Attai Episode 7

9 years ago

Attai Episode 7

TITLE: Attai
EPISODE: 7

True to my fears Akogu stepped inside the room his
eyes bloodshot and muderous. Why would they not
be, I asked myself. I had already hidden my club
behind my drinking bucket, its handle shooting out
for easy reach incase Akogu decides to become
rough. ''Na you no fit control your hand abi, my sister don
become punching bag for practice abi'' His husky voice assailed me through the air. I kept
my face free from all expression while reciting the
rosary over and over again. I definatly knew I
would make heaven if an accident should occur. Akogu, the most feared thug in my vincinity and
other surrounding areas. He is one who spends most
of his time in the gym building his body until he
became as thick as the hulk. His deep red eyes
blended deeply with his dark features, his face carry
a scar below his eyes which rumour said he received when fighting for his life in prison. Yes, he is an ex-
convict. He had succeeded in killing his assailant that
had tracked him to a silent part of the prison walls
where he had gone to smoke. The fight which was
only seen by prison officials and a prisoner who later
spread the story round was a bloody one. Akogu had received many knife cuts on him but capitulated on
the mistake of his assailant as he la!d down acting
like he was dying from the wounds when his
assailant had let down his guard by turning round.
Akogu had jumped on him from the back inflicting a
deep wound on his neck with his teeth. This has brought the prisoner to his knees making Akogu to
disarm him and drive his own weapon into his heart.

So legend says. That same Akogu who had gone to
prison for beating up the son of a rich man to near
death for mistakenly hitting his sister with his car.
The same Akogu is now in my room. All this went through my head as he gave me a
piercing look, seeming to bore into my soul. A faint
smile appeared on his lips, Akogu smiled at me. I
quickly recited ''the grace'' bidding the world
''goodbye'' because I felt that I should prepare for
the after life. Akogu cleared his voice and spoke, but this time, in a
gentle, husky way: ''So na you self, Attai, you surprise me. I think say na
you protect Ekaite the last time. Wetin make na my
sister you wan come use do practice na'' I shook my head trying to clear it like I did not get
his words. Akogu had spoke to me gently instead of
sending punches at my pot belly. With my breath
sU-Cked in, I replied:

''No be so, I no know wetin come over me. But make
we discuss between us guys, you know say e go
save us the whole trouble of making people here say
we fight. E go give them impression say you and me
na trouble for this area.'' I tried sounding diplomatic. He shot me a look and
the redness in his eyes increased like he was trying
to make up his mind. Finally he said in a calm voice: ''I dey come, make I settle the guys wey dey
outside'' Before turning round, he shot a look at the handle of
my base-ball bat and shook his head. He went out
while I heaved a sigh of relief and quickly hid the
base-ball bat. ''Make all of una dey go, Patricia, we go see for
house'' Those were the only words he said that made the
crowd disperse grudgingly. They were all hoping to
see a fight so they can confirm the legend. My
curtain opened and Akogu stepped into the room
and sat down at the far edge of the bed all to
himself. He was busy clicking and unclicking his tongue while I stood undecided. ''Wetin I go offer you na?'' I asked casually. ''Na wetin you get'' He asked back. Typically Nigerian. I went to my
mini-fridge and brought out a big green bottle, took
two glass cups out. Handed him one cup, filled it and
proceeded to fill mine.

''I hear wetin you do that guy that day. E sweet me
say you show am say no be so them suppose treat
men. When my sister come house dey cry, I suprise
as she mention your name. But I no too send, I just
say make she follow me so that we go come see you
but as we reach outside, na so she attract crowd with her shout and abuse. Sometimes sef, I know say
that girl sabi talk anyhow but as per big brother, I
gats show say I care for her.'' He concluded. I looked at him sipping my Alomo. I
had not expected the speech he just made, this made
my respect for him to grow as I saw that he was not
a villian but one that loves and cares for his sister
and definately those around him. ''Thank you bros for understanding, I go dey put my
temper for check from now on'' I told him. ''How far, igbo follow you come house yesterday, na
high I been dey prepare to high when my sister
come house'' He said. I was surprised but quickly wrapped one
making sure it is big and using more leaves and
ermo. I broke the rule never to smoke in the house. I
lighted it, took a drag and passed the weed to him.
After smoking to his satisfaction, he passed it back to
me and as I took the third drag, a voice spoke: ''My God, so you smoke!!'' It was Ekaite's. Watchout for episode 8