When darkness had taken the best part of the atmosphere, Evan and his wife sat side by side on one long cushion found in the one room apartment. Their lives gradually began to change as a result of the termination of the husband's job. Though the wife was happy, but Evan seemed sad. Beautiful Adaugo rested in the mother's arms, sucking the best part of her breast.
"My heartbeat, quiting the job was the best decision." Alice broke the silence. "I do not like that family a bit. Let's wait and see the will of your boss later." she added.
"When will that be? Ten to twenty years to come? I'm just sad such a man has to die." Evan objected painfully.
"After all you witnessed at the mountain with his P.A, you still believe that man was a good man? Remember Jimmy and how his mother died. I still believe he has a hand in it."
"No..." A creepy sound at the door interrupted their worrisome conversation. Both stared at the closed door to see a white envelope slid inside the room through the opening at the base of the door. They fearfully glanced at each other while the husband stood up, slowly walked to the envelope, picked it up, opened it and brought out a paper from where he read aloud thus, " You both are the only parents I know. I'm still alive. I'll fine you when I avenge my mother. Jimmy."
Alice dropped the baby, she stood up after listening to it. The look on their faces showed how happy they were to know that Jimmy was still alive. Alice took the paper from her husband. "How can a five year old write this?" she asked. "Though the hand writing seems like a kid's" she added. Evan became dumbfounded.
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17 YEARS LATER.
Her beauty could cause trouble while her golden heart could trigger tears if exposed. She is only but seventeen years but if analyzed, she will grow to a tall damsel. She has her mother's face; pointed nose and a narrow face. Her hair dangles behind her if she shakes them to minimize distraction. She isn't fat neither is she slim. Hence her buttocks is growing fantabulously just like her breast. Her name is Adaugo. She wore a fairy gown that limited to her knees, walking majestically along the road with a bag in her hands. Obviously, she was on her way back from shopping.
Meanwhile, Jimmy, a twenty two year old boy could be seen inside a Lexus before a building. He relaxed on the owner's seat with his legs crossed. In his hands was an image of the particular man who pulled the trigger on his mother's head. Suddenly, he saw him driving out from the building. He looked at him then looked at the image in his hands. "It's him. I want him alive." he instructed his men.
"Okay, boss." The driver ignited the car, running after the man's car. Just at Adaugo's lane, the driver double crossed the man's car. The speed had Adaugo fallen beside the road. She screamed. Her voice attracted Jimmy's attention. On the ground she saw gun-men then screamed again with eyes closed. Until the man was kidnapped by Jimmy's men, she never opened her eyes.
"Go! Go! Go!" Jimmy's men shouted.
The driver clutched the car, dragged the gear-pad and the tyres set in motion. Meanwhile, Jimmy's eyes had not departed from the girl on the ground since they passed her. To him, it was like passing his destiny, so he instructed his men saying, "Stop the car!"
"Boss, the police might be here." One of his men adviced him.
"Somewhere along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than to do something for others." Jimmy replied him then stepped down from the car. He briskly walked to Adaugo in a jean trouser and shortsleeve shirt. On his feet were snickers. He cut his hair fashionably low thereby increasing his handsomeness. He met the poor girl, stretched a hand to her and said, "Grab my hand and stand on your feet."
Adaugo stared at him then gently took his hand as an afterthought. She stood upright while Jimmy picked her bag up and handed it to her.
"Thanks for the help. You just saved my life" she said.
Jimmy smiled. "The real point is that we all need help somewhere along life's path whether we think we will or not. And, if you are the one giving and helping, just remember this: no matter what happens later, you will always be secure in the fact knowing that you have remained strong and true to assist those that need your help." he said.
Adaugo admired his intelligence.
"You're alive. That's happiness." Jimmy continued. "Life is a beautiful journey that is meant to be embraced to the fullest every day. However, that doesn't mean you always wake up ready to seize the day, and sometimes need a reminder that life is a great gift." he smiled again at her then hurried back to the car. Adaugo fell in love with him instantly, she wished to see him again. It was a pity she didn't even get his name.
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Mrs. Vivian settled in Canada. She opened her son's room to see him studying on a reading table. Though the boy was just seventeen year old but was taller than his age. For his life he had studied his late father's book, his way of life and his thinking strategy. He had just come to the end of the book, so he closed it.
"Nwachukwu." the mother called him. "You said on the phone that you needed to see me." she added. Vivian had aged the more but money and good life diminished the evidence.
Nwachukwu her son stood up, took off his eyeglasses then asked, "Who is Adaugo?"
Bemused the mother returned the question. "How did you know the name?"
Nwachukwu didn't reply rather stared at his mother with hands behind him.
"She was the baby that opened my womb. The daughter of your father's driver. Any problem?" She asked.
"No, mother. I'm ready to go to Nigeria to face Leonard. I'm prepared for death because it's the way to stay alive. The surest way to prolong our lives is to live with excitement and enthusiasm. By continuing to love and to learn we stay young. People who seek wisdom and live intensely feel immortals and paradoxically, they are always prepared for death. Death should not surprise us. When we accept this, we can make the most of our lives." he carried the book and walked out. Mrs. Vivian did not only see late teacher Nwachukwu in him, he also saw her late husband....