I don't know how long we stayed in the car, thinking, worrying, trying to come up with a solution and yet coming up with nothing. I was about to get frustrated, Uzo was getting frantic. His head was on a swivel as he searched for any threats. He could feel what I was feeling, the noose tightening around our necks, the odds rising against us steadily.
My head hurt as I pushed it against our problem. And just when i thought my mind would break in defeat, falling to the dirt of acceptance that we were fucked, I came up with an idea that was to be our salvation.
I was about to explain my idea to Uzo when he spoke.
"Bro, we can get out of the city, drive straight for calabar. My brother is there, he would protect us. If we leave now, we can escape before they set up roadblocks."
"That is a dumb idea. They would catch us. The roadblocks within the city are one thing, the interstate roadblocks, that's another thing entirely. One of those road blocks would ask to search our vehicle and they would see the guns and cash."
"We would bribe them and…"
"It is too risky. One of them might be suspicious and decide to follow his gut."
"Fine. Do you have a better idea?"
"I actually do," I replied as I pulled out my phone and placed a call to the one man who could save us, Adebiyi Folarin.
A friend in need they say is a friend indeed. I don't think so. I think a friend in need is a bitch looking for a handout. I felt like a bitch as I called my college buddy. I had not spoken to him for years, too busy and ashamed to call until that very moment when I desperately needed his help. It was a shameful thing but I had no choice.
As his line rang, my heart beat faster in my chest. He was my friend, a real gee I could always count on. Back in uni we were like brothers of some sort, like minded young men who had a sense of loyalty between them. But many years had passed and I couldn't help but wonder if our unspoken promise still held.
The line connected, apparently he had not been sleeping or perhaps my call woke him up.
"Seth my gee. What's up now?" he said in a jovial tone that seemed to hold no grudge. His tone made it seem like we hadn't stopped talking to each other for years. I was surprised that he still had my number.
"I'm good bro. How you doing, man? It's been a while."
"You can say that again man. Where have you been,you just ghosted all of us."
"Been busy bro. My apologies."
"Don't sweat it. I have your number, I could have reached out too. But you have done just that. Although, it's a bit of a weird time.I hope all is well."
"Well, I'm in a bit of a pickle man. Are you in your house at Gest Estate."
"Yes…," Folarin said, his voice taking on a confused and unsure tone. "What's up?"
"I need to see you."
"Tonight?"
"Yes. Like now. I'm on my way."
"This isn't a good time bro. Whatever it is, I'm sure we can sort it out tomorrow."
"We can't. Tomorrow would be too late. I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't absolutely necessary. You know me."
Silence held the line hostage for a few seconds as the tension grew to an all time high. Finally, he spoke.
"Fuck," he cursed. "When would you get here?"
"Ten minutes, tops. I'm already in your area."
"Fuck it. Call me when you are at the gate. I will order the boys to let you in. This aint cool Seth, I hope you know that."
"I know,"" I said, too relieved to feel ashamed.
"But I got you. See you soon bro."
"See you soon," I said and hung up.
'Who is that?" Uzo asked as soon as I dropped the call.
"The one man that can save us from this mess."