THE TAXI DRIVER 6

 

The Taxi Driver 

Episode 7

 

“I have been thinking, why not go back to school? You obviously can’t continue driving taxies because of the situation at hand.” Ajunwa said to Ejike. They were sitting under one of the shades in Ajunwa’s house. A bottle of McDowell’s wine was on the table and both of them had glass cups in their hands. 

It is now one month since Ejike started living with Ajunwa and boredom was creeping into his life because he never goes out. He stays indoors all day for the fear of being found out by Uju or the DPO.

“Of course I can’t continue with the taxi business. It’s clear that my life is in danger. But the thing is, I don’t know what else to do. I have being a taxi driver all my life. That’s all I know how to do.” Ejike responded. He took a sip of the drink and swallowed hard. His Adam’s apple stuck out as he swallowed the drink. He was staring into the vacant space.

“I just said you could go back to school. You once had a dream of getting a degree. You had the dream of becoming an engineer. What happened to that dream? Your WAEC result is very good. You are still young and you still have your intellect. Go back to school bro.” Ajunwa said.

“I don’t have the resources. How do you expect me to pay my fees? I’m barely recovering from the expenses I made during my wedding, and then the crisis that follow. Look, bro, I’m confused. My wedding to Uju completely ruined my life.” Ejike said. He was shedding tears. Ajunwa was greatly moved.

“Look, stop crying. The worse has not happened. Uju wanted to kill you, but here you are. You are still breathing. You are going back to school and I will be the one to pay your school fees. In fact, you are moving abroad to study at Oxford University. I have made all the arrangements for your journey. By next week, you are leaving Nigeria for the UK.” Ajunwa said.

“Is this some kind of joke or what?” Ejike asked. He fidgeted in his chair and turned facing Ajunwa directly.

“Are you for real?” Ejike asked.

“I’m not a comedian bro. Take a look at this.” Ajunwa said as he handed Ejike a parcel containing some documents.

“Everything you will need to travel is there. I have applied for admission for you and you have been accepted to study Engineering. You are leaving next week.” Ajunwa said. The glass cup Ejike was holding fell on the concrete interlocks and broke into tiny shards. He was so shocked that the only thing he could do was shouting and cries.

“Stop crying bro. You are embarrassing me. If I don’t help you, who will I help? You are just like a brother to me. Remember it was your parents who registered my WAEC for me. I owe my success to them.” Ajunwa said as he and Ejike hugged each other tightly. A week later, Ejike moved to the UK.

Meanwhile, Uju is not finding it rosy at the DPO’s house. It has been hell since their wedding was sealed in court.

Two weeks after their marriage, Uju had a miscarriage. She had a serious fight with the DPO such that she was beaten black and blue. She ended up in the hospital where she spent many days before recovering. 

“What have I got myself into? So, this DPO is a wife beater? My God, my life is ruined.” Uju said after she was discharged from the hospital. As she arrived home that day, the DPO beat her again because she said she was too tired to cook for him. Life has become hellish for Uju. There is no day that passes that she does not receive a slap or a serious insult.

Uju started shrinking in shape, size and beauty. The once beautiful lady turned into a dark horse. No one who knew her before could recognize her anymore. The DPO has turned her life into hell. But just when she thought she was suffering, something else happened.

One evening, Uju was sitting outside the house receiving fresh air when a woman walked into the DPO’s compound.

“I see he has married another wife. You are his latest punching bag right?” The woman asked when she saw Uju.

“I’m no body’s punch bag.” Uju answered.

“Don’t deny it young lady. I can see it in your face that you are suffering. The DPO, your husband is beating you. Stop covering it up. Why do women protect men that beat them? You better pack your things and leave this house before you end up with one eye like me.” The woman said. Uju got confused.

“And who are you? Who are you to tell me to leave my husband’s house?” Uju asked. She was trying to cover up her shame and put up a strong face. But this was not working with the woman who was well into her 30s. The woman knew what she was saying.

“I have not come to collect the DPO from you. He belongs in my past. But just so you know, I was married to him for five years. I left him when he beat me until I got blind in one eye. Also, I never had a child for him because I had ten miscarriages because of beating. I know he has deceived you with sweet words to marry him. Also, he is very good in bed, and this is what he uses to trap women in his hell. I advise you to run now that you are not dead. Forget the gbola and leave. Look at your face, you look like an old monkey because of beating.” The woman said before leaving the compound.

As she walked away, the woman did not turn back. She behaved like an angel with some kind of good news and she walked away after delivering the message.

Uju stood up and went inside. She went into the DPO’s private room and rummaged through his documents. She saw a marriage certificate belonging to the DPO and the woman who just walked away.

“Oh my God! This is even worse than I think. What did I get myself into.” Uju said as she went and leaned on the wall. She wept bitterly. Her heart became the definition of sorrow.

Just then, her phone rang.

“Hello.” Uju said.

“Your husband is dead.” The voice said.

“What? What do you mean? How? What happened to him?” Uju asked.

“He was shot by armed robbers during an exchange of gunfire. There is a document he asked us to give to you. Please come and pick it up at the police station.” The voice from the other end said. Uju rushed out and went straight to the police station.

When he got there, she met a strange face who introduced himself as the DPO’s lawyer. He handed a document to Uju and she immediately opened it to read.

“Dear Uju, I wrote this letter in my death bed. I have wronged you and there is nothing I can do to amend my ways. My time on this earth is up. I have lived a very rough life and it has ended very tragically. I have no child of my own because I killed them through miscarriages. I’m sure God is punishing me for my crimes. That is why I was shot today.”

“I’m very sorry for all the evil I did against you. I’m sorry for turning your life from sweetness into hell. I ruined your marriage because of my greed and desire your body. This was wrong. Forgive me. I’m aware that your husband was innocent of the armed robbery allegation, but I kept using it to sleep with you because I’m a troubled man. My first wife left me because of my evil heart. Please, find a place in your heart to forgive me.”

“I know I can never get a chance to make things right. Your husband is dead and you lost your pregnancy. There is nothing that can make those evils right. But I have instructed my lawyer to handover all my property and assets in the bank to you. I’m not paying you off. I just trust that you deserve it considering all you lost since I met you. Please, forgive me. Goodbye.” The letter read.

After reading the letter, Uju was stupefied. She said nothing to the lawyer. She just walked out of the police station. A week later, she sold all the property and donated the whole money to the orphanage.

Watch out for Episode 8 which is the last.

THE TAXI DRIVER 5

 The Taxi Driver

 Episode 5

“I’m afraid my husband might find out one day. I keep telling him I have night shift in the hospital. He might start suspecting me. I think he is already suspecting my movement and phone calls. I’m so scared! I can’t keep doing this anymore. The lies are becoming too much.” Uju said. The time is 9pm and she had just arrived the DPO’s house to pass the night.

“Why not divorce him? Divorce him and marry me.” The DPO said. Uju was bewildered by his suggestion.

“How could you think of a thing like that? Are you crazy? Have you lost it? How could you ask me to divorce my husband barely a month after our marriage? What will my family think of me?” Uju asked. The DPO was coming close to her and he wanted to kiss her but she pushed him off with anger on her face.

“Come on Uju, don’t pretend as if you are not worried about the tight corner you are in. I mean, you have slept with me without your husband’s knowledge. You are carrying my baby and you are still sleeping with me almost every night. All these are bad enough. I think divorce is the best so that you can finally marry me and settle the whole thing. By the time you marry me, you will stop being worried of your husband finding out about us. Period!” The DPO said. He sounded very serious and convincing and Uju was beginning to listen to his words with rapt attention. 

“Was this your plan all along? You planned to use tricks and lies to snatch me off from my husband? The man I fell in love with and married? Why are you like this?” Uju asked.

“I’m not evil! I’m just being practical and realistic. That’s how life works. Look, there is no way of coming out of this situation. Or what do you plan to do? I’m not prepared to let you go and abandon me. My heart and everything I own now belongs to you and my unborn child. I can’t even sleep a night without you. And I know you feel the same which is why you keep coming to my house.” The DPO said. He went to the fridge and brought out a bottle of red wine. He also brought two cups and poured the wine for the two of them.

“I’m seriously worried right now.” Uju said as she took a sip of the wine from the glass cup. The red wine poured on her lips and left a mark like lipstick.

“What do you want to do if you cannot divorce him?” The DPO asked. He was looking at Uju directly in the eyes. At that time, they were both sitting on the sofa. The DPO took Uju’s hand and he was playing with it, throwing it up and down like a tennis ball. Uju’s voice has calmed down. Her heart was seriously worried and she has been secretly thinking of how to come out of the tight corner she found herself.

“I ask again, what are you going to do?” The DPO asked. He kissed Uju gently on her lips.

“I honestly don’t know! I’m confused! I can’t confess to my husband that I’m pregnant for another man. The shame is too much. I will rather die than do that.” Uju declared with an air of seriousness on her face. She took another sip of the wine.

“Do you still love your husband?” The DPO asked. The question took her by surprise.

“Yes of course! Why are you asking?” Uju asked. Deep down in her heart, she knows she was not being completely sincere with the DPO. Even the DPO knows this. She might still love her husband but the love is no longer the same as it was when they first met. The love was now cold. So many things has happened and water has passed under the bridge.

“Answer the question sincerely. Do you still love Ejike?” The DPO asked again. It was a difficult question.

“I love him, but not as much as I loved him when we got married. Right now, I will be happy if I wake up and don’t see him anymore. I can no longer face him with all the lies I’m trying to cover up. They lies are becoming a burden on my shoulders. I cannot say I love someone and still be doing these hurtful things behind his back.” Uju said. That was her heart she just poured out. It was the whole truth.

“So do you love me?” The DPO asked with a smile on his face. Uju felt as if the DPO poured pieces of broken bottles on the floor and asked her to walk on them. It was a difficult question.

“I think I’m getting used to you. We are spending a lot of time together and my love for you is growing. It’s growing above the one I have for my husband. It is getting to the point where I crave for you. I yearn to have you inside of me.” Uju answered.

“That’s it then. I love you too and it is time for us to do something about our love. Let’s take it to the next level.” The DPO said. Their emotions have charged like hot iron. They can no longer turn back.

“I don’t have a ring right now, but I will still ask you to marry me.” The DPO said as he knelt before Uju and popped the question. She said yes and they both hugged and they ended up in the bedroom where the consummated their love. When they finished making love and the DPO had slept off, Uju wondered why men sleep each time they finish ‘kerewa.’ 

But her heart also went back to what brought her into the DPO’s house for the first time about four weeks ago. She thought she was fighting for love but she ended up killing the love between her and Ejike.

“This is not entirely my fault. I can’t keep blaming myself. I wanted to secure our freedom and things got messier! I’m not an angel.” Uju said as she slept off with her right arm wrapped around the DPO.

Around 7am in the morning, Uju woke up and took her bath in the DPO’s house. She was ready to leave.

“So how do we get rid of my husband? I can’t just marry you when he is still there and I’m still living under his roof. What do we do?” Uju asked.

“Let’s kill your husband.” The DPO said without a single thought. He sounded as if he was talking about killing a chicken.

“What? Are you out of your mind? Are you joking? I can’t kill anyone. I have never handled a weapon before.” Uju said. She was almost shouting.

“Don’t shout! I’m not joking. And you don’t need a weapon to kill anyone. You can use poison. Use rat poison. Use ‘ota pia pia’. Any poison can do that. Just put it in his food. That’s all.” The DPO said. 

“I’m not killing my husband.” Uju said as she stormed out of the house and headed home. But words are like seeds, once planted, they must germinate. So, what the DPO said sank into her head and she was seriously considering doing it when she was in the taxi. She concluded that it was a good idea worth trying. Besides, the DPO will cover her up in case of any arrest, or so she thought.

“I will do it.” She said as she opened the gate of the house and entered the compound. Ejike her husband was no longer at home as he has gone out for his taxi business.

Normally her husband comes home to eat everyday by 12pm.

“This is a perfect opportunity. I’m sorry Ejike but I have gone too far for me to turn back.” Uju said. They had no cooked food at home, so she went to the market and bought some condiments which she used to cook vegetable soup. On her way back, she branched off to a roadside shop and bought raw acid in a small plastic bottle.

When she was done cooking, she poured the bottle of acid into the soup she dished for her husband. As usual, she made eba and served the food on the dining table. Uju picked up her phone and called her husband to come home that food was ready.

“I’m sorry my dear Ejike. But this is the last food you will be eating on earth. I loved you but the devil got into our marriage and ruined it. I’m sorry we are ending it this way, but I can’t turn back right now.” She said in her heart when she dropped the phone after calling her husband.

Ejike was already very hungry so he drove home straight within 30 minutes after Uju called him to come and eat.

The pregnancy was beginning to weigh Uju down so much. She easily falls asleep because of tiredness. She was deeply asleep on the sofa when Ejike returned to eat his food. Ejike did not want to disturb her by waking her up so he went straight to the dinning table where his food was served and washed his hands with speed.

Watch out for episode 6.

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THE TAXI DRIVER 4

 The Taxi Driver 

Episode 4

“Don’t touch me. I’m not here for that. I’m not here to sleep with you or to play hide and seek in your house.” Uju said as soon as she opened the door to the DPO’s living room. The DPO had rushed to hug and kiss her as if she was her long lost lover who just returned. The DPO was putting on only a white singlet and a pair of black boxers. 

“I said I’m not here to sleep with you. I’m not joking. If you touch me again I will scream so the neighbours will hear me." Uju threatened. She looked very serious but the DPO paid no attention.

“What are you here to do then? Is my house a church? Or, did you hear that I’m holding a crusade in my house? I’m asking you Uju! Did you come here for a night vigil? What brought you here if you are not here to sleep with me?” The DPO asked. The questions were too many. He obviously didn’t want Uju to answer them. He was just making her to feel guiltier.

“Please, I didn’t mean to shout at you. I’m so sorry I raised my voice. I lost control of my emotions. The past few days have been very difficult for me. I’m sure you would understand this.” Uju said. Her voice has gone from aggressive to tender. 

“Look, I have come here to plead with you to please let me be.” Uju said. She and the DPO were sitting on the same sofa. She came down and went on her kneels beseechingly. The milk-coloured tiles in the DPO’s house felt very cold on her knees.

“I’m begging you in the name of God. Please, allow me enjoy my marriage with my husband. We didn’t ask for all these problems. You said you will sleep with me and set us free, but it seems I’m now trapped. And you are now using this to blackmail me. Is this not like going from fry pan to fire? Please, I don’t want my husband to find out that I slept with you to purchase our freedom. Please, just let me be.” Uju continued to plead with the DPO. She was crying like a baby.

The DPO had his left hand wedging his chin. It was as if he was not listening to Uju.

“The more you plead with me, the more my love for you grows. It as if you don’t understand. I can’t help myself. I have fallen in love with you and there is no going back. I know you love me too, but you are too scared to admit it.” The DPO said.

Uju was surprised that the DPO failed to see the reasons why she should be left alone. “This man is the weapon fashioned against me.” Uju said to herself. The DPO’s behavior broke her spirit.

“Or are you saying you did not enjoy it? The things I did to you on bed, did your husband do those things? Tell the truth Uju, you enjoyed me too. And I know you want more. I also know you like me. That is why you are here.” The DPO said, touching Uju gently on her neck area. She felt tickled and she bent her neck like a pressed plastic bottle.

Uju stood up from where she was kneeling. The DPO helped her up, holding her gently like an egg. 

Uju cannot deny that she enjoyed the DPO too. She did. In fact, she had admitted to herself that she never felt that good since she became a woman. No man had touched her like the DPO did and the things he did to her on bed felt really good. Ejike her husband is more restrained and gentle on bed, but the DPO throws caution to the wind and this is what Uju secretly liked throughout the two weeks she stayed in his house.

Also, the DPO had more money. Everything is available and there is more comfort and enjoyment as compared to her husband’s house. Secretly, Uju liked the DPO but she still wishes she never met him in the first place. She sees him as an intruder who arrived with a bottle of honey. But she still wants to be with her husband Ejike and that’s why she is putting up the small fight. 

“Why are you so quiet? Talk to me. If you can honestly tell me that you don’t feel anything for me or that you didn’t enjoy my time with you, I will let you go.” The DPO said. Uju was lost in her own thoughts.

He was looking at Uju straight in the eyes. Just then, she realized how handsome the young man is. She could then see that he has hair on his chest. She could also see his well-carved mustache and his sparkling white teeth. She started feeling that the DPO was more handsome than Ejike.

Soon, Uju became emotionally entangled with the DPO. She drew closer to him and started kissing him deeply. They both fell on the soft sofa. But just before they could make love, Uju felt the strong urge to vomit and she stormed out into the toilet and started vomiting.

“You are pregnant!” The DPO said. He had rushed into the toilet to meet Uju who was bent over the sink. Water was rushing from the sink tap and the sound made Uju not to hear the DPO clearly.

“What did you say?” Uju asked.

“I said you are pregnant.” The DPO repeated himself. He was standing hands akimbo.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Uju said, feigning ignorance.

“Yes you are pregnant and I know the baby is mine.” The DPO said forcefully with an air of authority. The man’s audacity stunned Uju. The DPO is very experienced with women and could tell a pregnant woman even by her body odour.

“Yes I’m pregnant. You ruined my life. You got me pregnant. And now, I can’t even face my husband again with the whole lie. You destroyed my marriage. I’m so ashamed.” Uju said as she stormed out of the toilet into the living room. She sat on the sofa and used her left pam to wedge her chin as if she is mourning a dead relative.

“I can’t believe I’m about to be a father. I bless the day I met you.” The DPO said as he came in and sat beside Uju and started caressing her shoulder. She felt helpless, not only because of the bad situation at hand but also because she was becoming emotionally involved with the DPO. It was as if visiting his house that evening opened her eyes to just how much she liked the man.

Uju decided to let herself all into it. She threw herself into the DPO’s arms and soon, they were making love on the sofa. Thereafter, she slept off and only woke up in the morning around 7am.

“Oh! My God!” Uju shouted when she woke up. 

“Did I pass the night here?” She asked the DPO who was already dressed up for work.

“Yes my darling and it was a glorious night with you.” The DPO said.

Uju quickly gathered her things, dressed up and stormed out. She did not listen when the DPO demanded for a kiss before she left. When she got home that morning, she lied to her husband that she passed the night at work in the hospital where she covered for her friend who had travelled.

As she was talking to Ejike her husband, a text message came into her phone. It was the DPO.

“I really enjoyed myself last night. Can we do it again today?” The message reads.

“Who is that? Who sent you a message?” Ejike asked. 

“Oh! It’s my friend, the one I told you she travelled. She is thanking me for covering for her and taking her shift last night.” Uju lied.

Ejike drove out of the compound as he went to do his taxi job. He was becoming very suspicious, but he had no evidence to confront his wife.

Watch out for episode 5.

THE TAXI DRIVER EPISODE 3

 The Taxi Driver 

Episode 3

“What are you doing here? What are you doing in my house?” Uju asked in a loud voice. She was speaking to the DPO, who found his way to their street and also located their house. It was not difficult to find their house because he extracted it from the address they gave when offering their statement at the police station.

“You think after enjoying you for two weeks, I will just let you be like that? It will be difficult for an ant to abandon an open pot filled with sweet honey. I can’t sleep well without you. Any time I close my eyes, you are the person I see. As a matter of fact, I have fallen in love with you Uju. Forgive me, but it’s true.” The DPO said. He sounded very serious and a funny smile danced on his face. Uju was not impressed, but she was scared at the same time. She decided to show courage.

“You must be very stupid to think that after the agreement we had, I will still allow you to continue sleeping with me even when I have returned to my husband’s house. You agreed to free me and my husband. What else do you want? For two weeks, you played with my body anyhow you want. And you still want more? Do you want to destroy my marriage?” Uju asked. She has brought down her voice so that her husband will not hear her. She refused to allow the DPO into the compound. They were talking outside the gate.

“Which agreement are you talking about? Where was the agreement written? Who were the witnesses? Did I sign any agreement with you? Look, Uju, consider what I’m telling you and stop talking about agreement. The truth is that I have fallen in love with you. Please, let me tell you the exact reason I’m here. I want us to solidify our relationship and make it stronger.” The DPO said. He sounded funny. Uju sees him as a joker because his words always come off as those of a comedian. But that’s how he talks. He is very serious!

“You must be mad! Do you smoke? Or have you inhaled mkpuru mmiri? Is it because I’m standing here to talk to you? Look Mr DPO, I’m married and I can’t continue sleeping with you. I and my husband are innocent. We are not thieves. I don’t want to ever set my eyes on you again.” Uju said as she stormed into the compound leaving the DPO behind.

Immediately she entered the living room, she saw her husband eating at the dinning. Ejike had waited endlessly for her to serve him his evening meal but she was nowhere to be found. He entered the kitchen and took the food himself as he was very hungry. He just returned from work when the gateman came to inform Uju of the DPO who was looking for her.

“Honey, please, I’m so so sorry! Forgive me. I went to see a friend who needed help with something.” Uju lied to Ejike.

“Which friend is that?” Ejike asked with suspicion in his eyes and voice.

“My friend at work. She is a nurse. She wants me to cover for her as she is travelling next week.” Uju lied again. She joined her husband to eat. Ejike is a nice man who is very slow to anger. However, when he gets angry, it is usually not good.

“Honey, is the food sweet? Since I got pregnant, I no longer enjoy food. I don’t even know how it tastes.” Uju said jokingly. She was looking at Ejike with a romantic eye.

“Yes of course. You know okra soup is my favourite. I absolutely love it.” Ejike said as he took a chunk of meat from the plate.

“How many meat did you take from the soup pot?” Uju asked. She always says Ejike cannot be trusted with a soup pot because he steals meats.

“I took only one meat!” Ejike lied. He has eaten at least three chunks of meat. Both of them laughed knowingly.

When they were still eating, a text message entered Uju’s phone. It was the DPO.

“I wanted us to talk this out as lovers, but it seems you want me to do it my way. I want you to come to my house tomorrow being Saturday. Or else, I will arrest your husband, and you will never see him again. I will also tell him the whole truth about our affair. This is not a threat, it’s a promise. Remember, the armed robbery case is not closed yet. I can reopen it any time I like. Everything is in your hands.” The text message said.

Uju froze in her chair and stopped eating. The lump of fufu in her hand fell into the soup. She was visibly shaken. Ejike her husband noticed her uneasiness and asked what the problem was.

“Honey, are you OK? This is why I said you should stop pressing your phone while eating. What did you see in your phone?” Ejike asked.

“It’s nothing, my love. I mean, it’s not my phone. There is a bone in my throat. Fish bone. Please help me with the water.” Uju said as she started coughing violently. Ejike came closer and held her. There was no bone in her throat. The only bone in her throat is the DPO.

As they went to bed that night, Uju pondered on what to do. She wanted to tell her husband the whole truth. She wanted to tell him the fact that she slept with the DPO for their freedom. She wanted to let him know that the pregnancy actually belongs to the DPO, but she decided against the idea. She thought telling the truth could make things worse for her.

 She could not sleep and even when Ejike was making love to her that night her mind was not there as she just lay on the bed absentmindedly until he climaxed and came down.

“I will visit the DPO tomorrow.” Uju said in her mind when Ejike was done making love to her. He had slept off immediately he came down, so Uju stood up and went the toilet to think about her problem.

“There is nothing else I can do. If I don’t visit him, my husband may go to jail or get sentenced to death. I don’t want my husband to know the truth either. I don’t want that to happen. I will visit him and see what I can do.” Uju said.

Watch out for Episode 4.

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THE TAXI DRIVER EPISODE 2

 The Taxi Driver

Episode 2

“I’m not a thief oga. I and my wife are innocent.” Ejike said. He was almost crying.

“Like I said earlier, we just offered that man a lift. You can ask him, he will say the truth if he wants to. I think he is the only one who can say the truth in this case. I don’t know why you don’t want to question him.” Ejike told the investigative police officer handling their case. They have so far spent two thirteen days with the police. Himself and his wife were separated and kept in different places.

“Shut up my friend.” The policeman shouted. His eyes were red like live coal.

“No thief agrees that he is a thief. You want me to believe you? I know you will deny being among the thieves that robbed Chief Kupolalu. But my investigation proves you are among them. Besides, the man you gave a ride is now dead. He died from the gunshot wounds he sustained during the robbery.” The policeman said. Ejike was brought out from the cell for his statement to be taken. It was the first time he was being questioned. 

“What? You mean that man is dead? Oh my God!” Ejike exclaimed. He knew that the man was their only chance of getting out of the police net. Now, they are truly in trouble because the police have refused to believe that he and his wife just gave the dead man a ride.

“By the time we take you to court tomorrow, you will tell the judge why you decided to be a thief. You and your wife will explain why you belong to a gang that has been terrorizing Lagos. And for your information, the man you claim you gave a lift said a woman was part of the robbery gang. I’m sure that woman is your wife. You better prepare to go to jail. Rubbish!” The policeman said.

“Sir please, we just got married and we were returning from our honeymoon. We are not thieves.” Ejike pleaded with the police officer, but he was adamant. He bent down and wrote something on Ejike’s case file and closed it. He ordered that he should be taken back to the police cell.

Ajunwa kept coming to the police station to see if he could bail Ejike and his wife, but there was no way. The police refused to grant them bail as they kept saying the man that Ejike and his wife robbed is a big politician who has connections in the government.

Ajunwa decided to hire a lawyer to defend them in court the next day. 

Ejike did not like the police cell. It is a horrible place with all sorts of miscreants. He received a dirty slap the first day he was taken into the cell because the man who is the cell leader said he failed to bring them cigarettes as gifts. 

He kept receiving punishments upon punishments from the oga. Sometimes, he was the one who was forced to go and throw smelly urine and popoo collected in a bucket. There are no toilets or bathrooms in the police cell. He has not taken his bath for close to two weeks.

Ejike was also suffering emotionally as he hasn’t seen his wife for the past thirteen days. He wonders what she might be going through where she is right now.

“I hope I will be able to see her in court tomorrow. I miss her so much and the police have refused to show me where she is. I’m dying inside.” Ejike said in his heart.

Meanwhile, Uju was not actually locked up in a cell. She only slept in the cell the first night they were arrested by the police. But from the second day, she was taken to the DPO’s house where she had been staying since then. The DPO’s house is a well furnish three bedroom apartments. The DPO is a single young man who has eyes for good things.

It all started when the DPO asked his orderly to bring Uju for him in his office the first day she and Ejike got to the station.

“There is no way you and your husband will come out of this case. The business man that was robbed is very rich and highly connected. You people may be sentenced to death if we take you to court. Or you and your husband will be sentenced to life in prison. But I can help you.” The DPO said.

“Oga please, help us. I don’t want to die or go to jail. I and my husband are innocent. We didn’t do anything. Please help us and talk to the police authorities.” Uju said. She was crying. She looks so dirty because she lay on the bare floor inside the cell the previous night. She could not sleep at all as she kept thinking over the whole thing. What the DPO said terrified her.

“I will help you and your husband if you are will to do as I say.” The DPO said.

“We will do anything you ask. Anything at all. We just got married and we can’t afford to waste our lives in jail or to be sentenced to death.” Uju pleaded.

“You will sleep with me for two weeks, then I will set you and your husband free.” The DPO said. His words sounded like a bombshell on Uju’s ears. When she returned to her the cell, she kept thinking of what to do. She just finished seeing her menstruation four days ago, which means she was not pregnant for Ejike her husband close to the end of their honeymoon back then.

“What if I get pregnant for the DPO? What will I tell Ejike?” She asked herself. But after thinking about it over the night, she decided to do it. She was secretly driven to the DPO’s house the next day. The DPO promised to set her and her husband free after sleeping with her for fourteen days.

It was not an easy thing for her as they DPO has a lot of libido. It was as if he stopped going to work and concentrated on Uju.

On the fourteenth day which was the day they were supposed to be taken to court for the armed robbery trial to commence, she was driven back to the police station and they were set free.

“What happened? Why the sudden change of plans?” Ejike asked the police officer handling his case.

“The police have decided to end the case. Till further notice. You and your wife are lucky.” The policeman said. Even the lawyer who came to defend them was surprised when he saw them walking out of the station.

“You look so fresh my wife. Were you locked up like me at all? Where did they keep you? I hope you are OK?” Ejike asked Uju as she flew into her arms. They hugged very tightly for a long time before letting go of each other.

“I’m fine. I missed you so much.” Uju tells Ejike. Ejike had his doubts, but he has heard in the past that police treat women differently from men, so he assumed his wife was treated with kindness. In fact, inwardly, he felt happy that Uju looked well-fed and neat. Ajunwa was there and he personally drove them home.

A few days later, Uju missed her period. 

“I’m pregnant and I’m sure Ejike is not responsible for this pregnancy. I’m dead if he finds out that I slept with the DPO. I hope he will not suspect anything.” Uju said as she brought out the pregnancy test strip to show Ejike who was eating his evening meal in the sitting room. She does not know how he will react.

Watch out for episode 3.

Note: I'm so glad you took time to read my story. Thank you. Please, follow me for more.

THE TAXI DRIVER EPISODE 1

 

The Taxi Driver

Episode 1

It was a Sunday morning and Ejike had looked forward to testing his brand new car, a Toyota Camry which he got as a gift two weeks ago during his wedding. His friend, Ajunwa gave it to him. 

Ejike and Ajunwa have known each other for more than twenty years. When they were in school, Ejike’s late parents were the ones who helped Ajunwa to register for his WAEC. Ejike could not proceed to the university because of the death of his parents who died in ghastly road acceded just before he finished his last WAEC paper. But Ajunwa was lucky to get a scholarship that enabled him to study medicine. When he heard that Ejike was getting married, he decided to buy him a car in appreciation of what his parents did for him.

Since the death of his parents, Ejike has been trying hard to survive. He ate hand to mouth and many days, he went to bed hungry. He became a taxi driver and saved money gradually until he was able to marry his wife, Uju. 

Uju, a very beautiful girl married Ejike out of love, not because of money since he had none of it. She is a graduate of nursing and midwifery and she works in the same hospital as Ajunwa. Uju met Ejike one day when he had come to visit Ajunwa in the hospital and they fell in love instantly.

Their wedding was very successful and even Ejike was surprised that he could do it. Initially, the thought of the wedding expenses weighed him down, but when people started making donations to them, he and Uju were overwhelmed. They had more money than expected. After their wedding, they decided that Ejike would be using the brand new car they got for taxi business. 

“Finally, you will drop that old, rickety car that you have been using for years. That car that only the driver can open the door. Anytime I enter the car, it is usually very hot like oven. I’m happy you won’t be using it again.” Uju said as they woke up that Sunday morning. 

“Stop mocking my old car jari! It was that car that I drove until I got the money I used to pay your bride price. So, you always have to respect it. That car is agadi ekwe nka.” Ejike said to his wife as both of them laughed and kissed.

That day was the last day of their honeymoon. They have so far spent fourteen days in hotel, a 5-star posh hotel in Lagos. They have had such a nice time during their honeymoon.

“I wish we could stay here forever. Just eat, sleep, make love and repeat the whole thing again without having to go anywhere.” Uju said. She was in the arms of her husband. Their things were already packed as they got ready to leave the hotel room to their house, a three-bedroom apartment which Ejike had paid for a week before the wedding. 

“Life is not like that my dear. If you stay here for another week, you will soon get bored. You have to work and do other things apart from eating and resting, and making love. That is how life is designed to run. That kind of life you are looking for is only in heaven, not here on earth.” Ejike said. They kissed again. They grabbed their bags and soon, they were driving out of the hotel and they were driving along Ozumba Mbadiwa and heading for Ajah where their house is located.

Just before they got to the Lekki Toll Gate, a man waved at them to stop. He looked like someone who needed a lift. He also looked desperately in need of help because there was blood on his left lap. He was bleeding profusely. The time was around 9am in the morning and the road was already busy with people hurrying to church.

“Let us stop and know if he needs our help.” Ejike said to his wife.

“My love, this is Lagos. Please let us go o! I’m scared!” Uju replied. But Ejike insisted. He applied the brakes and the car stopped by the road side.

“What’s the matter bro? Do you need help? We are headed for Ajah. Are you going our way?” Ejike asked the man.

“Please, I’m going to Ajah too. I had an accident on my way to church. Please, help me let me get home.” The man said. A lot of blood was dropping on the ground where he was standing. Ejike and Uju were touched by his story. So they had no issues asking the man to enter and ride with them.

When they got to the Lekki Toll Gate, they stopped at a police checkpoint. There was traffic gridlock because the police was checking each car very thoroughly. Passengers were asked to come down and their pockets and bags were frisked and turned upside down.

“Ah! This kind of tight security! What happened in the city?” Ejike asked no one in particular. He turned on the radio in the car. A news flash came in that armed robbers had attacked the home of a popular business man and that the police were on the trail of the rubbers. Just then, a police man came to check Ejike’s car.

“Come down from the car all of you! Put your hands up and don’t move!” The policeman shouted. He had seen the bleeding man. He searched the car and found a gun under the back seat.

“The three of you are under arrest for suspected armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearm.” The police man said. 

"Oga, I'm just a taxi driver o! I don't know the man. This is my wife and we are only giving the man a lift." Ejike said.

"Shut up!" The policeman yelled as he pushed them into a Hilux van. They were taken to the station within minutes.

Watch out for Episode 2.

TAXI DRIVER FINAL PART

 

The Taxi Driver

 Episode 8 (Final battle)

“There is something I want to tell you.” Uju said to Ajunwa. She unexpectedly appeared in Ajunwa’s house after five years. Immediately after she tried to kill Ejike, she stopped working at the hospital and since then, Ajunwa hasn’t laid his eyes on her.

 Somehow, Uju got another job at a government general hospital but she has never had peace of mind. Five years has gone but the things she did remained fresh in her heart. She woke up one morning and decided that it was time to confess so as to free her heart. This was why she suddenly went to Ajunwa’s house after five years.

“I’m actually surprised to see you here. What is it that you want to tell me?” Ajunwa asked.

“It’s a confession actually.” Uju responded.

“Confession? What confession do you want to make to me? I’m not a priest. Why not go to church?” Ajunwa said. He was deliberately sounding sarcastic. He also feigned ignorance as if he was not already aware of what Uju was going to confess.

“Stop  being sarcastic and listen to me.” Uju said. Ajunwa took time to observe her physical appearance. She is not looking bad at all. She has actually being taking very good care of herself and she returned to her formal beauty, but the only problem is that she has no peace of mind.

“I was sleeping with the DPO. It was not my fault. I did it to secure my freedom and that of Ejike, my late husband. When we were released, I didn’t stop sleeping with him because he threatened to lock my husband up again and frame him up as a thief. I eventually got pregnant for him. I could not bear the shame of living with another man’s baby with man husband, so I and the DPO planned to poison my husband so I can marry him. I killed him. I killed Ejike I was manipulated into doing these things. That’s not me.” Uju said. She was weeping like a baby and hot tears were pouring from her eyes in torrents.

“I don’t know what to say about this. I’m disappointed. I never knew you were capable of such evil. But, who am I to judge you?” Ajunwa said. He had offered Uju a bottle of coke and she had drank it halfway. The rest lay on the center table in Ajunwa’s living room.

“But all the same, I’m sure God used you for a greater purpose.” Ajunwa said. 

“What greater purpose? I killed my own husband, the man I loved and still loves till date. Slept with another man and got pregnant for him. What greater purpose does that serve? I should I actually be in jail or dead.” Uju said. She was still crying. Ajunwa offered her a piece of tissue to wipe her tears and clean her running nose. She blew her nose violently and wrapped up the mucus and threw it in the trash can beside her.

“Everything happens for a purpose. No one dies until God approves it.” Ajunwa said.

“You are speaking in parables. Please go straight to the point.” Uju said. She was getting confused.

“Ejike is not dead.” Ajunwa finally opened up. What he just said sounded strange in Uju’s ears and she felt like some shrapnels entered her ears.

“What exactly do you mean? I personally poured raw acid into his food and he ate it and even cleaned the soup plate. I saw his dead body in your office. What do you mean he is not dead?” Uju asked. She became very curious and she sharpened her ears.

“Well, did you attend his burial? Have you asked yourself why there was not burial at all? Or you were too fast to move on? Just excuse me, I will be back in few seconds.” Ajunwa said. He stood up and went behind the door of his room. Within a few seconds, he reappeared with Ejike. He looks very fresh, neat and even fat. He had just finished his Engineering course in the UK and had returned to Nigeria where he had got a very big job with a construction company. Uju collapsed when she saw him!

It took a combined effort of Ajunwa and Ejike to revive her. When she came to, she touched Ejike’s body and pinched him with her long artificial nails.

“Are you alive? How did this happen?” Uju asked. Her head was feeling hazy. 

“I did not eat that food that day. I flushed it.” Ejike said.

“Oh my God!” Uju shouted. She used her left hand to cover her face in shame. At that time, Ajunwa left the scene to allow Uju and Ejike some privacy to talk.

“I heard everything you told Ajunwa. Where is the baby? And what happened to the DPO?” Ejike asked. He was looking directly into Uju’s eyes. He still admires her just the same way he did the day he first saw her. Secretly, he missed her. It was actually Uju who took his virginity, so she was hard to forget. Now that he is close to her again, old memories rushed back.

“I miscarried the baby. I don’t want to remember that horrible episode. But the DPO is dead. I didn’t kill him I promise. He was killed by armed robbers.” Uju said. At that time, they were sitting at Ajunwa’s dinning. Uju drew closer to Ejike and started touching his beards. She drew closer as if she wanted to kiss him. Ejike almost allowed the kiss because his feelings for her once again became strong in her presence, but he quickly pushed her away.

“What are you up to? You think you can just walk back into my life just like that? After all you did? After sleeping with the DPO and trying to kill me? What kind person are you?” Ejike barked. His eyes were red.

“I did it for us. For you. I sold my body to the DPO to secure our freedom and then things got out of hand. Do you think it was easy for me? I was trying to protect you even though I was stupid and immature. Things got complicated. I’m not entirely to blame here. Besides, if you had listened to me and never offered that man a ride, all these things wouldn’t have happened to us. You know what, may be I should just leave.” Uju said. She picked up her bag and stormed out of the building.

Ejike was confused. He did not know what to do with his emotions. He wanted to call her back, but his voice failed him.

“What are you going to do now?” Ajunwa asked. He has come out from his room and was standing behind Ejike who was standing hands akimbo.

“Maybe you should give her a second chance. We all have made mistakes in life. No one is an angel. You are not a saint either. You guys can try and work something out.” Ajunwa said.

That night, Ejike could not sleep. Uju’s picture remained in his mind. All the nice memories they had before they got arrested all rushed back into his head. She concluded that Uju is not entirely a bad person.

“I’m going to look for her. I still love her. I can’t get her off my head.” Ejike said. He stormed out of the bedroom and rushed out of the compound. The time was 9pm. He removed his phone from his pocket and called Uju’s old number. Luckily for him, that is the number she still uses. She picked up.

“Where is your house. Just give me your address.” Ejike said. Uju was scared, but she still told him the address correctly. 

“No 7 Kerioka Street, Ikeja.” She said and Ejike immediately hung up. He flagged a taxi and rode straight to Uju’s house. Soon, he was knocking at her door.

Uju was afraid when she heard Ejike’s voice behind the door. She was reluctant to open the door. She thought Ejike was coming for a revenge. But whatever it is, she had made up her mind to go for it. She picked her kitchen knife and held it behind her back. She then opened the door for Ejike. Before she could say Jack Robinson, Ejike was kissing her and dragging her to the sofa. It was five minutes later that both of them realized that they had made love. It was fire for fire and it was very quick because they have actually missed each other. It was boom! That was how they reconciled. When they finished, Uju lay on Ejike’s chest peacefully. She could feel it in her soul that life had returned to her body. 

“I messed up! Thank you for coming back to me. I will never let you go again. From now on, we fight our battles and die together.” Uju promised.

One week later, they moved into a new house bought by Ejike and they picked up their marriage where they stopped. Love always wins and sometimes, people go through Egypt, cross the Red Sea, pass through desert in other to get to the promised land.

THE END.