Story of a Survivor - Season 1 - Episode 19

5 years ago

Story of a Survivor - Season 1 - Episode 19

Money and true colours!

June 13th 2000 it had been four years that my
Mother passed on. MR. Chinedu drove by on
that beautiful morning and picked Caroline, he
said she was needed to sign certain
documents. They were out all day till 7:00PM.

They came in looking happy with smiles all
over. I knew immediately that it must be about
Mummy’s Money.

Mr. Chinedu in his character had summoned us
for discussion when Lawal and Ibrahim pushed the door and sauntered into our Batcher.

Caroline jumped up excitedly and ran to hug
Lawal.

They have paid us! They have paid us our
Mother’s gratuity! She told him.

Wao! Allah be praised! He shouted, lifting
Caroline off her feet and spinning her around.

To say I was surprised is an understatement! I
felt like picking up a knife and do something
terrible but I controlled my anger. I looked as
Mr. Chinedu as he stared with opened mouth
at Caroline; he was shaking his head
disapprovingly. He then cleared his throat to
receive attention. Caroline left Lawal and
returned to her former siting position.

Gentlemen, could you please excuse us for a
moment? He said. We have some family issues
to discuss! Please just ten minutes will be
okay.

Family issues? Lawal asked,
Yes please! Said Mr. Chinedu
Me I no be Family? He asked. So because
Money don come now I no be family again?

Ehn Carol? Are you hearing what this Barger is
saying? So you can sit down there and watch
this bloody Civilian talk to me anyhow?

I am sorry please; I don’t mean it that way!

Mr. Chinedu tried to explain.

Sharrap! Before I scatter your smelly mouth!
Lawal shouted as he advanced dangerously
towards Mr. Chinedu. We all screamed as
Caroline and Ibrahim rushed towards him
begging and restraining him from hitting Mr.
Chinedu You wey dey talk you be family? Or you think say I no know you? Walahi! That one no go happen here o! You sabi the kind of money wey I don spend on Carol? Which one is your own? Lawal continued to shout at the top of his voice, Ibrahim held on to Lawal and told him to excuse us but Lawal was too agitated already.

Imagine o! He challenged, see this bloody
civilian telling me nonsense inside my
Barracks! Walahi! If I no scatter your mouth
today, call me b-----d!

In all of these, Caroline was begging Lawal .I
was boiling inside of me but I knew better than to challenge Lawal there and then. I have seen him in such fit too many times fighting fellow Soldiers of beating up defenseless Civilians for no just cause. I had always wondered what my Sister saw in such a Man. He was a private Soldier and his friend Ibrahim a Lance Corporal.

He eventually left the house swearing to wait
for Mr. Chinedu on his way out of the
barracks.
.
Mr. Chinedu did not stay long; he raised both
hands up and said to us all.