Story: True Life Story Of An Addict

8 years ago

Story: True Life Story Of An Addict

Goose bump covered my body from head to toe. I almost collapsed while standing. Jesus! God! Why? Am I dreaming? My heart raced up with a speed synonymous to Ferrari Cars. This is not happening; no, it’s not just happening. I called Ini’s number again and the same voice answered me,

Me: I couldn’t hear you clearly earlier sir. Can you please repeat what you said?

Ini: Gentleman, does it sound like I am playing? Your number was the last she called, that was why I called you first. I’ve also called one Madam like that who happened to be her boss. So, I am not kidding. She’s dead. Please the earlier you come here right away to identify her, the better. We are opposite Law School Bus Stop.

Jesus! I started shedding tears right there. My colleagues in the office noticed me and reported to my boss. He walked to my table and asked,

Oga: Femi what’s wrong? Why are you crying?

Me: Sir, I am in pain!

Oga: Pain? What kind of pain? Didn’t you use your medications?

Me: I did sir but this is not about medication (my voice became shaky and incoherent).

Oga: What is it then? What’s going on?

Me: I just lost my fiancée!

Oga: God! How? What happen? Was she sick?

Me: She had an accident few minutes ago. I just received a call from someone at the scene of the accident.

Oga: Jesus! Where did it happen?

Me: Opposite Law School Sir!

Oga: My God! Jesus! This is terrible… Come on, let’s go.

My boss called his driver and asked him to stay on standby. He called his deputy on the floor and told him that he needs to settle something quickly. It was a very strange scenario at the office that morning. Everyone had to stop whatever it is they were doing and focused on my swollen eyes and how soaked my cloth was for sweat and tears. My boss held my hand as we made our way downstairs. People sitting at the reception were like, “what is going on?” One of the security guys who happened to be my good friend came close to ask me what’s wrong but my boss shoved him back,

Oga: Sorry please, not now.

We made our way to the site of the accident which is just about 5mins drive, barring hold up which is always pervasive at Ozumba Mbadiwe Round About. The site of the scene was too gory to behold. There and right there on the floor, I saw my Ini, in the pool of her own blood, covered with a banner. Jesus! I screamed and ran riot. Two hefty guys ran after me and apprehended me before I could get to her lifeless body. The pain was so so unbearable to the extent that some of the on-lookers couldn’t help but cry too; even my boss couldn’t hold back his tears.

Human blood filled everywhere due to the crush from the truck. Some of these truck drivers can be so inhumane. I mean, I have heard some painful stories of how untied containers fell off the trail and crush the unsuspecting vehicles beside them. They don’t take absolute precautionary measures as to how safe their trucks are before plying commuters’ road. Their problems are limitless: from over-speeding to brake failures, bad tyres, drink-driving and recklessness. Truth be told, some of these truck drivers are unskilled, untrained and dangerous amateurs. They smoke hemps, drink heavily and are too in haste. If not for this foolish driver’s impudence, Ini would still be alive, alongside others who lost their lives in that unfortunate incident. The most annoying thing about these people is that they hardly get hurt, let alone die whenever they lose control. Google it people, you will be amazed by the amount of lives we have lost due to these demons plying our roads (apologies for the strong word).

My boss held me and started saying comforting words. To my ears, it was as if I am hearing unmelodious sound of mosquitoes. I was just weeping.

Me: I spoke to her this morning sir when I left home. Why did this happen? Noooo, this is so unbearable.

Oga: The Lord gives, and the Lord takes. To Him belongs all the glory.

I felt like punching his lips right there. The Lord gives and what? I want none of all his sermons. He handed me over to the guys that apprehended me and ordered them to keep a closer look on me. He went to the people gathering up the corpses and said something to them. Few minutes later, a police van arrived and took all the corpses away, except Ini. About a minute or two later, an ambulance arrived from our office and took Ini away. I felt like running after the van but for the guys blocking my movements. My boss and I followed the van to the morgue where Ini’s body was deposited. We were about to leave when a woman came to the morgue. After some words with the workers, she flung her bag away and started crying and rolling on the floor. Her expressions showed that she must be a relative of Ini. A closer look at her face showed that she has a facial resemblance with Ini. “This must be Ini’s sister”, I said to myself. I felt like going to her to explain who I was to Ini but fear catch me. You know as Africans, we have this barbaric way of reasoning. And being a Yoruba boy that I am who understands the myths, ways and thinking of his culture, I refrained from such.

My heart pierced,
My spirit overwhelmed;
Agony engulfed my body,
An untamed anguish of the spirit.

Sages of pain,
Emissaries of death;
Brimstones and rain,
There is no more fighting left!

Heavens wept,
The sky swept away her dirt;
Sod in her depth,
With Ini’s life she flirts.

Away her spirit flew,
Into a place brand-new;
Forces of nature converged,
Upon their responses I lingered.

This wasn’t the plan,
This definitely is the work of Satan;
An innocent life forcefully taken,
I wish her spirit was right there quickened!

Roar! Roar! Roar!
Like the eagle let her spirit soars.
Into the b0s0m of our loving Lord,
Rest on Ini: life you can no more afford.

Oga: Femi it’s obvious you have to go back home. You’re done for today. Do you stay alone?

Me: Yes sir.

Oga: That’s too dangerous. I can’t let you go home alone. Do you have any siblings around?

Me: I don’t sir.

Oga: Ok. Let me call someone.

Guess who he called? DEOLA! How did I know? He placed his call on SPEAKERPHONE, something he hardly does.

Oga: Hello. Good morning

Deola: Good morning sir. How are you doing?

Oga: I am doing fine, and you?

Deola: Same here too.

Oga: Yea, where are you now?

Deola: At work sir. Hope there is no problem?

Oga: Oh that’s good. No, not really. You remember Femi right? The guy I asked you to look after?

Deola: Of course I do, sir. What about him?

Oga: He just lost his fiancée!

Deola: Excuse me?

Oga: You know what? When are you closing today?

Deola: 2pm sir. What did you just say?

Oga: Never mind. You just come to my office first before leaving for home.

Deola: Ok sir.