Tiit For Tat - S01 E20

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3 years ago

Tiit For Tat - S01 E20

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 20

The Interview and Relocation

“Loyalty is the strongest glue which makes a relationship last for a life time.” – Mario Puzo

[Third Person’s POV]

Soon the robbers forced open the door to the underground chamber,

their guns in hand as if to shoot a notorious terrorist.

Sadly they found…….. No one in the underground room!!!

They were angry and turned on Gina.

“I thought you said he’s here,”

Eastman asked.

“Yes, That’s where I saw Cassan

dra hiding him.

“Then where is he?” thundered another thug, Ferro.

“I ….I don’t know,” Gina answered nervously.

The gang was contemplating on what to do to Gina. Then they heard the sound of a siren. Quickly,they broke into a run and left the hospital premise.

Prior to the arrival of the police, a journalist by name LordWyn was going to his workplace when he spotted the incident that the hospital was under siege.

He called the state Commander of police and informed him about it. The State Commander realised if he didn’t do anything about the situation, the journalist might send it into the news and he would be forced to answer questions he wouldn’t want to.He decided to send his boys to stop the siege.

It was at that point that the gang heard the siren of the police and bolted.

Under normal circumstances,

the police was supposed to chase the gang but they didn’t. It was all in the game plan. The State Commander of police just wanted to save his face from the media.

[Mike’s Viewpoint ]

I was in the underground room for about ten minutes but I was feeling very uncomfortable. The air was stale and bad. I realised staying in that room would only speed up my death so I decided to leave the room and find somewhere else to hide .

In any case, I had anticipated that If the criminals coerce the health workers, one of them might surrender and sell me out to the gang. Perhaps , show them where I was hidden. With all those possibilities warring in my head,I decided to come out and hide somewhere else.

As if I knew it. I came out and hide behind a hedge at the extreme end of the storeroom when I heard voices. It belonged to the gangs.

I saw the insignia on their uniform

“BLACK COBRA. ”

They looked quite disappointed when they didn’t found me in the underground room. They angrily asked the nurse why I was not at the place she claimed I was hiding. Gina said she didn’t know. The gang was contemplating on what they would do next when a siren sounded in the distance. They broke into a run.

The problem I have with the police is ,if you really want to catch someone why should you warn him that you are coming? By sounding the siren,the robbers were aware of danger and they bolted. I was relieved. The gang has escaped. Another failed mission on their part.

Everyone in the hospital was surprised to see me come out from my hideout. Gina was stunned but I ignore her. She nearly gave me away. To me she was like Judas Iscariot.

“I’m sorry Mike, “she said. Still I Ignored her.

When I went into the ward, it was on the lips of everyone that Cassandra was a heroine. I asked one of the health workers why everyone was lauding Cassandra. One of the nurses told me the full story, how Cassandra stood her ground and refused to give out my hideout despite deadly threats from the gang to the point that one of the gangsters even pulled his trigger while the gun was on her head.

My heart sank as if that action was about to restart again. I exclaimed, “WOW ”

Cassandra was able to do all that?

“But where is she ?” I asked.

” In the General ward,” the nurse responded, ” Her wounds were being treated.The doctor wanted to do a whole system scan on her.”

“Okay,thank you,”I said to the nurse who gave me the answer.

I entered the ward where Cassan

dra was being treated. She stood up when she saw me.

Then I hugged her and held her tight, saying “thank you, Cassandra. I’m really grateful you haven’t betrayed me even though you reach the edges of death.”

She smiled casually and said, “it’s because of…….”

I turned round when I sensed somebody was at my back. She was Gina.

“Excuse me for a few minutes,Gina” I told her.

“Ok.” She said,looking at Casandra and I suspiciously.

I knew I was attracted to Cassan

dra. Before I could think of my next move, Cassandra gave me a card saying, “this is my number, Mike.”

I also gave mine to her. Then I turned my attention to Gina.

“Yes Gina,What can I do for You?”

She said casually, “Tife want to see you,” and turned to leave.

I held her hand and she turned back quickly.

“Gina, I don’t have any problem with you.On the contrary I appreciate all that you have done . If not because of you Cassandra would have being shot,”I said.

I could see Gina’s face lit with joy.

It’s good you intervene in time,” I continued.

“Thank you for seeing it from that perspective,” She said. You are

Welcome.”

Tife was still on the hospital bed when I entered the ward. We began chatting.

Me: Hi Tife

Tife: Hei, Mike. I guessed you went to talk to your girlfriend imme

diately you come out from your hole.

Me: Girlfriend? Who is my girl

friend?

Tife: You know her,stop pretending.

He began laughing quite loudly,then his ribs hurt and he stopped laughing.

Me: Who?

Tife: Cassandra. You love that girl and I think she love you too.

Me: That’s enough. Let’s talk about your experience.

Suddenly his mood switched from glee to melancholy.

Tife: My brother. Words cannot explain what I experienced in that mortuary but I will just tell you the essentials. Your girlfriend took me to the…..

Me: You mean Cassandra took you…

Tife: (Smiling ) Whatever…”

Then he continued his story.

“Cassandra took me to hide in the mortuary. She said no sane person would be looking for someone who is alive among the dead. I stayed with the mortician for about five minutes when the robbers attacked the hospital.

Cassandra told the mortician something before she left. That was the first time I stepped into a mortuary. All the compartments were fully loaded with dead bodies.

I cast my eyes on the floor and saw hundredth of bodies sprawled on the floor. I became afraid and told the mortician to take me out of the morgue.

Me: I thought you are brave.

Tife: Bravery without common sense is folly.

Me : It’s true. Just continue.

Tife : Suddenly I felt a sharp pain around my neck and became unconscious. I didn’t know how long I remained asleep but when I woke up, I saw myself between two dead bodies,one at my right ,the other at my left .

Me: Jesus Christ of Nigeria!!!

Tife: Thou shall not call the name of the Lord they God in vain.

He continued narrating his ghostly encounter.

“There were also bodies parked in the compartment above me. I was almost naked except for my boxer short.

I wanted to move but didn’t know how to. I was keenly aware any wrong move could cause the dead bodies above me to fall on me because there was a gap in the top compartment that the bodies could have easily fallen through. Flickers of fear entered my heart and I shouted for HELP!

All of a sudden ,I heard a loud commotion in the room.

Human voices. I gathered courage and move swiftly downward,praying my foot wouldn’t hit the corpse on the floor.

Suddenly, I tripped off and came down faceward lying exactly on top of a dead beautiful lady. Her tantalizing lifeless breast acciden

tally entered my mouth.

Me: Did you s--k It?

Tife: Yes, accidentally. It was warm.

Me: kaaai. Are you Necrophilic?*

I looked at Tife and he looked back at me. We both broke into laughter.

It was amazing Tife still had his sense of humour after all that happened to him.

He continued the narration…

Tife:I thought I heard the dead woman talking to me. I screamed loudly,like a child about to be caned mercilessly by his school teacher.

Suddenly,a cold hand touched my back and grabbed me solidly. I turned round with aggression to ward it off. Then I saw the mortician who tranquilized me.

He told me the hiding game was over. I asked him if the gangs came to look for me at the mortuary. I was amazed he said they actually came into the mortuary to confirm what they were told, that I was at the mortuary.”

Our conversation was cut short by my aunt’s call.

Me: Hi Aunt Sandra.

Aunt:**No reply.

Me: Errhhh,Welcome back.

Aunt:********No response.

—Few seconds later—

Aunt: What happened in my house in my absence?

Why are things scattered here?

Where are you?

Me: ermm.I …Some people attacked….”

Aunt: Come home right now .

I knew there was trouble. I collected Tife’s Number and bid Cassandra goodbye. She looked quite disappointed.

“I would see you soon, ‘Sandra,” I promised. Quickly, I took a car and went home.

~~At my aunt’s Residence~~

When I reached my aunt’s residence she vigorously asked me questions.

Aunt: Tell me what happened here.

Me: I was attacked by some hoodlums yesterday night.

Aunt: Why can’t this criminals just leave you alone?

Me: I don’t know.

Aunt: Hmmm. So the hoodlums shot Joe and My dog, Ronida?

I knew my aunt loved that dog so much. It showed in her facial expression. She almost cry.

Me: Yes.

Aunt: Why didn’t you call the police.

Me: I don’t trust the police.

Aunt: Hmmm. I don’t think you are safe here anymore.

Me: It’s true.

Aunt: You need to relocate to another place.

Me: Aunt,that will affect my education.

Aunt: eheee,that reminded me.

Your headmaster sent a letter early this morning. The post-master brought It before I returned. It was placed under the gate.

Me: What is the letter about?

Aunt: I don’t know.

Me: can I have it now.

(She handed the letter over to me)

Aunt: I hope it’s good news.

I opened the envelope and picked the letter. I began reading it but needn’t finish before knowing the message contained in the letter.

Me: It’s not a good news.

Aunt: What is it about?

Me: I have been dismissed from school.

Aunt: Dismissed,Why?

Me: Because I was accused of drug dealing and fire arms?

Aunt: What? This is serious.

Me: Yea. (I was sad)

Aunt: As it is now ,You need to relocate and start your life afresh. Your presence in this house had brought a lot of hoodlums here. Who knows, next time they might kill or rape me just like …..”

She paused.

I knew what she wanted to say .

Me: Don’t worry,aunt. I knew I’m not safe here so I will leave soon.

Aunt:I’m sorry ,Mike.

Me: It’s ok. Auntie Sandra.

*The next day.*

I was packing my few belongings and was almost ready to leave my aunt’s house when she came in. She gave me some money to rent a room at which ever place I wanted. Just as I was leaving,my attention was drawn to the News Headline on Galaxy TV Channel:

ASSASSINS ATTACK ST. PAUL MISSIONARY HOSPITAL YESTER

DAY. BEAT PATIENTS AND STAFF BUT ONE NURSE REMAINED DEFIANT

An armed gang attacked St.Paul Missionary hospital,beating and maiming Nurses,patients and other staff yesterday

They attacked the private hospital but did not dispossess patients of their belongings. It was apparent they were looking for two boys, one in particular,called Mike Ebuka, the son of the late Billionaire Bill Ebuka.

The lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer,Joseph Oyeyemi who confirmed the incident on Yesterday said the gang attacked the hospital, subjecting patients and their relatives, as well as staff, to mental torture and beating.

He said a distress call was made to the Lagos Division, and in quick response, the Divisional Police Officer, led the anti- gang squad to the scene.

The gang on sighting the police took to their heels and escaped into a nearby bush.

The police spokesman said while investigation was ongoing, the command got information about earlier gang escapades of the suspects somewhere in the slum areas of Lagos.

Now listeners,This is the most surprising part of the whole incidence. One of the nurses on Duty called Cassandra Adewole decided to defy the order of the gang when she was threatened to give away the hideout of Mr. Ebuka Mike…..”

My Aunt stood behind me watching the news.

It was obvious to me Cassandra’s heroism didn’t only stopped within the parameters of the Hospital.

I was amazed when Cassandra appeared on the TV set and she was interviewed by one of the famous TV presenters called Jean -Marie.

Interview

Jean- Marie : You are welcome, heroine nurse.

Cassandra: Thank you.

Jean- Marie : Tell me, is it true you remain bold and defiant to the gang’s instructions?”

Cassandra: Partially. I was just doing what my mind was telling me.

Jean- Marie : wow.

Cassandra: huh,huh

Jean- Marie : was a gun really put on your head to tell them what they were looking for?

Cassandra: Yes

Jean- Marie : Do you realised you are now a national Heroine.?

Cassandra: Not really.

Jean- Marie : were you really willing to die protecting Mike.

Cassandra: I think the right question should be ,” were you really willing to die protecting love?

Jean- Marie : Well. Well. Since you ask the “Right” question,What will be your respond to that?

Cassandra: Yes. I’m willing to die for love.

Jean- Marie : If I may asked,What do you mean by ” die protecting love?”

Cassandra: I have love for every one,my patients,my friends.

Jean- Marie : wait,wait,wait. You mean you can do the same thing for me just because you have love for every one?

Cassandra: Exactly. John 15 : 13 said ” Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Jean Marie: Wow. You know the bible verses too. You must be a strong Christian.

Cassandra: Not really. I’m a realist and a free thinker.

Jean- Marie : Oh,I see. I thought you are in love with Mike. At least that was what one of your colleagues seemed to suggest.

Cassandra:One of my colleagues?

Jean – Marie: Yea, you seemed surprise.

Cassandra: Not really.

Jean- Marie: Is it true.

Cassandra: No. It’s just a rumour

Jean- Marie : Are you sure?

Cassandra: yea, I’m very sure.

Jean- Marie : Alright Cassandra, it has been nice talking to you.

Cassandra: Me too.

Alright,Viewers,we just talked to Cassandra, the hero nurse who had shot herself into the limelight by her sheer show of bravado in the face of death.

Let’s move on to other news.

The W.H.O has finally declared COVID-19 a global Pandemic. Following a global surge in the cases…….”

I left my aunt’s house.

Visiting Cassandra

I kept wondering if Cassandra really meant what she said on Telly or she was just trying to be profes

sional on set. I can’t vouch for that.

When I left my aunt’s residence, I called Tife severally but he didn’t pick my call. I was very worried. I decided to go to the hospital to check up on him.

When I reached the hospital,I was told my friend had been transferred from the hospital to another one for security reasons. His father came for him.

I was amazed he didn’t bother to informed me about it.

Sadness was written all over my face. Tife had become part and parcel of me.

I was about to leave when a soft voice called me from behind, ” Mike.”

I turned and our eyes met. She was Cassandra.

She said ,”Your friend was taken to another hospital. I thought you know.”

Me: No, I don’t. He didn’t inform me.

Cassandra : Oh, I remember his phone was missing.

Me: Ok.

Cassandra:Are you going home?

She looked at me sensually.

Me: Well. My aunt asked me to get another accommodation for myself.