Gabrielle slept like a baby after her matriculation. She was just so tired that she almost forgot that it was Monday already. No one had ever talked to her since she moved in. It was as if they were waiting for her to settle down before including her in their games.
"Good morning Pa Uzo." Gabrielle greeted the caretaker. His first daughter's name was Uzo, so the people who lived in the lodge called him 'Pa Uzo', which means Uzo's father.
"Good morning Angel, I hope you slept well?" the caretaker asked with a broad smile, exposing his decayed teeth. Gabrielle smiled back at him.
"Yes, I slept well, but the switches are not working so I could not use my standing fan," Gabrielle responded.
"I'm sure I fixed everything before you moved in, but don't worry I will get an electrician that will fix it for you. Just give me one hundred and fifty rand."
Gabrielle entered her room, she counted out one hundred and fifty rand from the money her sister gave her. She gave the money to the caretaker who was waiting for her. The caretaker stared at her admiringly and left. A boy came out of room four and followed the caretaker.
"Mr caretaker! Emma called with a deep voice, adjusting his boxers. The caretaker recognized his voice and began to hail him.
"So if I no come out, you for carrying my work give another person huh? Emma asked with broken English.
"Emmanco P! The caretaker continued hailing.
"I was heading to your room before you called me," The caretaker lied to save himself.
"Give me the money before I forget am for your face now," Emma shouted with an open palm. The caretaker handed the money to him.
"How many switches do you wan make I mend for am?"
"Just two."
"Two switches na im you dey give me one five?
A beg go tell her to say her money na three kpa!" Emma said.
"Emmanco P! Just do the work, I will give you another one hundred and fifty rand in the evening to make it three hundred, " the caretaker assured him.
"See no just try ya self oo till evening na."
It was already 4:00 pm, and the electrician had not yet fixed Gabrielle's switch. She came out of her room and walked straight to the caretaker's room, but he was not at home. Just as she was about to enter her room, she saw the caretaker entering the lodge's gate. She walked up to him.
"Pa Uzo, I'm yet to see the electrician," Gabrielle said, frowning a bit.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" The caretaker asked.
"Boy...what...? I'm talking about the electrician that you promised to get for me."
"I will get you a boyfriend," he said.
"Pa Uzo, please I don't need a boyfriend, I need an electrician right now. "
"Where are you from?"
"Bedford," Gabrielle responded.
"Good I know a man, he is a builder, we go to work together and he is a native of Bedford too. I will invite him to come and see you," the caretaker said.
"Okay now, can we talk about the electrician?" Gabrielle asked.
"You see that boy over there?" He said, bringing his face closer to Gabrielle's face. Gabrielle could not stand the stench of alcohol oozing out from his breath. The caretaker pointed at some groups of boys that sat a few feet away. Gabrielle did not know the one he was referring to, however, she nodded her head as she could not breathe.
"The one on a red t-shirt, he is the electrician, go and meet him." The caretaker said and disappeared almost immediately.
Gabrielle waited until she gathered enough courage to meet the boys. The boys stopped what they were doing when they saw Gabrielle coming toward them. It was a total surprise for them except for Emma who already knew why she was coming.
"Well done!" Gabrielle waved at the guys.
"Please I need you to mend the switch now it's already late and I won't be around tomorrow," Gabrielle said. Emma kept quiet for a few seconds.
"Where are you going tomorrow?" Emma asked.
"I have lectures."
"Go to your room, I'm coming there now," Emma said calmly. Gabrielle left and walked straight to her room. She lay on her bed and slept off.
"Knock! Knock!"
Gabrielle was woken up by a knock on her door, which was followed by a male voice. She stood up from her bed and cast a glance at her wristwatch that was carefully placed on the small table beside her bed. She could not believe she had been sleeping for the past three hours.
"Knock! Knock!
The voice and the sound on her door came louder this time. She caressed her eyes and yawned.
"I'm coming," Gabrielle responded. She quickly put on something that covered her body properly before heading to the door.
She was taken aback by the presence of Emma who stood at the doorway, smiling seductively at her. Gabrielle looked at his back and saw all the boys in Bangkok lodge standing behind him with weeds on their lips. She was frightened by their presence, so she frowned.
"I'm here to fix your switches," Emma said, giving her a sensual smile.
"No! It's past 7 already, please come back tomorrow," Gabrielle said.
"You said you have lectures tomorrow, so let's do it now," Emma said in a lower tone.
Gabrielle was about to shut her door when Emma pushed her aside and entered the room. She stood still, while she left the door open. Emma sat down on her bed. He turned and saw Gabrielle still standing at the door.
"Come and sit down baby," Emma said, offering her a seat by his side.
"Please leave my room now," Gabrielle uttered politely.
"Come naa person no dey play with you?"
"For the last time, get out of my room now!" Gabrielle shouted.
"Which room? Emma stood up from the bed and took a few steps forward. " What would you do?"
"See make I tell you, na we get this lodge, you feel me? I say na we get this lodge!" Emma yelled at her.
"Babe, sit down, let me explain how things work for this lodge," Emma said with a calm voice, pointing at one of the chairs in her room.
"Baby, sit down, I won't bite you," Emma urged.
"What is your name?" Gabrielle asked politely.
"Sit down first!" Emma dragged her and sat her down on a chair forcefully and bolted the door.
"Emmanco 'P'! Emmanco 'P'!" All the occupants of Bangkok lodge chanted as he shut the door. Gabrielle realized she had to be diplomatic in dealing with Emma as none of the occupants was ready to come to her rescue. The caretaker's wife came outside, her face contorted with rage and fear. She knew Emma very well and what he was capable of doing. He was a very dangerous guy. Fear gripped Gabrielle, she remained on the chair with her gaze fixed on the stranger who had taken charge of her bed. "I'm not an electrician," Emma began. "My name is Emmanuel Paul, but my friends call me Emmanco P, the 'P' stands for Papa. I am the father of this lodge, the General Overseer. Na me dey enter the path of any girl wey enter this lodge first. Na because say I never cross ya path na im make all men just pipe low. Person don enter ya room? Emma asked. Gabrielle kept mute and continued staring at him. "You see that jubilation wey dey go on for outside? Na because I don enter, road don clear
"Agatha, please can I sleep for the night at your hostel?" Gabrielle pleaded after narrating what happened last night in her room. "Yes, but first you need to tell your sister what they did to you. Look at your lips, Gabrielle. " "I called her, but she was already on her way to Cape Town. I know my sister very well, if I had told her, she would have come back and I don't want that." "Gabby, what is wrong with you?" She offered to take you out of that lodge, but you declined. Now the game has started. Where do you intend to go from here?" Agatha asked "I want to get my pictures, then go home, cook, eat, bathe and then go to hall B for night class." " And then what?" "Sleep in your hostel if you permit me." "Let's get the picture first," Agatha said. The two girls left in search of the Political Science department. Mike told Gabrielle to meet him at his department for her pictures. The girls were not yet familiar with the departments. The departmental blocks look the sa
The twenty-five-year-old Brian Moses, popularly known as Mangasi is the only son of a widow. He has three sisters. His father died when his mother gave birth to his youngest sister. Coming from a very poor background, Brian had no formal education. He quit school and went into building houses so he could support his family and pay his sisters' school fees. He was the baddest boy in town. He can fight and defeat any who throws taunts at him. Students who knew him very well were scared of him. Just like some students like football, basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis and different kinds of games. Manga liked to fight and watch people that are fighting. He never hesitated to run to the rescue of young girls and save them from bullies. Brian hates oppressors of the innocent and would always make his voice heard. He had no girlfriend because he did not believe in love. He thought love is the language of lazy men. He engaged the services of hawkers whenever he wanted to feel like a
Gabrielle quickly removed his hand off her neck immediately after they had gone out of sight. Brian put his hand back in his pocket as they walk silently to an eatery. He ordered two plates of food and drinks. Their order was carefully set on their table. Gabrielle was very hungry so she ate hurriedly. "You need more food?" he asked. Gabrielle nodded her head. He placed another order and she was served again. "I will be outside, I need to smoke." Brian stood up from his chair. "You smoke?" Gabrielle asked. "Isn't it obvious? I am proudly a smoker." Gabrielle tilted her brows and focused on her food. It was none of her business anyway. Brian was not even a friend to her. He was just helping her overcome the bad boys in her lodge until she moved out. Brian walked up to a provision store across the road and took fresh menthol sweets to freshen his breath. Gabrielle came out, she did not see him. She stood still and was looking around. "Smallie," Mike called from behind. Ga
Gabrielle climbed her bed after zipping herself up in a comfy nightgown. She drew her duvet up to her chest. Brian continued staring into space. Plotting how to get her out of the lodge tomorrow. "Please, leave the lights on, I hate darkness," Gabrielle said. There was no response from Brian. He doesn't sleep with the light on. Gabrielle relaxed her head on her pillow and soon hit the sack. Brian took one of her pillows and lay on the floor with his face up. He slept off too and began to snore. The noise could not stop Gabrielle from sleeping because she did not sleep well last night. Gabrielle woke up in the morning and was surprised he lay on the floor without his shirt. The night was miserably cold. A cold chill crept up her spine, raising the hair on the back of her neck. Gabrielle sat on her bed and stared at him with empathy. "Brian...Brian... Wake up, it's morning already," Gabrielle called. "I have been awake. Gabby you need to bathe now. I need to be at one of our bui
Gabrielle and her friend entered the room and were very scared. "Agatha, I would have waited for Brian. Coming here was your idea." "Relax, Gabby, probably someone reported what they did to you to a relevant authority. Calm down!" Agatha said. Gabrielle sat on her bed and waited impatiently. She was panic-stricken when she heard the man's voice moving closer to her room. She eavesdropped and found out he was shouting at the girls in room four. Probably, he is the owner of the lodge. She began to relax and laugh. "I think he is the lodge owner," Gabrielle murmured. Agatha smiled. "You can ask him to refund you now. He is rich, he can do it." "Brian, the guy I told you about said he has about ten agents that would help me and get a decent lodge. I'm going to move into a new lodge today," Gabrielle grinned and danced for joy. A soft knock came on her door. She opened the door slowly. The quinquagenarian and the caretaker stood there with a register. The man looked at her and
Gabrielle stood up and walked out of the eatery. Brian followed her. "Gabby, you need to trust me, would you?" Brian asked. Gabrielle shook her head. "He used my money and rewarded me with a bodyguard. I'm going there now!" Gabrielle tried to go, Brian laughed and pulled her back. "Listen, Gabby, you must call your sister tomorrow and tell her everything. Come with me," he said. "To where?" Gabrielle asked. "My house, to change my clothes. You said I'm smelling awhile ago." Gabrielle looked around and hesitated. "Go, I'll wait here." Gabrielle walked back to the eatery and sat down. Brian shrugged his shoulders and began to walk in the direction of his house. Gabrielle came out and ran after him. He stood still and waited when he saw her coming. Gabrielle was expecting him to ask why she changed her mind. He never did. "I saw one of my lodge mates." "Oh, okay." They walked silently through a lonely path and got to his house. It was an old building. The building had
"Oh my God, Smallie, you can't live here. Give me Danielle's phone number, I need to call her right away." Mike said. "Don't worry, we are working towards that already. Thank you very much for your concern." Gabrielle gestured him to the door. Mike stood up and walked tiredly. He knew Bangkok lodge very well and what the occupants could do. He looked around the lodge when he came out of Gabrielle's room, shook his head before proceeding to the entrance. "Is he your boyfriend?" Brian asked and opened his eyes. He was surprised she was unclad. She was relaxed as though the person lying on the floor was a girl. He quickly shut his eyes back and threw his head away. Gabrielle reached for a white towel on her cloth hanger and wrapped it around her waist, ready for a bath. "He is not my boyfriend. He is just a friend. I accepted his hands of friendship yesterday and he promised not to go beyond friendship," Gabrielle explained. "He is a good guy, but you need to be careful with hi
Gabrielle was awoken by the constant buzzing of her phone. She sighed and rolled over. Her husband traveled out of the country last week and they were expecting him that day. He pulled the phone closer and stared at the caller, it was Agatha, her best friend. She reluctantly picked up the call. Agatha had never failed to call her since she put to bed six weeks ago. "Gabby, your baby's picture is garnering attention on social media. You need to add your maiden name to your name. Felicia…you remember her right?" Agatha asked. "Yes," Gabrielle responded with a low tone. She could not believe her friend woke her up because of her baby's pictures she uploaded on social media. "She said our friends have a group chat but no one knows your whereabouts. Please add your maiden so they will find you. Do it now and call me back," Agatha said and hung up. Gabrielle added her maiden name just as her friend suggested and tossed the phone aside. She stood up and checked the time, it was a few mi
Brian, Gabrielle, and their son spent the week having fun and playing games around the house and in the garden. Rita had an issue with her husband, she intended to stay with her brother for a while. However, she packed her things and returned to her husband to give them space. Brian and Gabrielle's love for each other made her so jealous. The little Brian was lovable and fun to play with. His father did not stop carrying him around. He filled the house with beautiful toys for him. He kept appreciating Gabrielle for not considering abortion. On Monday morning, Brian and Gabrielle were still in bed. None of them felt like going to work. She rolled out of the bed weakly and Brian pulled her back. "Where are you off to?" "To the office""No, you need some days off and plan your birthday which falls on Saturday. Let's give your people a little surprise."Gabrielle quickly put her palm on her lips. She couldn't believe Brian remembered her birthday. She didn't remember telling him anyt
"Do you remember the first day we met?" Brian asked, staring into her eyes. Gabrielle nodded with a smile. "I fell in love with you that day, but I felt we will never be together. Mike was very smart and intelligent. He figured out I'm in love with you and called me dateless love.""Dateless as in timeless?""He meant I would never date you. You are beyond my league.""I never knew how much I loved you until I watched the cops take you away. My heart broke into pieces. I cried, but you didn't notice. "I did and I felt bad. I would have avoided the fight.""What happened when you left?" Gabrielle asked. "I was detained and set free after some days. I had no money to clear the outrageous hospital bills Mike's family gave me, I had to sell the land. I regretted not selling it earlier and established myself. When I remembered the business I ventured into was your idea, I knew everything happened at the right time. I wouldn't have invested the money wisely if I hadn't met you.""Which i
Mr. Ruben walked into Brian's office when he closed work for the day. He saw their boss leaning on his desk and Gabrielle crouching on his side. He frowned but tried to conceal his disappointment. He wanted Gabrielle desperately. "Sir, here are the account details you requested," he said dropping a file on the desk and walking slowly away. "Momi, let's go home," he muttered, planting a kiss on her forehead. Gabrielle picked up her handbag and began to leave the office. Brian held her hand. "We are going out together," he grinned. His seductive smile hadn't changed a bit "Gabby, you are extremely persistent, I'm not letting you out of my sight." Brian held her hand as he walked to his car. The company's chauffeur had positioned the car, waiting for him. "I want to get my bag.""Where is it?" He asked. "At the logistics office.""We are going to pick it up on our way out. Hop in Let's go."Rita entered the passenger's side, Brian and Gabrielle entered the rear side. Brian pulled Ga
Gabrielle alighted hurriedly when the cab she boarded pulled over in front of her apartment. She did want Brian to come after her. She ignored all the surprised eyes that were staring at her and began to pack a few of her and her baby's things. "Talk to me, Gabby, what happened?" Agatha held her bag. "Agatha, please…""Do you think I'll let you walk out of that door without telling me what happened?" Agatha asked. Gabrielle took the baby and began to dress him up. "I saw his father," she whimpered. "I'm booking a same-day flight to Pretoria. Phillip has been begging me to marry him, I think I'm ready to marry him," Gabrielle said. "Whose father?" Agatha asked. "Brian's father.""Whoo!" Agatha screamed happily. "Finally!" Agatha continued screaming. Gabrielle ignored her and lifted her baby and began to walk towards the door. "Wai..wai…wait! Are you running away from the man you have been searching for for the past two years? You are so difficult Gabrielle!" "He is married an
Gabrielle went to work very early the next day, ready for her boss. She switched her system on and began to work. Two company security men walked into her office without knocking. Gabrielle shot them a cold stare and understood something was amiss. "You are invited to a disciplinary hearing in the boss's office," they announced. Gabrielle stood up immediately and followed them. The members of the board were already there waiting for her. She greeted them and gestured to a chair. Mr. Ruben listed all the policies she had violated so far, and none of them were true. Gabrielle tried to defend herself, but the board members did not believe her. She was given a six months suspension without salary. According to the board members, the company was newly established and couldn't afford to pay workers who were suspended. Gabrielle picked up her things and left the company with tears in her eyes. Six months of living without a monthly salary was very difficult for Gabrielle and her son. P
Gabrielle and Phillip had been knocking on the main gate of their house, but no one responded. She sat down at the foot of the gate and continued dialing her brother's number. "Joe, open the gate, I have been knocking for ages. Gabrielle said as soon as her brother picked up the phone. "Dad is with the key. There is nothing I can do," Joe whimpered. "Why are you whimpering, is he there?" Gabrielle asked. "Yes""Move away from there and talk to me.""Gabby, there is nothing I can do. He is with the key and he knows you are knocking.""Where does he expect me to go?""To hell!" Mr. Williams roared and the call disconnected. Gabrielle's frustration was apparent. She couldn't believe her family had decided to throw away the baby and the bathing water. Her father did not care about safety anymore. "Come with me, I'll bring you back tomorrow morning," Phillip said, squatting before her. Gabrielle nodded and stood up. She had no options, so she stood and walked towards the car. The ne
"Good evening, dad," Gabrielle whimpered when she got closer to her dad. Mr. Williams ignored her and fixed his eyes on a newspaper he was reading. Gabrielle stood still and waited for his response, but all to no avail. Since the news of her pregnancy got to all the members of the family, they had been treating her like an outcast who brought nothing but a disgrace to her family. Her mom hardly responded to her greetings too. She wanted to rent an apartment and move out of her sister's house, but she did not have enough money to move.Gabrielle left her dad and walked into the building, wiping tears that were dripping through her eyes. Her younger brother screamed and gave her a warm embrace when she walked into the family's lounge. "Gabby, you took us unawares. Danielle called this afternoon, she never told us you were coming," Joseph, her immediate younger brother said with a smile. "I wanted to spend some time here, but with dad's attitude, I'm going to leave as soon as I'm thr
Mike took a deep breath as he began to dial the number. He was surprised when Agatha's name pop up. Mike looked at the phone number again, it was the same number he had been calling since he alighted from the school bus. He gave out a long sigh. He could not believe the caretaker sold Agatha's number to him for such an outrageous amount. Mike continued staring at the phone number written in Gabrielle's handwriting. He carefully folded the paper and dipped it into his pocket. "Hi, Mike," Agatha said as soon as she picked up the phone. "Is she there with you?" "No," Agatha muttered quietly. "She has gone. Did you forget the time I told you?" "No, but …never mind" "Mike we are friends, talk to me," Agatha said. Mike took a deep breath and rested his head on his palm. "Mike!""I had a little fight with Jane. She delayed me.""I'm so sorry. She gave the caretaker her phone number, I memorized it. I'm going to text it to you now.""Don't worry, she gave the caretaker your number. I'm