EnterTaME

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Sunday, May 3, 2020

GET ME PREGNANT! - Final episode!

*GET ME PREGNANT!*
      *Final episode!*


                                                        After God did not answer my prayers I totally backslided. Sally had three wonderful kids already and had since stopped giving birth. To help me overcome my frustration I started taking alcohol secretly. Alcohol could not suppress my depression anymore and I tried hard drugs. I became a professional adulteress not minding if my husband knew or not. In all these my husband was still faithful to God. He was always praying for me. Whenever I messed up myself, he will clean me up and get me to sleep. If you are looking for a Christian, Omeiza is one. I wanted God to judge me so that I can tell the whole world how unfair he is but his judgement tarried except that I had no womb and I could not conceive. For a long time I didn’t hear from Sally. That didn’t bother me anyway because anytime I hear from her it was one good news or the other. She seemed to be moving from glory to glory while I moved from shame to shame. I saw a post from one of our coursemates on Facebook of a friend who wedded at 42 and Sally was in the selfie, but Sally was really lean in the picture. I started making contacts on how to reach Sally, I needed to know what happened to her that she became this lean. In no time I got across to her. ‘Sally, what happened to you? I saw your picture on facebook and I was shocked that you had grown so lean.’ For almost forty seconds she didn’t say anything. ‘Sally are you there?’ ‘Yes Maryam, I have been sick but I am better now’, she replied. ‘I will need to come and see you.’ I promised to see her in two weeks. When I got to Sally’s place, she was leaner than what I saw on Facebook and I was afraid. My friend’s beautiful skin had shrunk badly with black spots all over her. As I was about screaming I saw a pack of retroviral drugs on her dinning table. ‘Sally you are positive?’ I asked in surprise. She bowed her face without saying a word. I knew she was HIV positive already. I became more scared but I had to encourage my friend. I hugged her and whispered to her ears “God will see you through”. I still had to pretend I was still a Christian but I had a sharp pain on my chest with a voice telling me “it would soon be your turn”. I tried to rebuke that voice but there wasn’t any inner impetus to do so. I wept bitterly as if I was weeping for my friend, but no, I was weeping for myself. I couldn’t stand what I saw so I left the following day. On my way back to Lokoja, ‘I kept having thoughts of accident. “If you die now where are you going to?” I asked myself. The Sally you have been using as yardstick to judge God is already paying for her sins, the voice kept talking to me. I was restless all through the journey. Maybe I am also HIV positive, I thought within me. Suddenly I noticed I have been foolish, I told God I was sorry. If you can give me another chance oh Lord I will serve you all the days of my life with or without a child. I got relieved as soon as I made that prayer. I arrived Lokoja safely. I knelt down before my husband and confessed all my sins before him, I wept and asked him for his forgiveness. He wept along with me but he felt very bad for the story he heard about me for the first time. I could read the handwriting in each drop of his tears. “I have forgiven you sweet heart, he lifted me up and hugged me tight for what seemed like hours. I wept the more while on his arm, my tears were tears of genuine repentance and regret. I became indebted to my husband for his patience and endurance. Since it was obvious I couldn’t get pregnant after my womb was removed, we adopted a boy of six months from the orphanage and named him Joseph. The day Joseph clocked one year I was confirmed to be seven weeks pregnant. How can a woman who has no womb be pregnant? Until my stomach started protruding I didn’t believe I was pregnant. This is the hand work of Jehovah overdo. On the 3rd of December I gave birth to a set of quadruplet, two boys and two girls. God wiped away my tears of many years. The chief medical director of the hospital was perplexed with the stark possibility of a woman who had no womb but was yet able to give birth not to one but four children at a time. He invited African Independent Television(AIT) to cover my story. This drew the attention of the First Lady of the state who paid us a visit at the hospital. She placed the four kids on scholarship up to university level. Many other families who watched the program on AIT paid us a visit and each of them came with huge gifts. In less than one week we became millionaires from the gifts we received from the general public. Who says God is not alive? Peter, Paul, Elizabeth and Esther will be two years in June. Praise God who turned my captivity around. For waiting mothers who are reading this story, don’t give up on God, don’t try alternative means, don’t be too desperate, don’t use anybody’s life as a standard for yours. God is not dull, he makes all things beautiful in his own time. This story is dedicated to all those who are waiting on the Lord for the fruit of the womb.  

*THE END*

GET ME PREGNANT! - Semi final

*GET ME PREGNANT!*
      *Semi final!*

                                                                   I was half conscious and half unconscious. I knew all the time he came on me but I couldn’t resist him or say anything. Was this what iya ibeji went through before having her twins? For the two weeks Prophet David took advantage of me. He gave me no breathing space day nor night. He will always sprinkle water on my private part before using me. My phone was taken away all through and switched off. I was to leave on Thursday, by Wednesday evening I was in full control of myself. ‘Where is my phone? I asked lady Stella. ‘Your phone will be given to you later tonight.’ When she brought my phone I quickly switched it on and I got more than ten SMS. Most of the messages were from my husband. While I was trying to go through the messages my phone rang, ‘Lo and behold, it was my husband, I didn’t pick as I had to think of a lie to tell him. He called again and I picked, ‘what happened my sweet heart?’ He asked anxiously. ‘My phone fell inside the three-seater sofa and I didn’t know it was switched off. I just discovered it today. It didn’t take him time to believe me. We talked at length and he narrated all his experience in Lagos. I will be back in a week’s time, he said and ended the call. Many things happened thereafter but after six months I was not pregnant. Iya ibeji kept encouraging me to be patient. She assured me I will be pregnant. My life became a mess – I started perceiving an offensive odour around my private part ever since I returned from Prophet David’s place. It came with itching and pain. I hid what I was going through from my husband but he noticed the odour and I guessed he couldn’t tell me. One year after, I was not pregnant. Sally was already pregnant with her second baby without stress. I told myself that if I didn’t get pregnant before she gave birth to her second baby I will denounce my faith in God. As far as i was concerned, it wasn’t worth it, serving God without anything to show for it. I had stopped observing my ovulation period because previous efforts had been fruitless. N600,000 had gone down the drain yet I couldn’t make trouble. Prophet David had abused me yet I had to remain mute. I had been battling with STDs I contacted from Prophet David but I couldn’t speak out. My salvation was already at stake, I couldn’t return back to God because I was angry with him for allowing me go through all these shameful and painful experiences. If God were human, I won’t forgive him. ‘Madam why did you wait for so long before coming to the hospital? The doctor asked me.  ..This is one of the dreaded STDs medical science has been battling with in recent times. I may have to refer you to a gynecologist for better attention. He wrote a short note on his complementary card and gave it to me to give to Dr Robert. He promised to call Dr Robert before I got there. “Madam, where is your husband? I can’t treat you until I see your husband or any representative of your family, Dr Robert told me. I was afraid my secret was about to be leaked out. This was the end of the road for me, I began to contemplate suicide, because I couldn’t face the shame. I refused to tell my husband until my condition grew worse. The odour became unbearable, I practically stank like a dead fowl. At this time my husband became bold enough to ask me why I was smelling. And without waiting for an answer, he said, ‘We will see the doctor tomorrow. Your wife is suffering from a chronic STD and it has affected her kidneys and her womb. If we don’t carry out a surgery on her in four days she may not be able to conceive again. My husband was shocked. ‘Doctor can we do the operation today?’ My husband asked, yes of course, if you are ready, the doctor told my husband. In less than thirty minutes I was wheeled to the theater for surgery. When I opened my eyes I saw my mom, our pastor and some brethren surrounded my bed. The way they all looked at me made me suspicious that something bad had happened. I was discharged but I kept seeing the doctor every week for check up. My journey of barrenness lasted for 14 years. All my friends and family connived not to tell me that my womb was removed during the operation in order to save my life. I knew this when I went for a check up in another hospital while my husband was away to Ghana. I have been without a womb for over ten years without knowing.  

What a life!? Patience is truly a great virtue!

Saturday, May 2, 2020

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 10

*GET ME🀏🍌 PREGNANT!*
   *10th episode*



I have made up my mind ma, I want to see Prophet David but I have some challenges ma.’ ‘What are the challenges? Don’t worry when we see in church tomorrow we will talk of the challenges. I am happy that you have finally made up your mind.’ She was so happy about my decision. My challenges are how to raise N600,000 and how to do all these without my husband knowledge. My husband was suspicious of my new relationship with iya ibeji because I have never told him anything about her nor the topic of our discussions yet we were always together after every of our services. I had to keep my husband waiting most times just to see iya ibeji. My husband could not hold his peace anymore because today’s discussion with Iya ibeji was just too long. I knew he will insist on knowing the subject of our discussion today so I started planning out lies before he confronted me. Just like I predicted, my husband insisted I must tell him what I have been discussing with Iya ibeji. Nothing serious, she has been encouraging me and praying along with us on the issue of my inability to conceive. He wasn’t convinced but he had to accept my explanation like that. All through the night I couldn’t sleep because of the terrible things iya ibeji suggested to me. How can I sleep with Chief Mike just for N600,000? Things I didn’t do while I was single, why I’m doing it now that I am married? This is pure adultery. But I needed the money to pay Prophet David. After all it is just one meeting with Chief Mike. I will do it, God has to forgive me. If he could forgive Sally for all the atrocities she committed why won’t he forgive me for just a one time adultery? Chief Mike is considerate for requesting just a one time meeting for N600,000. I made up my mind to do it. I had never seen Chief Mike before until iya ibeji took me to his guest house. He was an elderly man in his late 60s. He kept to his promise as he handed over a polythene bag containing N500 notes of N600,000 to me. We didn’t talk too much as it all sounded like a deal. Iya ibeji was glad when I came out of his room with the black polythene bag. ‘Congratulations, you will soon be a mother,’ she held my hand and we walked out of the guest house together. But I was really ashamed because all of chief’s staff who attended to us knew what I came for. A married woman for that matter. I had crossed the first hurdle, I have the money but how was I going to make it for the two weeks camping with prophet David without my husband’s knowledge? I kept the money with Iya ibeji because there was no how I could keep it without my husband discovering it. Two weeks after I got the money there was no idea of the type of lie I could tell my husband until he came home that day with a letter for a three weeks course in Port Harcourt. I was so happy because this came at the right time. My husband was perplexed with my reaction towards his course compared to when he was promoted. The day my husband left for Port Harcourt, I left for Abaji the following day. I made all payments and was given my room. It was room 5. I was there all alone until around 8pm when a lady knocked at my door, ‘who is there? I asked. ‘It’s me Stella.’ I headed towards the door since it was a lady’s voice. We greeted and she told me the lord Bishop will be seeing me by 9:45pm tonight and I should get set. I lost my peace after Stella told me Prophet David will be seeing me by 9:45pm. What exactly is he coming to do? I couldn’t eat the food they served me because of fear. But I had reached the point of no return. At exactly 9:45pm, there was a knock at my door and I knew it must be Prophet David but for courtesy sake I asked, who is there? It was Stella who responded, “the lord Bishop”. I opened the door as Stella led him in and took her leave. I couldn’t look at his face because I knew I was in for something dirty. He sat on the bed as he opened his bag and brought out a bottle water and stretched it to me, “take drink, this is the blood of my new covenant that was shed for you”. I know I normally hear this quotation whenever our pastor wants to serve us holy communion in church. I took the water and drank as he instructed. The next thing, he pulled of his clothes and was standing before me stark naked.  

What next? Isn't this going to be a wonderful prayer section?

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 9

*GET ME PREGNANT!*
   *9th Episode*

                                                        ‘Sir, this is the woman I told you about on phone, she has been married for a year without a child. Please kindly help her like you did for me sir.’ Iya ibeji pleaded with prophet David. ‘Have you told her the terms and conditions?’ ‘No sir, but I know she will cooperate because she needs a child desperately. I will excuse you now with her for further counseling.’ Iya ibeji stood up and was leaving me and prophet David alone in the room. I became afraid as she closed the door behind her. No prayers, no quoting of Bible, nothing religious at all. ‘Madam do you want to carry your baby or not?’ He repeated same question Iya ibeji asked me as we entered the hotel. ‘Yes sir I want to carry my baby,’ I replied with fear all over me. ‘How do you want it, a male or female, twins or triplets?’ I didn’t know the conditions but I quickly said triplets. ‘That’s good madam, give me your hand.’ I stretched out my hands towards him and he looked at my palm like a man reading something on it. After two minutes he released my hand and went back to his seat. Triplet is N600,000 with three weeks prayer camping. When you are ready you can inform iya ibeji. ‘You may go,’ he said. I took my bag and left his office in hurry to join Iya ibeji at the reception. ‘How did it go?’ She asked me. ‘Ma, I thought you said we are coming to see a prophet? This man in there is not a prophet of God. I didn’t see any Bible on his table neither did he offer a word of prayer. He charged me N600,000 for triplet with three weeks prayer camping. Ma, I doubt if I am interested, I am a Christian and I can’t do anything ungodly because I want children. I will wait on God, his time is the best.’ Where on earth will I get N600,000 when I have not started working? There’s no way I can ask even N100,000 from my husband without him investigating what I want to use it for. If I have to lie to him it must be a well planned lie. But I am a Christian, I can’t pay N600,000 just to have baby.’ But how long will I wait for God? In my tears I told God to prove himself within three months or else I will give prophet David’s proposal a trial. “If you are God and you don’t want me to go back to prophet David you must answer me within three months.” I gave God ultimatum. I became a chronic liar as I had to tell my husband many lies to cover up my visit to prophet David Evans. My husband must not know I visited a prophet without his consent, it will be a serious issue if he knows. My thoughts were divided, should I consider prophet David’s proposal or not? One month came and passed nothing happened. I made life really difficult for my husband within this time. His fasting lifestyle became a big challenge in the home. I became worried for the fasting because he was getting leaner and he began to lose interest in the bedroom. This became our major reason for quarrel daily. This night you must break this fasting, my ovulation starts today and I can’t let you continue the fast and let my ovulation time pass. ‘Sweet heart, why haven’t you conceived all this time you have been observing your ovulation period? Let’s deal with the root cause, the Bible says this kind goeth not out but by fasting and prayer, he quoted. I wasn’t interested in the scripture he’s quoting, I wanted to maximize this time because the ultimatum I gave to God will elapse next month. Iya ibeji did not allow me to breath since our visit to prophet David. ‘You don’t have to wait for three years like I waited when you have solution to your problem at the tip of your finger. All those you wedded around the same time are all carrying their babies except you. Will you wait until you get frustrated by your husband’s people? You better make hay while the sun shines,’ Iya ibeji encourage me. Her words penetrated me even to my marrows, “all those you wedded around the same time are all carrying their babies except you”. These words echoed in my ears now and then. The three months ultimatum I gave to God elapsed and I was still not pregnant. Obviously God wanted me to go for prophet David’s proposal. But why me? Why do I have to go through this? What’s my sin before God? What is my reward for serving him all these years? Why will God abandoned me this much? Where are his promises? How do I raise N600,000? What will I be doing for three weeks camping with prophet David, I know for sure it isn’t going to be prayer. I picked my phone and scrolled through iya ibeji’s number. ‘Good evening iya ibeji……’

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 8

*GET ME PREGNANT!* 
       *8th episode*

                                                     My infection had gone bad at this time, with whitish and creamy fluid coming out of my private. I knew I had no option this time other than to submit myself for treatment. The drugs were intimidating and horrible but I didn’t have any other choice than to complete the dose. I took the drugs in pain and bitterness. After two weeks I was asked to go for scanning to know the level of my responsiveness to treatment. The doctor wasn’t satisfied with my condition so he placed me on another two weeks heavy treatment. Those times were close to hell for me. One whole month of swallowing pills and heavy antibiotics. I became jealous of Sally as her pregnancy advanced by the day while I was battling with an infection. Three months later nothing happened, all my attempts to get pregnant never materialized. I became tired of life and wish I could just die. My inability to conceive turned into a nightmare. My husband had grown leaned for too much of sex yet I was not pregnant for once. I made a lot of research on Google and other fertility websites all to no avail. I forced my husband to see a specialist on my inability to conceive but I was advised to calm down and that I had no need to worry until after one year. One year looked like ten years. I can’t wait for one year, I told myself. I must be pregnant next month by all means. My phone rang while I was in the bathroom twice. When I came out to check my caller, it was Sally. I called back, “hello Sally,’ ‘hello Maryam’, she greeted back. ‘I called to inform you that I was delivered of a baby boy yesterday,’ she said. I managed to congratulate her, I faked happiness but I was not happy deep inside of me. After we ended the conversation my body system changed immediately. Many evil thoughts took hold of me. My friend who we thought will not be able to get pregnant is now a mother, Maryam the holy virgin cannot achieve one day pregnancy. It was useless keeping my virginity all these years. I should have enjoyed myself like Sally did. All the years of denial were needless after all. My husband came back from work that day with a news of promotion in his office. He was so excited about it but I was indifferent, neither did I show any sign of happiness. “Sweet heart, you didn’t even congratulate me for my new promotion,’ he queried. ‘Why should I congratulate you? Other men are impregnating their wives you, you are bringing promotion letter to the house. I want positive pregnancy test result in a white envelope not a promotion letter in a brown envelope.’ His countenance suddenly changed from good to bad. He just quietly left me in the sitting room to the bedroom. I went after him and screamed at the top of my voice, ‘impregnate me or I die! Strong and real men give their wives children. My husband did not alter a word and that made it painful. I moved closed to him, held his cloth as if he was owing me money. ‘If you are man enough make me pregnant now,’ he held me and said in a calm tune, “God makes all things beautiful in his own time”. Our marriage will soon be one year and I have not been seen with pregnancy. I no longer attended church regularly for shame and unnecessary questioning from church members. In fact, I began to hate those prayers people do whenever they see me. Those prayers makes everyone know you are waiting on the Lord for fruit of the womb. I started avoiding some women in church for the embarrassment from their so called prayers and wishes. This continued until I met with mama ibeji, they call her mama ibeji because she had a set of twins. She walked up to me after Sunday service, ‘Mrs Omeiza how are you?’ ‘I am fine ma’am’, I replied. ‘Can I have a chat with you? Yes ma’am.’ I already knew she was going to talk about conception because she’s one of those zealous women who will not mind their business in church. I just wanted her to say what she wanted to say so I can go. ‘I know what you are going through Mrs Omeiza because I was there too. I waited three years after our wedding before God answered me.’ I didn’t know she waited that long anyway before having her children. She told me about a pastor in Abaji who God has been using to answer the prayer of waiting mothers. She promised to take me there if I was willing. Why won’t I be willing? I want to carry my baby too. How to tell my husband I want to go and see a prophet over conception is a big problem. He will never subscribe to that idea because he is a man of faith. I started thinking of lies and immediately I thought of telling him I want to go and see my mom. I got it all planned out with Iya ibeji and we took off to Abaji the following day. When we got to Abaji I was expecting Iya ibeji to take me to a church since we were going to see a prophet but I was shocked to my bones when we got into the hotel and iya ibeji bought a ticket in my name at the reception. I summoned courage to asked her, “ma I thought you said we are coming to see a prophet, why are we here in a hotel? Do you want to carry your baby or not? She asked me as she looked through my eyes. Of course I want to carry my baby. So I replied, ‘I want to carry my baby.’ It seems a section of the hotel have been leased to prophet David Evans for this work. We got to the section and met two other women on the waiting queue. We sat down and waited for our turn. When we got in, I was expecting to see a man on suit with a Bible on his table and probably a bottle of anointing oil but that was far from it. Rather I saw a funky man with a well furnished office surrounded with beautiful electronic gadgets. This man can’t be a prophet, I thought within me ..... What do you think Maryam is into?

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 7

*GET ME PREGNANT!*
      *7th Episode*

                                                       My husband practically dragged me to the hospital. He made all the complaints to the doctor as I was economical with information about my health so as to avoid any treatment that will jeopardize my chances of conceiving that month. Immediately the doctor asked me to lie on the patient stretcher so he could observe me. He did I quick scan on my abdomen, ‘madam you may stand up.’ He said after the scan. My eyes were fixed on his lips, anxious to hear his diagnosis. ‘Sir, madam is having an infection and that is the cause of the pain, I will place her on medication for two weeks. I will also treat you so you won’t pass it to her again through sexual intercourse. Does it mean I am not pregnant? I asked myself and unknown to me my silent question was loud enough that the doctor heard it. ‘No madam, you are not pregnant. Even if you were pregnant I would prefer we take care of this infection first.’ At that moment I hated my husband for bringing me to hear this bad news, I hated the doctor too for giving me this bad news. For the period we spent with the doctor I was quiet all through. Inside the car while going home I didn’t say a word to my husband neither did I reply any of his conversations. We got home and my husband gave me the dose for that night. ‘I won’t take these drugs because I know I don’t have any infection. Even if I have an infection, my God will heal me.’ I told my husband. My husband was not happy about my attitude and I could see anger all over his face. The drugs were too powerful for an expectant mother and I didn’t wish to take such medication at the moment . It will suspend my plans of getting pregnant for two months. If I take the drugs now, it will flush out my pregnancy and will not allow me observe my ovulation time for the next month. I refused to take the drugs but kept praying to God for this month’s pregnancy to stay. I started vomiting some days later. I quickly rushed to the calendar to calculate the days I missed my period, it was the 29th day after the last circle. I quickly put a call through to Sally, ‘I think I am pregnant’, I told her on phone. ‘Have you gone for a test?’ she asked me. ‘I have been vomiting for two days now and I haven’t seen my menses for 29 days, do I need any test to know I am pregnant?’ ‘Missing your menses for 29 days and vomiting are not enough to conclude you are pregnant. Dear friend, please go for pregnancy test tomorrow. I know it will surely be positive, congratulations in advance.’ she said. I couldn’t explain what I felt because of what Sally said and the congratulation greeting. My fear with going for pregnancy test is the fact that I will not be able to withstand “madam you are not pregnant” or “madam the test is negative”. I decided I won’t go to the hospital for a test until I see more signs of pregnancy. My husband and I had not been friendly terms because of my refusal to take the drugs prescribed for the treatment of the infection. I knew I was still in control of his heart because of the love he had for me, so I wasn’t afraid. More so, I know telling him that I was pregnant will change his attitude, all I needed was just to be sure I was pregnant. I waited on till the 36th day before I told my husband I was ready for a pregnancy test. He smiled and said ‘pregnancy test you will have.’ He quickly dressed up and we drove to the hospital. This time I was more optimistic because I had seen almost all the pregnancy signs I have heard of in my life. My blood sample was taken, ‘you may wait at the reception,’the lab lady announced to us. But this was not the method last time, I sat with the man while he did the test. Why is this lady asking us to go out first for a test that’s less than fifteen minutes? We obeyed and went to sit at the reception. Fifteen minutes later she called out my name to come for my result. My husband asked me to sit down while he went for the result but I pretended as if I didn’t hear him, so I followed him right behind. As soon as I saw the lady handing over a brown envelope to my husband I started feeling dizzy. Before my husband could collect the envelope I was down on the floor. All that happened thereafter was explained to me when I regained my consciousness.    

Read 8th episode tonight.

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 6

*GET ME PREGNANT.!*
    *6th episode*
                                      
                                                                                                                                                                 I came home and met my husband in a happy mood. He had set the dining table ready in anticipation of the good news. It wasn’t closing time but he was already home, obviously to hear the news first hand. However, there was no good news to tell my husband. I looked at the joy and excitement in his face and felt very bad at that moment. I started imagining the treatment I would have received from my husband if I could just announce to him that “I am pregnant”. Why did God turn my happiness to sadness? It was really heavy for me to inform him that I was not pregnant after all the drama. I handed over the envelope to him and rushed to the bathroom to fix my sanitary pad so as to avoid the flow from staining me. He took the brown envelope and stared at it for a long time without altering a word. My husband is a man of faith and I know that. After some minutes he joined me in the bedroom where I was sobbing, ‘why are you crying my sweet heart?’ He asked. ‘Why won’t I cry? When God seems to have forgotten me but choose to show kindness to a sinner. I may not be a perfect Christian but I am a good one. Why will I keep myself for all these years and God will choose to pay me back in this painful way, I retorted as I sobbed bitterly. My husband was temporarily confused, he was short of words and I understood as he tried to mutter some words but swallowed them again. He couldn’t withstand my tears as some unsolicited tears dropped down his own cheeks uncontrollably. He later summoned strength and courage and said, ‘sweetheart, it is too early to worry about pregnancy. We are barely less than two months in marriage and you are already devastated because you didn’t conceive in the first month. You need to take it easy, if you didn’t achieve pregnancy this month, you can achieve it next month. Stop accusing God that way, that’s close to blaspheming. Stop crying and wipe away your tears. I am your husband and we are in it together.’ He hugged me, cuddled me, kissed me, etc but all that made no meaning to me at that moment. For three days, I lost my appetite. My husband tried to make me eat but I couldn’t. All the times he forced me to, I threw it all up eventually. He was so worried that he called my mom to inform her of all that has happened and my attitude towards the matter. My mom called me and cheered me up. She took her time to explain the ovulation process and how I should take advantage of it next month. I thanked my mom and we ended the call. That gave me some small relief and was able to eat some noodles. I made up my mind to yield to my mom’s advice and take full advantage of my ovulation time. I started calculating based on the way my mom taught me. From my calculations, my ovulation was supposed to be around 15th, by 12th I started giving my husband enough water melon and dates fruit to boost his performance for the period. Even when I was having pains I didn’t let my husband know so as not to advice we should minimize the number of times we met together. I made him sleep with me twice before he left for work and when he came back from work, we did it before his meal. At night, we could go as much as three to four rounds. I was determined not to leave any stone unturned this time. At some point, he complained mildly, ‘sweetheart don’t you think we are having too much of sex?’ He asked. ‘What is too much sex for a new couple who wants a child?’ I replied. ‘Don’t tell me you are already getting bored with sex just after two months of marriage. If we don’t have sex how do you want me to be pregnant?’ He was pacified and apologized for complaining. After a weeklong sex romp with my husband I started having some pains around my lower abdomen, the pains were hurting and sharp. I didn’t bother to tell my husband because I don’t want him to tell me to go to the hospital. I endured the pain for two weeks thinking it will subside but it rather grew worse. On the 3rd of November I went to the nearby pharmacy to get pregnant test kits. I will carry out the test myself before going to the hospital for confirmation. I was anxious it will be positive this time. I did the test and I didn’t understand the result.  I went back to the pharmacist the following day for him to explain to me how to interpret the result of the test. He did and asked me to get another kit to re- conduct the test. While I was going home that day I asked myself, “Maryam why the desperation? Why do you want to kill yourself over pregnancy for a marriage that’s less than three months?” I challenged myself in many ways but yet I was still worried. I threw away the new pregnancy test kit I just bought and went home trusting God. The pain in my abdomen became unbearable by the day. I spoke to my husband about it and of course he said we will see the doctor tomorrow. He didn’t seek for my consent the following day when he came back from work and told me to prepare for a visit to the hospital. ‘Sweet heart, I think I am better now and there will be no need going to the hospital again,’ I told him. My husband took me by my hand and pulled me up and pointed towards the room, ‘go in there and put on your clothes now,’ he said. I obeyed him and went in to change my clothes. 

Read 7th episode tomorrow pls.

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 5

*GET ME PREGNANT.!*
*5th episode*

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 I was very optimistic and calculative. I saw my period last on the 16th of July, this is 2nd September, I didn’t need any test to know I was pregnant with the changes in my body. I started acting drama for my husband. He gradually does everything in the house without complaining, “my dear just sleep and I will do everything for you”, that became Omeiza’s slogan. But he was bent on taking me to the hospital for a test. After mounting pressure on me? I succumbed just for him to let me be. I took my birth that morning and got to the hospital early just to please my husband and clear his doubt about my condition. I was number four on the queue waiting to be attended to. All the three women ahead of me came out of the laboratory with a smile and a white envelope in their hands. An elder cleaner and a staff of the hospital positioned herself by the entrance to the hospital laboratory who will always smile at women coming out of the maternity laboratory with a congratulatory greetings. ‘Congratulations madam”, she repeated to the first three women who went in before me as they came out smiling. It was my turn to go in, I had planned within me how I will change my steps when coming out with my white envelope. I love the old woman and I planned to hug her when she will be telling me “congratulations madam”. All the three women who went in before me spent between fifteen to twenty minutes and they were out. Forty minutes after I entered, the lab technician was yet to give me my result. I saw him going over the same process again and I knew something was wrong. Just a minute madam, he requested like three times. I became unnecessarily agitated and worried. Why is my own test taken so long? Has he discovered something else different from pregnancy in the test? What could be wrong? I thought of many things including being HIV positive. Even if I was HIV positive it must be from a different source and not sex. He finally handed over the envelope to me but mine was a brown envelope. All those who had come out before me were given white envelope, why is mine brown? I queried my mind. I was expecting him to say something but he handed over the envelope to me and continued his work as if I was no longer in the lab. I waited for about two minutes, expecting him to say something but he said nothing. Oga what is in the result? I asked him. He was not polite at all when he told me “madam the result is negative”. I quickly asked meaning what? As if I don’t understand what he meant. ‘Madam you are not pregnant’, he said carelessly. My whole body system changed immediately. Is this man sane? Is he a professional at all? ‘How can you tell me I am not pregnant after missing my period for more than twenty days. I have been having unprotected sex more than a month now. This can’t be true, I will go elsewhere to redo this test.’ I replied angrily. As I was about carrying my handbag I remembered the old cleaner at the reception and how I will face her with my brown envelope. I quickly squeezed the envelope into my bag. When I opened the door of the lab my legs were missing target as all other women seated turned at me with the old woman looking already pitiful. I felt like entering the ground that day, nobody told me congratulations like other women who came in before me. I looked at the old woman and tears dropped down my cheeks. She held me and whispered to me, “God will do it”. I quickly rushed out of the scene to avoid more pity from the waiting women. On my way to another clinic to prove the test wrong I felt a wetness in my pant. I stylishly put in my hand, it was blood, my menses just came. I told the taxi driver I wanted to drop, madam you no dey go Felele again? He asked. No I’m not going again, I changed my mind. He dropped me and I gave him N200 without asking for my change. When I dropped I went to I nearby shop and cried my life out. What will I tell my husband who is waiting for the good news? How do I explain my behavioural change and dramas? I felt like committing suicide that moment. While I was lost in thought my phone rang, it was my husband. Hello sweet heart, how did it go, are you through in the hospital, have you done the test? What is the result of the test? I didn’t know which of his questions to answer. I will be home soon, I replied and ended the call. Between ten minutes, series of questions and thoughts had overwhelmed me. Why and how can Sally who is a well known sinner be pregnant before her wedding and me who have been serving God faithfully to the best of my knowledge is made to go through this? I kept myself, Sally wasted herself yet Jacob’s blessing is given to Esau and Esau’s blessing given to Jacob. What have I done wrong? What is my offence? What did Sally do right that I didn’t do? 

What an irony of life!
Read next episode tomorrow.

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 4

*GET ME PREGNANT.*
  *4th episode*

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 I had to take two weeks break from work to be with Sally for her wedding preparations. We planned and executed every bit of her wedding decisions together. The wedding was okay because Sally’s husband worked with an oil company in Porthacourt; and with a fat salary, they could afford everything they wanted for the wedding. He had come for a two-week official assignment in Kano where he met with Sally. I felt for him considering the past life of my friend. Will she be able to give him a child at all? This was my thought all through the wedding. The wedding ended and I took off on Monday morning back to Lokoja. My wedding was in a month’s time, and I needed to put myself together so that I can be strong enough to go through the stress. I was shocked to my bones when Sally told me she won’t be coming for my wedding. ‘Why won’t you attend my wedding after all I went through to make yours a success?’ I protested. How can she be absent at my wedding? ‘No way, Sally I know you are joking,’ I said, laughing over the phone. ‘Maryam you won’t understand.’ she said. ‘On my wedding day, I was already two months pregnant and the doctor had advised me not to engage in strenuous activities in my first trimester.’ ‘Sally, you are what?’ I asked in surprise. It was a mixed feelings for me, I was happy she was pregnant and also unhappy she won’t make it to my wedding. But how could she be pregnant? after the last abortion the doctor told her that her chances of getting pregnant within the next five years is less than 7%. I would have ascribed this to a miracle but Sally was the least to enjoy God’s grace. I was happy for her, my fears had been taken away. But many questions ran through my mind; does God show mercy on unrepentant persons? To the best of knowledge, Sally is still a chronic sinner. Three of her boyfriends still sent her money while I was with her in the build up to her wedding. I was aware she still went to see Alhaji Ado in his hotel room four days to her wedding. I concluded, “His ways are not our ways” and left the matter at that. I began to plan for my own wedding as the day drew near. Sally and her husband sent me N300,000 to support my wedding plans. Three days to the D day I became feverish for thoughts and fears of sleeping with a man for the first time. I was told the first experience is not always funny especially at my age. I became so weak that I was taken to the hospital where I was given two drips before I was discharged. Everything went well, my mom was proud of me marrying at 29 as a virgin. My mom had taught me everything I needed to know and do as a new bride. On our first night together as husband and wife, my husband could not believe I was still a virgin when he couldn’t penetrate me. I had never told him I was a virgin either. After much struggle without success, he took a break and went downstairs as if he was going to buy something but I saw him making a call. He must have called a friend to narrate his experience. He came back after about 30 minutes with smile all over his face. Maryam, you are still a virgin? I smiled, I was proud of myself and my mom. My dream to give my virginity to my husband had finally come to reality. This time he knew what to do, he must have been taught from the phone conversation he had. That night he made a lot of promises to me including buying me a car. Been with Omeiza for one week without interruption from work and families was the best thing that ever happened to me. We gisted, played games, watched movies, ate and slept all through the week. We could go a whole day without seeing the sun, it was fun, fun and more fun. I knew I won’t escape been pregnant after a two week continuous sexual intercourse. One month after I started feeling funny in my body, of course I needed no laboratory test to know what was going on in my system. I was so weak that my husband will have to close on time from work to help me do some house chores. ‘You need to see the doctor,’ Omeiza pleaded. ‘I will see the doctor at the right time, I will be fine,’ I assured him.

Won't that be a good result for the rigorous exercise?

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 3

*GET ME PREGNANT*
*3rd episode*

                                                                       We graduated on the 18th September and it was celebration galore. I went back to Abuja to my parents to await my NYSC posting while Sally decided to stay back in Kano because she was offered a teaching job in one of the best private schools in Kano. It was the custom of the school to seek for the best graduating students in the University to offer a job with tempting pay. Sally though wasn’t the best student in our department but she was one of the best, she was preferred because she is from the north and could speak Hausa very well. She worked with the school for seven months when our posting came. The school owner has solid influence in the University and could influence Sally’s posting. Sally was posted to Kano after the school proprietor had pressed his buttons. You can’t imagine how much a private school was paying Sally, a semi graduate. We later learnt the school proprietor could spend fortune on his English and Mathematics teachers. When I came to collect my result, I spent three days with Sally in her one room self-contained apartment. Her lifestyle was now more terrible than when we were in school. I was posted to Lokoja for my Youth service. By that time, Daniel was already engaged with a girl he impregnated. I was disappointed but he explained everything to me and apologized for betraying me. His mother wanted him to marry the girl instead of waiting for me to complete my education. Unfortunately, we had two strikes that extended our stay in school beyond four years. He tried to resist the girl but his mother connived with the girl and played smart on him. I was sorry for him because I know he’s not the tough type. That was the end of my journey with Daniel. It was a bit painful because I had turned down all proposals from all the guys I met in school because of Daniel. I moved on with my life as I reported to Lokoja for my Youth service program. At Lokoja, I met an Ebira guy, Omeiza by name. He was just the perfect guy I could have something serious with. He works with Kogi State ministry of finance, a Christian per excellence. He lived in a well furnished two bedroom apartment and he was relatively comfortable. His salary was not much but he was from a royal family and his father willed some of his properties in and outside Lokoja to him before he died. He had just two brothers, one lived in the US while the other is an officer in the Nigerian Army. I met Omeiza through a friend in our church. I called her my friend because we were both in the church choir together. Omeiza did not let me feel the vacuum created by Daniel. He was all over me all through my service year in Lokoja. ‘Maryam, you will be completing your service in a month’s time, I will like you to take me to your parents next week. I have also concluded arrangements to take you to my people this weekend,’ he said. I was perplexed, I had never introduced anyone to my parents as my man, how will I do this? What will I tell Mrs Ladidi, the iron lady? I began to rehearse how I will tell my mom that I now had a fiance. I called Sally to advice me on how to present it to my parents that I was bringing my boyfriend to the house when she broke the news to me. ‘Maryam my wedding will be coming up in July and you’re gonna be my chief bride maid.’ July 4th was our proposed date with Omeiza but I didn’t bother to tell her on phone. I was happy for my friend that she will be settling down at last. We talked at length about the guy, the wedding and lots more. Immediately she dropped the call I remembered all the abortions Sally had done, would she be able to get pregnant again especially with the last experience? I really feared for her. I told Omeiza about Sally and her wedding plans, so we shifted ours to a further date in September in order to provide the needed support for my friend’s wedding. After the lecture from Sally on how to present my boyfriend to my parents, I called my mom and repeated almost word to word everything Sally told me to my mom with a shaky voice. Sincerely I was shocked at my mom’s response, I was expecting a shout like usual but this time it was different. The salutation was different, her voice was cooler, her words of praises gave me confidence that I was doing the right thing. This was the first time I had the guts to talk to my mom about a man. I was expecting her to say “make sure he doesn’t touch you” or “you must not allow him see your pant” as usual but I was disappointed. She was happy and promised to tell my dad about our proposed visit. We first traveled to Okene to see his family. Their house was big, what do you expect from a royal family? Everyone accepted me, his aged mother made me sit on her laps like a baby, wow I felt like a princess for the two days we stayed in Okene. It was like we already married, his people were lovely and hospitable. We all went to church on Sunday in the family Sienna car, his mother, two cousin sisters and myself sitting in front of the car with Omeiza like the queen of Ohinohi, hahaha. We left Okene very early in the morning on Monday to report directly to our places of work. Okene to Lokoja was less than an hour drive. When we arrived Lokoja I was thinking of how we will pass the night in my house, our house in Abuja isn’t as big as Omeiza’s house in Okene where I had a whole big room to myself. The thought of how to pass the night in Abuja with Omeiza became my major problem. We left for Abuja on Friday afternoon. On arrival my mom was all over him, ‘my son that, my son this.’ She barely had time for me. He was led to the dinning table and my mom served my boyfriend a sumptuous meal, this is unbelievable. Mrs Ladidi had changed. I couldn’t comprehend her sudden change for quite a while. Immediately after the dinner, I began to think about where to sleep. My mom had everything planned out without me knowing. She had asked my sisters to moved their things temporarily to her room, the same room she shared with my dad. Maryam, let my son go and rest as she pointed to the other room, of course there are only two rooms. The second room was our room but the arrangement was amazing this time. The two of us were to use the room while my two sisters use the sitting room. How can my mom trust me and a man inside a room all the night after all her teachings? I was not comfortable with the arrangement so I led Omeiza to the room and joined my sisters at the sitting room. She came out at about 10:30pm and saw me at the sitting room with my sisters and almost got angry, you left only him in the room? She asked angrily. I couldn’t say a word but quickly joined him in the room.

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 2

*GET ME PREGNANT.*
*2nd Episode*

                                                                          I got admission into Bayero University Kano(BUK) to study Mass Communication – a four year course. My departure from Daniel was painful but it was expedient. My first three months in school was like I was in another world without Daniel. My loneliness didn’t last for too long before I met Sally. Sally was a very brilliant student, charming and lovely. She was one of the best students in my class. We got attracted to each other because of her humility and simplicity. I have never seen a lady so brilliant and pretty and still humble the way Sally was. The only problem with my friend is that she doesn’t know how to say no to proposals from guys. I became her saviour when I came into her life, as I had to help her turn down some casual proposals from some casual guys. Guys were flocking around her because she had what it takes for any man to want to die for her. Before I met her, she had already dated two guys in the same department just barely four months after entering into school. When our first semester result was released Sally had one of the highest GPA, only one guy was ahead of her. The result made Sally more popular than before. Our friendship was cut short by the semester’s break that lasted for about a month. By the time we resumed for the second semester, we agreed to live together off campus. We took a room apartment outside the campus and life began on a new note. How Sally was able to combine her academic work together with her numerous male friends and still came out with strong 2.1 still remains a mystery. I knew I could not compare myself with Sally if I have to graduate from the school. I concentrated on my books while Sally gave better of her times to men. Before we finished second semester, Sally had already had two D&Cs, while I was still a virgin. All these never affected her grades or performance in school. Sally never stayed with a guy for more than two months. She changed them like clothes and shoes. She came back home one day drunk and almost half naked. ‘Sally where are you coming from?’ I asked, but she did not reply a word. She managed to get herself into the bathroom for a shower. I joined her in the bathroom to know what had happened to my friend. Her hair, her torn pants and stains all over her body made me to deduce that my friend had been drugged and raped. Who did this to you Sally? I asked, she never altered a word to tell me what had happened to her but it was obvious. I became afraid of Sally because of her proscumity and waywardness. I was afraid she was going to contact an incurable disease someday as she jumped from one guy to the other. Lecturers were not spared by Sally. She was also good at snatching people’s boyfriends. By the time we got to 300level I made up my mind not to stay together with Sally again because of her lifestyle but she won’t let me leave. ‘You’re the only true friend I have in this campus, you still tell me the truth even when I am not taking your advice. What will now be of me if people like you are no longer in my life to help correct my excesses?’ She said to me when I broke the news to her of my intention to stay on my own that semester. Her words touched me and I gave my conditions if I have to stay together with her. ‘Condition one is that you must not have two boyfriends at a time. Condition two is that you must always follow me to the church anytime I am going.’ She crossed her heart and accepted my conditions, so I stayed back. Sally kept to the deal for just three weeks and went back to her lifestyle. My heart was broken because she will be going for another abortion by the weekend, this will be the 5th abortion she will be doing in three years. I began to fear for her future, how will she be able to give birth when she’s married? I asked myself. This last abortion was not funny as she bled for almost two weeks after. Sally almost died but we couldn’t seek help because we couldn’t tell people she just had an abortion. I thought this experience will teach her a lesson but I was wrong. She seemed to be wilder after that incidence. ‘ Sally! We’ve got a special guest pastor from Lagos. He has been around for the past two days and today is the last day he will be with us, I will like you to come with me to the church to be part of the blessing of today. I will go with you if you will promise me we will close or I can leave by 7pm because I have an important appointment by 7:30pm. I quickly accepted her condition, at least she will be in the church. The guest speaker hadn’t even started his sermon when Sally looked into my eyes. Of course I knew what that meant. Before I could say anything she had picked her bag and was gone. I tried to see her off but she was in hurry so I let her be. I got home by 9:05 and met Sally with two guys on our bed.
Hmmmm..

GET ME PREGNANT - Episode 1

GET ME PREGNANT
1st Episode

                                                                                  Thanks to my mother, Mrs Ladidi who taught me to be a woman of pride and dignity. It will be difficult for many to believe I was still a virgin even after my university education. My mother was that strict woman who must not see you with any man. She made us believed you can never be respected by your husband if he meets your disvirgined. So I did everything in my wisdom and strength to keep my virginity all through my secondary school and university days. There were series of temptations and narrow escapes but it was not easy. Danjuma was my first love, we met while I was in SSS 2. He was a good guy except that he wanted me to prove my love for him by sleeping with him. I had told him from the onset of our relationship that *this is everything minus sex* and he agreed. We dated for three years, but it was three years of agony and pain. In our three years of dating, he attempted raping me six times but was unsuccessful. I will never forget the last attempt, he had succeeded in tearing my pant and I had made up my mind to let him into my body but he lost erection after all the struggle to get me down. That was how I escaped the sixth attempt. You must be thinking why I had not walked away after the second or the third attempt, I myself can’t tell why I couldn’t walk away. All my friends knew I was still a virgin and the only virgin among our clique. Severally they had arranged some boys to get me disvirgined but I was smarter than them. I had a strong intuition to know when they drugged my food or drinks just to get at me. Some of them thought I was a witch but I wasn’t. They intentionally discussed how sweet sex was while I was with them to make me change my mind but I was resolute – my mother’s words are more stronger than theirs. I want to be a woman of pride and dignity. I will keep my virginity for my husband no matter the cost. My second boyfriend was not as aggressive as Danjuma, he was calmer and respected my decision with the hope that he will eventually be that husband to break the cistern. Our love for each other was enviable. We were like the Romeo and Juliet of our time. In all our times together he never tried to force me to sleep with him except on two occasions when were lost in lust for each other. We almost could not resist each other as we both caressed each other like two love birds. He looked at my face, I looked at his and remembered my covenant, “I will keep my virginity for my husband”. Something within me said, “but Dan will marry you, there’s no difference if he does it now or later.” I quickly rejected that voice and disengaged from his arms and took my leave.  These were not easy decisions anyway. Even though he had never complained, putting him in the mood and leaving him in that manner gave me a lot of concern and worry. I shared my experience with Jumai and she felt I was wicked. ‘A man who has given you everything you wanted in life, he has provided your material needs, given you time and affection, etc, what else can you give him as a pay back or appreciation for all his gestures?’ She asked me. Jumai made me feel indebted to Daniel and I couldn’t sleep all through the night because of her words. I woke up at about 2am that night and I was overwhelmed with the thought of Daniel. In reality there’s nothing Daniel hasn’t done to make me happy, there’s nothing I give him that will be too much for his love towards me, not even my virginity. Immediately I decided that moment to give it to him. I picked my phone and sent him a text message, “I will be coming to your place tomorrow”. He replied after 23 minutes, “it’s ok, I will be expecting you”. I was eager to meet with Daniel so he can make me feel like a woman for the first time. The clock became slow for my liking. Because of what people will say, I waited till 10am before going to his house. The moment I entered, he knew I was up to something, my face said it all, my actions spelt it better but Daniel is a rare gem. He reminded me of my covenant, the words of my mother to me. ‘Will you break your covenant for five minutes enjoyment?’ He asked me. I was ashamed of myself, I could not look straight into his eyes again. He picked up my pant and wore them on me himself. We will do this when we are married, he said. Tears of mixed feelings dropped down my cheeks. ‘Daniel I love you.’ ‘Maryam I love you more.’ We hugged each other and he led me to the door. 

The second episode is Coming soon

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT) Episode 10

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT)

EPISODE 10

As I reached for my pocket to pay for my meal, I discovered that there was no money there.  I was really surprised,  because few minutes before I entered the restaurant, I was very sure that I had the money there. The waiter was looking at me as I was checking my pocket. "I'm sorry, but my money has been stolen" I said to the guy.  "Oh!  You're trying to be smart right? When you were eating,  you didn't know that you had no money?" The guy said to me.  I felt totally embarrassed.  It happened that some Lagos guys had stolen from me. They took absolutely everything.  Desola was just looking dazed,  as the situation was quite a surprise to her too.  "You are going to pay every dime" The guy wanted to start dragging me but was interrupted by Desola.  "Why are you people so inconsiderate?  He just said that he lost the money and you want to treat him that way. How much is the money self?" She said like she was going to fight. "It's just 1,250 Naira" He replied with a frown on his face.  Desola opened her bag, brought out Two Thousand Naira, handed it over to the guy and stormed out of the restaurant without even asking for change. 

I ran after her immediately. "Wait!  Wait!  Wait!" She heard and stopped. "I'm sorry I had to walk out like that.  That guy was just too annoying". She said to me.  "No please, I should be the one thanking you for saving me the embarrassment." I said, thanking her." You are welcome! I'm sorry,  I  have to go now. I have a JAMB tutorial to attend and I'm running late already. See ya!" She left hurriedly. 

I had lost everything that I had on me so I went back inside and collected the 750 Naira change from the guy.  He didn't want to give me, but I threatened that I was going to report to the manager and he had no choice.  I took the money and continued with the journey of no destination. I walked a long distance until I got to an area that has so many houses. I entered the street and walked down.  I didn't know where I was going or why I was going.  I saw the sign in front of a very big house with a black gate,  on it was written "Houseboy/Housegirl needed.  Knock,  and come in if you're interested". I was very happy because I knew that it was possible that feeding and accommodation would be provided by the house. I summoned courage and knocked on the gate.  After knocking several times, a guy opened the gate.  He looked like an Igbo guy,  but I identified him with his uniform that he was the gate man. He looked quite young,  but older than me. "Watin dey happen, who you dey find?" He asked me. "Please I saw the vacancy for houseboy at the gate." I answered. "You wan do houseboy abi?" He asked me "Yes sir". I answered.  "Na hin you con dey speak English, na for bank you wan work? Enter joor". He said to me.  I entered humbly and he took me to the 'Madam' of the house. After waiting in the sitting room for for a while, the woman finally came.....

Me: Good evening ma. 
Woman: Good evening.  How are you doing? 
Me: I'm fine ma. 
Woman: I was told that you want to work as houseboy? 
Me: Yes ma! 
Woman: Are you sure that you want to do this? You don't look like you're capable. 
Me: I'm very sure that I'm capable ma. 
Woman: Where are you form?  How come you speak good English? 
Me: I was schooling before,  but I lost my both parents in a fatal accident and I had no one to help me(I lied).  I just came to Lagos. In fact,  I know nobody in Lagos ma.  But if I can get this job,  i will forever be grateful to you ma. 
Woman: Sorry about that. I would love to employ you. But there is a problem.
Me: What's that ma? 
Woman: You are almost a fully grown man, and I won't want to expose my only daughter to danger. I'm just a single mother,  and I won't want any problems. 
Me: (I prostrated)  Please ma!  I can promise that nothing of such will happen. If I leave here now I have nowhere to go.  Please ma help me.
Woman: I will do you a favour, I will employ you,  but my daughter has to come first.  She is not around now, but I believe that she should be back soon.  If she likes the idea,  you are employed,  buy if she doesn't,  I'm sorry I cannot do what my daughter doesn't like...

As we were talking,  there was a knock on the gate.  It was the woman's daughter. She came into the house and I was shocked when I saw her... 

What next?  Find out in Episode 11. And don't forget to share with friends

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT) Episode 9

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU

EPISODE 9

"Please!  Please!  Please! Don't kill me! Don't kill me! Don't kill me!..."

I opened my eyes and I met myself in the bus, I had slept and had been dreaming all the while. "What kind of dream is this?" I thought to myself.  Well, I was so happy that it was just a dream.  Aunty Rebecca would have shown no mercy if it were to be real. 

The journey continued as I paid no attention to the places we passed or did not pass.  The only thing on my mind is to get to 'Oshodi' in Lagos. The traffic was quite much, so it took us almost four hours to reach Lagos. On reaching Lagos,  I alighted from the bus.  I had no load.  It was just me,  my short,  my round-neck top,  my pair of slippers and Two Thousand Naira. 

"Now I'm free from the witch of a wife that my father has. I started my journey by buying a bottle of 'Coca Cola' as the fuel in my 'car'.  I was very hungry. So after walking for a while,  I entered a restaurant. I was just a 17 years old boy who was just becoming a 'nigga' wandering the streets of lagos.  I have not had my bath,  neither have I brushed.  I just comported myself well and entered the restaurant. "For one last time, I'm going to eat like the rich man's son that I am". I said to myself. I entered the restaurant,  ordered a plate of fried rice which was 750 Naira, a piece of chicken lap for 400 Naira,  and a bottle of 'Maltina' for 100 Naira. 

A girl came into the restaurant who appeared to be my age mate.  She looked stunning, beautiful, spotless, fair-complexioned and totally flawless.  There were three chairs that were free at my table, because I was the only one there. She went to the customers stand to place her orders. As she walked down to pick a sit.  I just prayed in my mind that she should just come and sit at the same table with me. I wasn't looking towards her direction  because I just didn't want to appear like I was 'overlooking'. I just heard in an angels voice "Good afternoon." accompanied with the sound of a plate touching my table. I turned to look and it was this angel that I'd been starring at. "Good afternoon". I replied.  I watched everything about her,  she looks quite tush. She had ordered rice and chicken too.  I wanted to start a conversation,  but I don't know how how to start.  Fortunes smiled at me when she took her phone and checked it "Dem!  The network here is so bad!" She said,  leaving the phone and concentrating on her food.  We were almost done eating, it wasn't like she was referring to me,  but I would be a fool not to leverage on that to start a conversation... 

Me: It's like that in some areas in Lagos.  What network are you using
The Girl: Glo
Me: Glo is actually good,  maybe it's just like that today. 
The Girl: What network do you browse with
Me: Etisalat, though they can act funny sometimes too. 
The Girl: Nigeria and poor networks
Me: it's just like the king and the crown.  Or let's say bride and wedding gown. They go hand in hand... 
The Girl: (Laughed) I kind of like your spoken English. I'm 'Desola' (Stretching her hands to shake me) 
Me: (I was so excited,  I almost lost control,  but i just had to keep calm and keep everything under control)  My name's Tolu.  It's too bad that poor networks don't care about how cute someone is,  they wouldn't have had a chance with you.  Your beauty is literally going to push them away and draw the strong network. 
Desola: (Laughs) Seriously,  you are a very funny person,  I will take that as a complement.  Thanks! 
Me: You are ever so welcome.  So tell me... 

We were interrupted by the two guys wearing uniform. One came to pack the plates since we were done eating while the other came to take money.  Desola,  paid her bills,  I would have paid for her but what exactly was the point,  knowing fully well that I had just 1900 Naira with me. As I reached for my pocket to pay for my meal, I discovered that there was no money there... 

What next?  Find out in Episode 10 and don't forget to share with friends.

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT) Episode 8

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU

EPISODE 8

if anyone had told me that I was going to be in that situation at anytime in my life, I would have argued it. I wish I could just stay there and morning should not just come. My eyes were just opened, sleep was the last thing I wanted. 

It was morning, and I had to get money or else,  there will be no Lagos.  Lagos bus was just a Thousand Naira.  As I was thinking about how to get money, a lady approached me. "Please,  where is lagos bus?" She said to me. I had seen all that the previous night,  since I did not sleep.  "It's right there". I pointed towards the direction of the bus. I wanted to ask her if she could give me some money.  It sounded weird,  but I just had to summon courage. She was already leaving so I followed her.  "Sister!  Sister!" I called her as I hurried towards her.  "Yes!  What is it?" She answered.  "I was going to Lagos but unfortunately, some guys stole my wallet with my Three Thousand Naira.  Please,  if there is anything you can help me with." I said to her.  The lady started laughing, I was scared that she knew I was lying "So you think you can fool me?  You are going to Lagos In a short?  Why is it that you boys, instead of getting something to do with your lives,  you cook up different stories in order to get money from people. . ." She said to me, I tried to interrupt. "Ma,  please, it's..." I tried to explain myself but she didn't let me land. "Just hold it there!" She started opening her bag,  I was scared she was going to bring out a gun.  I was surprised when she brought out money. "I'm going to give you three Thousand Naira.  Stop trying to be smart and do business. You're a handsome young boy,  your future is still very bright.  You can start selling recharge card or even pure water" I was so happy as I prostrated to her to tell her 'thank you'.  She said it was fine and she left. 

The whole speech she gave did not change my decision.  I just waited for her bus to move and was  the first passanger in the 'next turn'.  Where I was going in Lagos, I do not know,  but after paying for the transport fare.  I would still have extra two Thousand Naira,  so I was more calm and less anxious. 
People started coming in,  and eventually,  the bus was filled and the Journey began. I had not been to lagos before.  A part of me was enjoying the Adventure, and another part of me was finding it difficult and stressful. Well, I just had to enjoy it no matter what,  I had to be a man and fight to be someone in life. 

The bus moved and I didn't know when I  took a nap.  The next thing I saw was that a car was following our bus and quickly crossed and blocked our bus. Our driver had no choice but to stop.  A huge, tall,  muscular guy came down with a gun and went to open the back door for a woman who came down with two equally muscular guys.  One holding a cutlass and the other holding an Axe.  Everybody in the bus started panicking as the woman ordered everyone including the driver to come down.  The woman shouted "Tolu Williams!" I was really surprised that she mentioned my name.  As I raised my head to look at her,  guess who it was,  it was Aunty Rebecca. "You think you can get away so easily,  I'm going to make your death more painful than your mother's." She said to me as I was covered in sweats;  shivering.  Everybody just laid low on the ground as they did not know what was going on.  "Kill him!" Aunty Rebecca ordered.  The guy with the Axe came towards me and ordered me to put my head on a stone by the road side. He raised the axe and I shouted "Please! Please! Please!"...

What happened? Find out in Episode 9.

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT) Episode 7

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU

EPISODE 7
"You this unfortunate child!  You're leaving my house today!" It appeared like a joke,  and there was no way I was going to believe that it was serious until my dad came to me,  pulled me by my clothes and started dragging me out. I was just going to be 17. He dragged me outside the gate and stormed in to get my things.  I could not even take my phone. It was quite embarrassing for my own father to treat me that way.  Aunty Rebecca went in,  took my clothes and brought them. I was so surprised as Aunty Rebecca threw the clothes at me. It occured to me right there and then that it was all Aunty Rebecca's doing. 

I was filled with rage as I said with tears rolling down my cheeks, being beaten by the rain at the same time"Rebecca!  You will surely pay for this, whatever it is that you've done that made my father this way,  it's not going to work for long! Your children will pay for this! We will see again Rebecca!  We shall see!" She was quite angry and surprised that I called her by her name. She looked at my dad and said "Honey,  did you see that, did you hear what he just said.  He just cursed me!" My dad looked at me with so much anger "Oh!  You think you can curse my wife and get away with it?  You know what,  I bought those clothes with my money,  and guess what,  you are not going with any of those clothes!" He came towards me to snatch the box of clothes from me.  I tried to drag it,  but he overpowered me and took it from me.  I was bewildered. It was a mixed feeling of anger, sadness and hatred. I turned to Rebecca and uttered my last words: "Rebecca!  We shall see!" I started my journey with just a short, a round neck shirt and a pair of slippers.

It was around 8:30PM I walked in the rain,  the raindrops mixed the tear drops coming down uncontrollably.  I walked as I was thinking about what to do and where to go. I had nobody to go to.  I thought about going to Oyinade's house to explain things to her and her parents and see if I could get some help,  but the  decision appeared quite foolish to me. "How will I explain to anyone on earth that my dad sent me out of the house?  Who will understand what has been going on unless the person experiences the whole situation? I will have to leave for a place where nobody knows me.  I just have to struggle and make myself somebody in life,  then I will come back and make Rebecca pay for everything she has done." I thought to myself as I walked in the rain.  The thought of traveling out of ibadan came to my mind and that place just happened to be Lagos. "I'm going to Lagos!  That's a place where nobody knows me". I said to myself. 

I checked my pocket and fortunately,  I found 200 Naira.  The two hundred Naira, as at then, could not take me to Lagos,  but by any means possible, I was determined to get to Lagos no matter what. After walking for almost an hour,  thinking about what step I was going to take.  It occurred to me that Lagos was the 'most appropriate option'.  I boarded a bus to a bus-stop called 'Challenge' for hundred Naira. This bus stop happen to be the 'embassy' in Ibadan. When  I got to Challenge, I was totally stranded because all I had with me was hundred Naira.  There was no place to rest my head,  so I just sat on the pavement of a petrol station nearby. Though it was very late in the night, but buses were still moving and commercial activities were still going on I couldn't sleep all through the night as i kept thinking about how I was going to get to Lagos with my financial constraint and all the surprises that came up in my life... 

What next?  Find out in Episode 8.

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT) Episode 6

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU

EPISODE 6

I knew something was wrong with him,  but I could not just pinpoint what exactly was wrong. 

Aunty Rebecca called me one day and said to me; "If anyone should ask of Dunni, just tell them that she has travelled. If you dare to tell anyone that she's missing, I will make your life miserable". Well,  I just had to accept fate and keep mute. My instincts told me that Aunty Rebecca had something to do with the whole situation, but what can a 'poor boy' do? It appeared that my dad really loved Aunty Rebecca.  Even more than he loved my mom when she was alive.  Aunty Rebecca was not working at all,  but she spends money on expensive clothes and accessories.

The whole family problems had really affected my academics.  I was already in JSS3 and was preparing to write my Junior Secondary Certificate Examination (JSCE), popularly referred to as 'Junior WAEC'. Everyone in school noticed that something was wrong with me. I could not share with them that my sister is nowhere to be found, because I knew 'the witch' was going to kill me if she finds out. Everyone in school thought my sister left the country to live with my uncle. Since that was what Aunty Rebecca told me to tell people. 

I had a friend then whose name was Oyinade.  Oyinade could literally catch a grenade for me.  She was a very good friend. One day she just called me to have a conversation with me after school....

Oyinade: Tolu,  I really do not understand what's going on with you.  These days,  you tend to be absent minded and easily distracted. Whatever the problem is just know that you can tell me. 
Me: Oyin,  there's a lot going on in my life.  Most people tend to think life's all rosy for me.  But there is a lot going on that I can't share with anyone. 
Oyinade: It's all right,  we all have things we tell no one about.  But the thing is this, just brace up and be a man. What happened to the Tolu that used to Top the class?  What happened to the Tolu that goes home with almost all the prices?  Whatever happened to that Tolu? I know that he is in there somewhere,  (pointing at my chest) and that's the Tolu you need to face the coming exams... 

It was as if Oyinade had my password,  the words she spoke turned things around in my mind. I was really motivated.  "I can do this!" I said to myself.  

I decided to avoid all problems with Aunty Rebecca,  by doing whatever she says and trying as much as possible not to feel bad about it. From washing her clothes and ironing to washing Dara's clothes. If I don't do all that, there would be no food for me.  Thank God that my school fees were paid on contract. They had been paid up from JSS1 to SS3. Maybe she would have instructed my dad to stop paying my fees.  I gave my best shot and studied really hard for the exam with the help of my friend Oyinade.  We wrote the exam and when the results came, it was awesome.  Except for 'Introductory Technology' and 'Mathematics' where I had a 'C', all other subjects were 'A's. It was as if Oyinade photocopied my result, we had the exact same grade. We were both excited as I thanked her for her words of encouragement. 

There was no one to show my result to. My dad was too busy,  and even when he has the time,  he doesn't want to see me at all. I literally irritate him. I just kept my result and continued with my 'laying-low' life.  I discovered that doing whatever Aunty Rebecca says pays off. So I just continued the 'laying low' attitude.  I didn't realize that it wasn't her aim just to humble me.  She had something bigger in store for me. I continued my life like that till my SS3. But one day, something happened that ruined the whole thing. 

It was raining on a Saturday evening.  I was on my bed thinking about how to make the best out of my final exams.  My dad just badged into my room and shouted "You this unfortunate child!  You're leaving my house today!.... 

What next?  Find out in Episode 7

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT) Episode 5

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT)

EPISODE 5

It all continued for two good years and one day, a particular event occurred that almost got me mad. I was already in JSS2, and my sister Dunni was in primary 5. Dara was already in the 'playgroup'.  Aunty Rebecca just came to pick us from school that day and when I got home,  I wasn't feeling too well. I went to my room to take a nap, I woke up three hours later,  and discovered that I felt better already. I jumped out of bed,  and went to Dunni's room since she was the only one I could talk to.  But she wasn't there. This was very unusual,  because since Aunty Rebecca made herself our common enemy,  that was the only place she would be if she was not in my room.  I looked round the house but did not see Dunni. So I went to Aunty Rebecca to ask her about Dunni's whereabouts. "Am I Dunni's mother?! Am I Dunni's keeper?! Get out of my sight now before I descend on you!" She yelled at me.  I got very worried,  because since we were young,  we don't go anywhere to play. We only stay in the house.  "Where could Dunni have gone?" I wondered. 

When it appeared that the search wasn't fruitful, after four hours of checking everywhere in the house, I went back to Aunty Rebecca "Ma,  please,  I don't know where my sister is.  I've been looking for Dunni for the past four hours,  you can't just sit here watching TV.  I'm very sure that you won't sit and cross your legs if it were to be Dara that has not been seen for four good hours!" I said with tears and so much anger.  She took the remote,  and threw it at me,  and I dodged it.  She rushed to the kitchen, took the mopping stick,  and headed towards my direction. I ran out of the house,  and stayed outside seizing that opportunity to ask around,  probably, anyone might have seen Dunni. I stayed outside,  by the gate,that was around 7pm.  It happened to be a Friday, my dad was going to be home soon. And I knew that going in would be a suicide mission. 

As my dad came back,  I rushed to him and shouted with so much panic and fear "Daddy, Dunni is missing! We haven't seen her for the past five hours!" As my dad was going to reply me,  Aunty Rebecca came, crying. "Sweetheart, can you imagine what your son said to me!  He called me names,  he insulted me and insulted my daughter.  In fact,  he insulted my unborn children!" She said,  shedding crocodile tears. "Daddy,  it's not true o,  Dunni is missing and..." I was interrupted by a slap,  it was my dad.  I can't remember the last time my dad slapped me.  "You this stupid boy! Why in God's name would you do that to my wife.  Don't you know that anything you do to her,  you have done it to me?" My dad yelled at me.  I didn't understand what was going on. Dunni was no where to be found but my dad did not even care about that. All he cared about was 'the woman'.  

My missing sister that was a joke started appearing more real. "Don't bother my dear,  we'll eventually find her,  just get some rest" Aunty Rebecca said to my dad.  And just as if a prophet spoke, my dad entered the room to sleep. It was then that I discovered that I lost my dad.  That wasn't my dad.  He'd been been brainwashed. 

I could not sleep that night,  I was really worried.  There was no one I could go to. My late mom was the only child of her parents who both died in a car accident when she was 19. So,  there was really no family that I know of.  My dad's family members were in Ekiti. He's the only one that left and came to Ibadan. He broke all the communication links with them for reasons best known to him. I really do not have any grandma or grandpa to go to.  I was stranded,  and I was just there. My sister is missing, but my dad is handling it like a joke. 

The next day,  there was nothing that was done. It was as if nothing happened. I was really worried,  when I discovered that there was nothing I could do, I just stayed in my room and cried bitterly.  My sister was the only friend I had,  how can she be missing and there is nothing I can do.  It was really a sad one for me. Aunty Rebecca was just acting as though nothing had happened. I was young and did not know I could go to the police.
Months after months,  I didn't find Dunni.  I just had to accept fate that Dunni is gone forever.  Whether she's dead or alive,  I don't know. i was just so helpless. My Dad kept behaving in ways I could hardly imagine. I knew something was wrong with him... 

What next?  Find out in Episode 6

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT) Episode 4

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT)

EPISODE 4

I never knew a new chapter of my life was about to be opened. I was glad that I had another sister, it didn't struck me that the new 'houseguest' was going to eventually show me the back-door. My sister Dunni loves Dara,  she looks after her and tries to ensure always that nothing happens to her. 

One day,  my sister wanted water,  so she went to the kitchen, opened the fridge, took a bottle-water and just as she was trying to reach for a mug, she mistakenly dropped the mug and it broke.  The sound of the breaking mug made me rush to the kitchen to see what was happening. But when I got there,  Aunty Rebecca was already there. "You this spoilt little girl! Why would you do this!  Don't you know they bought this mug with money? Oh! You think because your father has the money,  you can spoil things? Not under my watch!" Aunty Rebecca started yelling at Dunni as she reached for a broom. She started flogging Dunni. The last time I saw someone being flogged like that was on the TV and that person happened to have stolen a goat. My sister had never been beaten like that before.  I just watched the situation from afar as there was nothing I could do. 

Seeing my sister cry was quite painful,  but i trusted Aunty Rebecca's judgement. I felt she was training my sister to be a better person."Aunty Rebecca can't be wrong". I said to myself. 

Two weeks later,  I was in the sitting room,  watching TV. Aunty Rebecca came and wanted to watch a programme,  so she changed the station.  After watching the programme for about five minutes.  Darasimi who was just about 8 months old cried from inside.  Aunty Rebecca went in to attend to her,  but when she didn't return for about fifteen minutes,  I changed the channel to check if the programme I was watching was still on. That was when Aunty Rebecca came out and the first thing she did was that she gave me a resounding slap,  took the remote from me,  and asked me to go and bring my dad's belt,  she carried me on the chair and gave me 12 lashes with my dad's belt plus one extra.  It would have been more,  but I had to run away.  I ran to my room, i was in pains,  I started rubbing my body.  The pain was just all over.  I had been beaten in some parts of my back that my hands could not reach no matter how hard I tried. 

My sister entered my room and started crying. I wanted to stop crying but I couldn't.  I have never been treated like that in my life before.  Maybe this time,  I know that Aunty Rebecca is wrong. "This is just not right! Nobody deserves to be treated this way. If my mum were to be alive,  this wouldn't be happening to me!  God,  why did you have to take my mum. Why!" I said, crying. I was trying to keep calm because of my sister but I just couldn't. The more I cried,  the more she cried. 

This behaviour continued,  at first,  I thought I wasn't going to tell my dad.  Firstly, because he's very busy,  he has a lot on his mind and I did not want to bother him with the issue. Secondly,  because Aunty Rebecca is not my real mother and I might appear as a rebel. But it had gotten to a stage that I couldn't hold back.  

On a Friday,  my dad came back,  and I wrote a note that I wanted to see him and gave it to him secretly.  So that Aunty Rebecca doesn't find out.  He didn't do anything about it.  I thought he didn't read the note,  so I went to my room. Some minutes later,  my dad came in.  "Tolu my boy,  what is the problem?" I was really excited,  as I narrated all the problems my sister and I had been facing with Aunty Rebecca to him. What he said surprised me. "Tobi, Aunty Rebecca is training you. She wants you both to be better children in the future.  You may not like it now,  but you will definitely thank her later." He said to me.  I replied.  "But daddy,  Aunty Rebecca is..." He cuts in sharply "No buts,  and let this be the first and the last time you report my wife to me." He said to me and left my room immediately. 

My dad, whom I thought was going to save us from the 'witch' totally turned his backs on us and silenced me totally. The treatment continued,  from days we didn't eat till evening,  to days that we were punished for reasons best known to her. We were like slaves but my dad was too busy to see what was going on. 
 
It all continued for two good years and one day, a particular event occurred that almost got me mad... 

What happened, find out in Episode 5.

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT) Episode 3

THE ADVENTURES OF TOLU (TAOT)

EPISODE 3
But after two years of my mother's death, my father made a decision that surprised everyone. He decided to marry another wife. It was not the decision to marry another wife that surprised us all, but who he decided to move on with- Aunty Rebecca!  Yes, our house help. I didn't understand the chemistry, correlation or compatibility. I really do not understand why my dad decided to do that.  Although, Aunty Rebecca was a nice person, and she really cares for us,  I never thought of her as someone who could be my father's wife. 

"Daddy,  is Aunty Rebecca going to be my mummy". I asked my dad with all sense of curiosity. "Tolu,  Aunty Rebecca was your second mummy. She understands you and Dunni perfectly and loves you both unconditionally. There is no other mummy that can be better than Aunty Rebecca". He said to me.  His reasons convinced me to a reasonable extent,  though this did not stop the whole incident from being a surprise. 

Family friends were also surprised by my dad's move. Though they tried to change his mind, it appeared that his mind was already made up and there was nothing they could do. 

Before we knew it,  the introduction was upon us.  We travelled to Ijebu-Ode.  Aunty Rebecca's parents' house was a muddy house, her family members looked quite poverty-striken. Aunty Rebecca happened to be the only one in her family that has a secondary school certificate.  That explains why she speaks good English. I really do not know why someone with that level of education is a househelp. But there was nothing I could do, she was going to become 'our inlaw' anyways. 

The whole event ended,  after they were successful  in collecting so much money from us, and we came back to the city of Ibadan. 

Aunty Rebecca just graduated from househelp to housewife (Sounds like some of those prayer points). Aunty Rebecca was really nice to my Dunni and I. She showered us with so much care and affection that we almost totally forgot about our mum. My dad became four times busier,  because instead of the one business he used to control.  He became the one monitoring all the investments my mum left behind. Aunty Rebecca,  however did not let us feel that our dad was so busy.  She was there for us,  caring for us just like a real mother would.

One day,  I told Aunty Rebecca that I wanted custard. I went to the kitchen and was gisting her about my  classmates. Suddenly,  she ran to the toilet like someone who's going to vomit.  I was so scared, it was quite similar to the way my mum did before she passed on. "But come to think of it,  a woman vomitting is most likely to be pregnant.  Does this mean that we are expecting a baby?" I thought to myself.  It turned out that I  was right. I was so happy that we were expecting a baby.  My sister was even happier.  She was going to be a big sister. She really loves babies though. 

We started expecting a baby,  Aunty Rebecca's tommy became bigger, and she became lazier by the day. I had to learn responsibility by force.  I had to do some house chores.  I really don't understand why they wouldn't employ another house help. Since one was promoted to the position of a 'wife' shouldn't we just employ someone so that the position won't be left vacant. It was Aunty Rebecca's sister that came from the  village and was cooking for us.  Her cooking was very bad.  It's nothing near Aunty Rebecca's

After months of waiting, Aunty Rebecca finally gave birth to a baby girl at one of the best hospitals in Ibadan. We had the naming ceremony.  And as expected,  my father spent MONEY. My father named her 'Darasimi'.The naming ceremony was quite big.  I was very happy about this,  I never knew it was the beginning of my adventure. I never knew a new chapter in my life was about to be opened. . .

What next,  find out in Episode 4.