It's been a week and, since Cyril and his dearly beloved Veronica spoke on the phone. The conversation had left Cyril embittered but he loved Vero - as he called her even though she hated the name - too much to let her go. Yes she was demanding and not always the understanding type. If she wanted something, she would nag it out of him and if he couldn't come forth with her demands she would berate him nonetheless.
It had been clear to many of Cyril's friends that Veronica was not in love with him. There were a lot that could be pointed out but every time they brought up the matter he would shun them all up with his favourite maxim -
" love is understanding and patient"
- as if it's so easy.
But Cyril had stuck by her through out, they've been in relationship for two years, and not once has she ever visited him. She would say that a miasma hung around his house. He still didn't give up on her, often he would go visit her but her reactions weren't always pleasant.
He was forced to go enquire from the Oracle because he wanted to able to give her all she wanted.
As he sat in his room thinking of how he would perform his tasks.
How he was going to approach the matter at hand and make sure no one finds out his plot and schemes.
He thought about how life would be if he was to become rich and be able to have the kind of life that he had always wanted. Be respected by men and women alike.
He wouldn't have to beg before he eats or cower before people just so he can get a place to sleep.
How his mother would be taken care of and his siblings would be able to finish their education.
It gave him hope and zeal to pursue and accomplish what he wanted to do.
He thought about the first task he must perform.
His dream had been pretty vivid but he didn't think Akpara Ekpe would ask such a thing.
"Why such high price for success?" He thought to himself.
××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××× ×××××××××××××××××
Nonso was not one to be very thoughtful and calm, his life had always been on the edge. He had left his father's house when he was only seventeen years old to join the hustle of life and It had been 12 years since. He couldn't go back home empty handed to his poor parents. He needed them to know he was a man of his own and could cater for their needs. But now his task had demanded something truly beyond his imagination.
Nonso was a bright student in his school days but his greed and bad company had always pushed him off track.
He was known to be stubborn and pig-headed, never giving heed to instructions and never having remorse for anything he had done wrong.
He was always referred to as a psychopath but surprisingly his task had left him crushed.
"What am I going to do?
I thought this was going to be easy, instead I find myself in such a fix.
I cannot do what the Oracle asks of me.
No I cannot."
{Meanwhile}
Cyril had called Veronica and asked her out on a date, perhaps he wanted to break the news and tell her he was going to be rich soon. He had promised to take her to a beautiful hotel and make her day one for her to remember.
She had never heard Cyril speak with such cogency and it pleased her, perhaps he had come to his senses and was going to give her the hundred thousand she asked of him. They had agreed to meet up at 'Layman's hotel and inn', 7:30 pm.
Cyril had prepared himself, he showered, he combed his hair, sprayed his clothing with an expensive perfume. He was going to look all tidy and sleek.
"nothing will go wrong" he muttered to himself.
Veronica had announced to her friends that she was going to spend the night out on a date with Cyril at 'layman's hotel and inn'. She was quite cheerful and seemed bright.
It was already 7:27 pm and still there was no sign of Veronica, he had booked the room that they'll be staying in. He had arranged everything in place to make the night special and thrilling for both of them.
At 7:35, a taxi drove into the hotel and Veronica alighted off the cab. He rushed to where she was and paid the taxi driver, like a gentleman he held her gently by the hand and they made their way to the room. On their way she asked him if he had been able to come up with the hundred thousand she requested.
He nodded but said nothing.
As they walked through the corridor of the hotel, Cyril began to think. "So if It had not been for the money she wouldn't have come to meet me."
He became angry and aggrieved.