By Segun Durowaiye

That critical moment when Adeosun saw a dead black He-goat in his living room, he was frightened and flabbergasted beyond measures and had no clue what was happening to him. He had no option than to run away instantly and he fled for his dear life.

Within the next few minutes, people from other flats and neighbourhood had gathered in large numbers in response to his distress call. His screams were just too much to ignore. The whole area was filled with people, wondering what exactly was the matter.

“What is it, Mr. Koleosho?” they asked, “tell us the problem.”

“It’s…it’s a dead, black he-goat I found in my living room! Dear God…somebody wants me dead…help me…They want to kill me!” Adeosun stammered in fear and bewilderment.

“Let’s go and see it,” chorused the crowd.

Adeosun couldn’t muster the courage to follow the crowd to his living room. After so much persuasion, he led them inside.

“Where’s the dead, black he-goat?” a tall, dark-skinned man among the crowd asked.

“It was here I saw it…God!” stammered Adeosun. “I swear, I saw it here!” he repeated. The people that followed him into the living room shook their heads in disbelief as they left him, some hissing contemptuously.

“Mr. Adeosun, please don’t call for help over nothing next time,” an elderly man said. They all thought he was out of his mind or going loony. Adeosun stood there motionless, wondering what embarrassment he had brought to himself. But he was sure he actually saw a dead, black he-goat. His senses couldn’t be playing tricks on him.

The following Monday when Adesoun met Bose, he narrated what he saw the previous weekend. He told her he suspected some people were jealous of their relationship; that he had never experienced such a thing in his entire life. Bose took the matter lightly and told him there was nobody after his life. She said her husband wasn’t even aware of the relationship, and that there was nothing to be afraid of. That same evening Adeosun took Bose to their regular rendezvous, and they made love as usual.

It was 12 noon on Tuesday. Adeosun had reached his office hale and hearty. He was making preparations for his lunch break when he got a message from the receptionist that he had a visitor. He felt disturbed and restless. ‘Who could that be?’ he thought. In a minute he was out to see the visitor. Surprise! Surprise!! Surprise!!!

Standing at the reception was Bose’s husband Taiye Ajisafe, he was boiling and fuming with uncontrolled rage.

“That’s the man asking for you,” the fair-skinned receptionist gestured at Adeosun.

“Yes, may I help you, Mister…?” Adeosun asked the utterly enraged Ajisafe. “Of course, yes!” answered Ajisafe. “I’m the husband of the lady you’ve been dating for quite some time now!” he said.

“You mean me?” Adeosun asked again. “Yes, you! If you don’t steer clear of my wife you’ll meet your waterloo in no time! You’re playing with the fangs of a deadly snake! I’m giving you the last warning! If you don’t stop it you’ll die before long, I assure you,” the young man said and bolted out of the reception room. Adeosun quickly did an introspective search. ‘Yes! This must be the husband of Bose, the only married lady I’m dating among my numerous girlfriends. What should I do now?’ he thought. He was totally shocked and frightened. ‘How did this young man get to know my office? He must have been aware of my relationship with his wife for a long time, and must have been trailing me,’ he thought again.

That same day, in the evening, when Adeosun met Bose, he told her about the surprise visit of her husband to his office and the warning to him never to fiddle with his wife again.

“God, how did he get to know your office?!” Bose asked the bewildered Adeosun…

To be concluded.

Interested sponsor/sponsors for this

SHORT STORY column should please contact: 08023015115 or 08055356855.