I was tired about the number of calls I was getting, even Yewande called me to offer her condolences. I was waiting for Timi's call before I switched off my phone. There was a packet of cornflakes in the kitchen, I made some for Toun but she didn't touch her plate, I could tell she was weak because she kept sleeping and waking up.
Finally Timi called.
Me : what did they decide?
Timi : school has been shut down till further notice, they brought in the police to seal of the campuses.
Me: When are you coming around?
Timi: very soon…should I get you guys anything?
Me: Please get valium for Toun..
Timi : The deputy vice-chancellor is missing, does Jafar know anything about it?
Me : How would I know?
Timi : The police will start raids soon, that place might not be safe for you..
Arrest was the least of my problems now..
Jafar came into the house some minutes after 4pm; he had dark shades on, so also the guys that came in with him. Toun was sleeping in the room, I didn't want to disturb her so I had stepped into the Living room where there were a couple of magazines I flipped through.
Jafar : Tana whats up?
Me : I am good..i want to talk to you
Jafar looked at me, trying to decipher what I wanted to talk to him about..
Jafar : give me some minutes, you can wait for me in front of my room..
I did as I was told..
They were talking in hush tones, preventing me from hearing what they were saying.
Jafar : how is Toun?
Me: she is sleeping..
He opened his door and ushered me in. I remembered the last time I was in his apartment, when my life was still normal…I sat on the only available chair..
Me : where is the DVC?
I wasn't in the mood to beat around the bush..
Jafar : I don't know
Me : are you lying to me? Cause I heard the police will start their raid soon
Jafar : I am not lying to you…
Me: what will we do about the raid?
Jafar : have you eaten?
Me: yes I have
Jafar : Toun?
Me: she isn't in the mood..
Jafar : what's her favorite food?
Me : Jafar, what will we do about the raid?
Jafar : just tell me her favorite food
Me : meat…she likes fried turkey meat…
He made a call as he pulled his shirt; he was left with his singlet and slacks.
Jafar : You shouldn't be worried about the raid, we would have it sorted out..
Me : what of Eli, where is he?
Jafar : He is in Ijebu-Igbo, moves around with twenty guys, fully equipped.
Me : he is after your neck too?
Jafar : Yes, it's a matter of time before the real storm arises..
Me: I heard the elections have been cancelled and school shut down?
Jafar : yap, students are leaving towns in droves..
Me : you were at the park?
Jafar : times like this, each group places informants at the parks in Ijebu-igbo and Ago-iwoye. Any body seen trying to leave town will be brought down, your group or theirs.
Me: why?
Jafar : For a member of one's group to try to skip town, its cowardice. For the other group, it's the easiest target.
Me : what of those that would want to leave town with private cars?
Jafar : There are only two routes into Ago and Igbo, through Ode or Ilesan….
Me : oh…
Jafar : Toun will eat soon, I hope you know where her folks reside?
Me : Yes..
Jafar: because she is leaving town tonight…
Me: how?
Jafar: 'Last-Born' will take her, he is the guy you spoke to this morning..you would be going too…
Me : I don't want to go yet, I owe it to Abayomi…but Toun is unstable…so I think it's a good idea…but you said any confra guy leaving town will be felled?
Jafar : Last-Born is a smuggler, when would you go?
Me : when you take care of Eli..
Jafar : it's going to get really bloody, miss. Reports have it that the government is releasing weapons to Eli's people..
Me : I am stubborn o…just so you know..
Jafar : oh….that I know…