircase, climb on it, put the loop around his neck. He said a short prayer and begged God to forgive him and receive his soul. Then he kicked the chair out from underneath his feet and his weight dropped making the loop tighten around his neck. The suddenness shocked him. And even without thinking he had his hands grabbing for the tight belt around his neck. He tried to breathe. With every draw of air the belt squeezed tighter. His throat and his nostrils were on fire. There was a ringing in his ear which grew louder with every passing second. He felt his lungs catch fire and his windpipe begin to break. His vision began to blur as darkness rushed towards him. But he didn't see his life flash back as he had thought he would based on the stories he had heard. Instead he felt an undescribable urge to survive. 

To fight for his life. He tried to grab hold of the railing behind him so that he could pull himself up and his feet could find a footing on the staircase but his hands couldn't find anything as it flaying around in confusion and alarm. It was then he felt the saliva pulling in his mouth. It was like a river. It was rushing. His strength was failing him. He could feel his mind telling his body to fight but he could feel the power fade out of his body and his hands and feet sagging towards the ground. And as the darkness rushed over him, and he felt a terrible coldness seize him, the last conscious thought he had was that he had forgotten to write a note to his wife. When he opened his eyes, later that day, the first thing he saw was the white ceiling of the clinic and the first thing he felt was the sweat on his face. 

For a moment he was disoriented and couldn't remember who he was, where he was or why he was there. Then he heard voices. A lot of voices. And in that din, he heard the voice of his wife. Shrill with fear as she asked a question.  "God please o! You saved me from being a widow, don't punish me now with a husband in coma. Help your daughter in the name of your son Jesus!" His wive's voice had a sing song to it when she prayed which usually made him laugh. It was as though she was singing while laughing and jumping up and down on the same spot. "We are lucky the belt broke in time for him to start breathing on his own accord,if not…It was then he called out her name. And the hospital room exploded in joy. 

The week that followed was tough. His wife after her joy had subsided was furious at him. She accused him of not loving her at all. His parents and his younger sister journeyed down from the East and joined in the angry outburst. How could There will be no one to take care of them? He didn't even bother to leave behind a male child. It rained down on him like a storm. And all he could say was a remorseful sorry. But it was the doctor who intervened and urged them to sheath their swords, before he told them that the real estate agent could be caught. He knew someone at Lion building in Lagos Island who had experience with matters like that and who was an expert in recovering stolen funds. His parents insisted that the doctor give him time to heal before anyone went in search of the real estate agent, but when they heard the amount of money involved they changed their tune. So the contact was called. He offered to help but needed a mobilisation of N250,000. 

It was his wife who offered to bring the money. Like her husband she was a saver too. The money was given to the contact, who then requested for the n the number of the real estate agent and the account number the money was paid into and  it was given.Meanwhile the bank the 3money was paid into was contacted. It was ascertained that the money was still in the account. A police order for a hold on the money was forwarded to bank. The bank complied. The girls were interrogated. They got the information needed,including the manager’s address.They arrived at his house at Magodo 5.30 a.m in  the morning. They bursted the doors and met him sleeping in bed with a girlfriend. Both naked.  

They were  arrested. And by noon of the same day, the money was transferred back to the account.the Taxi driver. He gave the contact an extra N500,000 in gratitude for christmas and another N500,000 which he had requested for his contacts at the banks and the telecom companies. It had taken the contact four days to recover the funds. And the Taxify driver had been discharged a fifteen days after his admission when his lungs, throat and his right sprained ankle had sufficiently healed. The Taxi driver looked over at me as I sat quietly listening to his story. "You never know the value of life until you nearly lose it. 

 Pray you never experience something that can break your spirit, because this your mind, you can never trust it. It can lie to you just like that and just like that it can save you. It can confuse you and it can make things so clear to you, you will be amazed. So you have to be careful when you choose to listen to it.  Just pray that you never get to that point where you are at the mercy of your mind. Because what it can make you do, hmmmm..." And he fell silent. We drove on. After a while I asked him. "Are you still going to buy another land for the factory for the Solar project?" "Me?" He laughed for a while before he continued. What do I need all that stress for? I have told my uncle to return the loan.

 I paid back the part I gave him as his cut. Paid the interest that had already accumulated. I told the Germans thank you very much but I am not interested anymore. I paid back the shipping charges and penalties for breaching the contract. I still have like a couple of millions in my account. I am waiting for my wife to get her papers and we are taking off back to germany. We get there. She gets a job, I get a job. We make enough to raise a family, travel on holidays, live life. Man, all these wanting to build empires and acquire money you can't spend cos its too much doesn't mean anything. If you experience the loneliness of death you will understand what I am saying. Vanity upon vanity man, all is vanity.Just be happy, show love, experience the world, earn just enough to make you comfortable, be contented and keep your mind in check." Then he laughed again.  I tell you. 

The devil is right there in you. He is your mind. If you are looking for salvation, then conquer your mind.  I was looking at him silently,There was a transcendental peace on his face as he kept shaking his head and laughing with such pure happiness, it was evident that to him, he had found out the greatest secret in existence. I couldn't help but smile with him.
*******Oke Janet 200level Law, OAU**********

Hope you enjoyed the story and was able to learn something. Don't forget to drop your comments and suggestions, they will be hight appreciated. See you next week. 

YOUTHFUL AIM

Umbilical Branch; Saving the youth.

There were five of us who grew up in the same neighborhood people said our births were divinely orchestrated for love we shared love like children from the same umbilical branch. We shared our thoughts and every dream. Our families weren't too wealthy either. We would most times go help our mothers trade in the market. To enable them make great sales. We saw that part, yes that part of life where the desire to meet every days struggle was our aim. I prayed that I would be a great lawyer to help our neighborhood The other girls had their yet unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. Just within a little span of years, Grace's aunt came down from the west with the aim of training Grace at the school they had there. We cried the sisterly cries and gave her our pieces of advice, then she left for greener pastures.

For the problems indigent living cost us, we have no means to contact Grace. Amara met a foolish old man who lives three blocks. Well, there is no news other than the fact that the old man got her pregnant from here usual hawking exercises. Did I say the man was blind in one eye? Well, he was actually a one eyed foolish old man who knew nothing but  ladies skirt's. I don't blame him much; since Amara had chosen to open  her legs for his seed, who then was I to tell her to abate the already produced Fruit. That was just how Amara got entwined maritally to the old one eyed.

On one of the occasions, Chioma and myself had gone to hawk oranges that were peeled by our mothers. We got to a lone street. Distracted by Chioma's  wonderful well crafted gist, we lost every bit of caution. We paid no attention to the lion's territory which we had just walked into. We were both called into their house to render sales. Within seconds, the men grabbed us into the large house. Our trays of oranges had fallen from our heads with our oranges scattered all over the place. My eyes were tied. I was in a dark room. I saw nothing. Perceived nothing. I only heard sounds of tears which belonged to Chioma. Her tears were flowing from her dry throat. Then I started to scream; asking them to leave her alone and stop hurting her. I could not tell what brought the tears but I felt something evil had befallen

us. Who would know we came her only to hawk our lives. Just then I heard his voice saying

"It's done", " bring out the other one". Cold chills ran down my spine. My heart raced skipping beats. My young body shivered. I could hear my own fearful breathes. My fingers trembled.

I touched my legs only to discover they were tied together with a strong rope. Cold from abyss had befallen me. Fear!!! Hot tears kept rolling down my cheeks uncontrollably. Am I doomed? The door handle creaked. The hinges gave way. The door knob slowly turned without making any sound. Then I heard him say come out quickly. Run for your life. Do not look back. Never come back. The spirit of your friend beckoned to me to rescue you. Where is Chioma? I asked, she is the new guest in our land. The land. Yes! Land of those forcefully .

I ran. I was lost. I was in a lone road. My race never stopped. I saw a young boy with a Barrow. I pleaded with him to carry me in it to the main road. Seeing my feet were bleeding. He aided me. I got to that junction of life and death. Then I ran like a wind in a chase. I got to the gate of my house. My mama saw me and rushed saying they have been searching for me for seven days. Tears rolled down my mama's cheeks. I saw Chioma's mother rush towards me asking after Chioma. My spirit left my body. She, Chioma was gone for life.

That day I saw them come into the street seeking for youths, the notion behind the search for the youths were far beyond my knowledge. Our sisterly world was broken with only Oge and myself hanging strongly unto the umbilical branch. Our time of mourning was finally over. It was just the two of us. The men approached us asking us various future-revealing questions. During the interviews conducted by the men who had come into our street, I was asked; “who would you want to become after now”? then answer came; I would want to become a lawyer, to fight for the streets rights, seek for the people who killed Chioma my friend and bring them to justice…I didn’t know how long I had sobbed until he said, we will help this one. The interview was over. The man who had interviewed me followed me home to meet with my parents that evening. I did not know what they had discussed. All I could fathom was the outcome for I was told to go and pack my belongings. I shared few good bye moments with my parents and then I left with him. Unfortunately, I couldn’t bid Oge farewell because there wasn’t time for that.

My lifes’ journey had officially started. I had been enrolled in this school. Everything was different and so new to me. But I was determined to attain my goals. My perspectives had changed. My training was not so smooth yet I learned even harder and better. I was awesome. My handler, Mr. Martins had me going. I was fast. I was sound. The world of academics was highly favourable to me. After my years of unstoppable training, I was called and enrolled into the countrys’ Bar Association. I was ready. Ready to face the odds of life.

I was back to the streets to find Oge but she's was no more. The story said Oge (the deceased) had accepted  the proposal of the leader  of the worst gang in the streets. After a deadly operation  that took the lives of the gang members, Oge herself  didn't  survive  the shots that came upon her  at the night of the blood gush.  I was alone again  but this time,  I swore to aid every youth in the streets. Many enrolled in different  disciplines  while the rest learnt different facets of trade.  The streets; no my streets were no longer known by the  terrible deeds the youths did. The upcoming  generation  are successors of us, our positivity  and our  workings. 

So I thought to myself, if Grace never left for greener pastures, if Amara never married  the one eyed old man, If Chioma and I never went hawking on that day she would  have still been alive, If I hadn't met with the interviewers, if I never studied  Law,  if Oge never got into that relationship that claimed her life, she would have still been alive. The  ifs  still counts but  the streets might never remember that I was one amongst the umbilical branch. The tree which  housed the umbilical branch has fallen. Struggle begets gain I must say. 

***Precious Eminent ***

Thank you for taking your time to read this piece, hope you enjoyed it and was able to learn something from it.  Don't forget to drop your comments and suggestions.  See you next week Wednesday. Have a lovely week.......

FRIENDS

STORY ONE
I wish I had never met Kelly. I curse the day I set my eyes on her. These were the words of Mary in her sick bed. Picture of her past life became vivid in her mind; her notorious & inglorious friendship with Kelly who introduced her & urged her into all sorts of shameful lifestyles all in the name of freedom & campus enjoyment.
Kelly’s sweet tongues had led her gradually deeper & deeper into the cursed river of Vanity as their friendship deepens. Mary initially was a good girl from a Christian background & was bought up properly her parents, but her friendship with Kelly destroyed; starting with her little prod to have sex with her boyfriend all in the name of love, to constant nightclubbing; irregular attendance to class just to mention a few. She cannot remember the number of men she had slept with nor the numbers of abortions she has carried out. What seemed so pleasurable & good an ultimate enjoyment and freedom in campus has left her empty , now she cannot conceive again because her womb has been destroyed ; worse still she is HIV positive.
All her dreams of becoming a lawyer had been shattered. “ Kelly may your soul be damned in hell” she muttered as she committed suicide. If Mary had known she wouldn’t have been friends with Kelly. “ had I known I would have not listened  to Kelly”

STORY TWO
Victor looked at the board, tears rolled down his eyes “not again” he said to himself. He had had another F , altogether making it 4 F's he had had this semester out of 7 courses. His F's started to reduce the moment he became friends with Mike. Mike was a brilliant boy who was humble & ready to teach anybody that comes to him for assistance.
Victor’s friendship with Mike was like a dream come true for Victor. Mike was always teaching Victor after each lectures and during free periods, Mike was always forcing Victor to the library; even at night he would wake him up to read for at least 2hours before sleeping.
Victor started to see changes in his results. His Fs became reduced and his B's and C's increased. He really enjoyed his friendship with Mike. “ God bless Mike for becoming my friend & God bless the day we became friends”. This were the words Mike muttered as he checked his result in the board he which he had had a B.

Conclusion
According to the two stories, your friends can either make you or mar you. The consequences of bad friendship is that they will lead you to no good but destruction. Don’t just make friends with everybody, intact not everybody can be your friend, some should just remain as aquitances. Choose friends that that is able to influence your life positively “ before you ending up saying “ had I kniwn” like Mary.
I love all my friends because they have influenced me positively especially those reading this. Don’t forget to drop your Comments, Suggestions & Reply.
Always remember – DONT DO THING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE DOING THEM, KEEP YOUR HEAD WHEN OTHERS ARE LOSING THIERS.

Character is Everything

I've been through a lot. I can't even begin to explain everything.  I was warned.  On several occasions,  I paid no heed. I thought I knew it all but how could I have known i was headed towards destruction 

  My name is Cindy. I'm  beautiful by all standards. I was always top of my class and no one could hold a candle to me. People complained about my pride and lack of manners. To me I was just a classy, educated girl who needed no advice from anyone. I never hesitates to give anyone that crossed my way a piece of my mind, I just say it 'as e dey hot' I saw myself as being candid. 

  "Please can you direct me to UBA? " A young lady asked me on a sunny afternoon.  I was desperately trying to get away from the Sun and to my class. It was a really annoying question to hear and I immediately fired back at her " sister, you are in the university.  Even if you are not a student and can't use your brain at least use your eyes" The light skinned lady stared cluelessly at me. Wondering what she said that deserved such rudeness. She obviously didn't know me and I was in no mood to enlighten her. " didn't you see the area allocated for banks on your way to this place from your obviously undiscovered village?" Her eyes wide in shock, she took several steps backwards and fled. I didn't bother thinking twice about her. I had a class to rush too. 

   I had few friends and they often complained.  They got fewer each day as they couldn't cope with my outspoken nature and attitude. I had one who stuck with me though.  Harriet.

Harriet never stopped warning me about my behaviour but she only got the success akin to one pouring water on a rock.. 

   How did I get to the point of no return.? What made me realize I had lived badly? When did the scales fall off my eyes?

" I'm sorry, we have no place for you In this organization anymore" I stood looking at him. Unaware of the tears that streamed down my face, my quivering lips or my look of pure rejection. For once, words failed me. The shocking statement was made by the managing director of the Firm I worked for. Contrary to what I'm sure you'd expect,  I finished school with a first class and got  a good job. No man wanted to have a long term relationship with Me. As a career woman, it didn't bother me. I couldn't hide my true personality in my place of work. I was a turn at. My underlings had nothing but hatred for me. To me it was pure jealousy.  My parents could hardly correct my behaviour. Of course I paid the bill's. Been doing so since my university days. I was comfortable by all measures. I'd risen to the top of my firm hoping to make senior partner In a few months.  

       " You are a really goodlooking young lady do you work here ?" I turned in the direction of the voice. Standing beside me in the elevator was an old man. White hair all over.  Dressed in a simple attire. I chose not to honour him with a reply. I didn't want him giving me any disease he was probably dying of. " young lady, did you not hear me? " he earnestly asked. " other people in the elevator who knew me were already making strange noises and giving me strange looks."Grandpa. I refused to answer you because i didn't want to waste my breath. But it seems you really need to be put In your place. You are Asking if i work here, let me inform you that I'm on my way to becoming a senior partner. What is wrong with you ok people who won't mind their business" Everyone gasped. Oblivious to the look of embarrassment and anger on the old man's face I continued. " Yes i know I'm good looking. Yes i work here. Kindly keep your mouth that has never seen a toothbrush closed to avoid passing on a disease you are possibly duping from. I know you are going to beg. Make sure you do not cross my floor.  Shameless old coot. " I stormed out of the elevator to my office. 

           And that's how I got summoned for a board meeting. Asking myself why I wasn't preinformed and thinking I'd be made partner at the meeting, I anticipated my crown of glory. As I got to the conference room. I saw all the staff present.  It was so surprising.  Everyone looked at me as I walked in, in amazement and jealousy I thought. All too soon I heard a strong  baritone voice I thought sounded too familiar.  It was the elevator man. " ..... she is therefore sacked and relieved of all benefits and duties" I couldn't believe it.  Mr Wright the founder of the Firm. He had travelled for over 10 years for research purposes.  I didn't recognize him, I didn't know him, I'd never met him before that day. I immediately fell to my knees . Begging was my last resort.  But he paid me no mind. Everyone jeered at me. Took pictures of my tears stricken face. 

  His voice resounded"Character is everything.  You spoke to me with so much disrespect. I was ashamed for your parents.  I can't allow you continue in this firm. Not even one single person here supported you. Kindly go home"

    Flashes of my past ran through my brain. Even as security ushered out. I had lost my job, my pride and security.  I was at point zero. Square one. I could do nothing more than agree 

to two things. One, Karma hit hard... two, character Is everything.

*Thank you for taking your time to read. Don't forget to drop your comments, feedbacks and suggestions. ONE LOVE*

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