Longest Shortcut

”Okay baby, Ill try my best to get you the stuffs. ” Cyril said.

”Cyril I need it like yesterday, do you understand? ” She thundered back.

Cyril was enraged and confused at the same time, he stood up went over to the POS agent and asked to make a transfer to account name – Veronica Julius, account number – 08××××××××××80.

”How much are you transferring sir? ” the agent asked.

”40,000 naira. ”

They agent continued typing on her keyboard and after about 3 minutes she looked up to him.

”Its done sir ”

He walked off from the POS vendor feeling quite bashed. He wanted to do more, but, forty thousand was his widows might, there was nothing left for him.

Cyril sat down on his cushion, thinking, the chair made his back hurt, an exposed cushion pin was piercing him. The chair was the nicest thing he had, it was handed down to him from his father, it was the only thing he had of his dad. He called the chair universe, because anytime he sat on it, It was as if he had travelled to another planet and often he did.

Cyril sat on his pin piercing chair but he wasn feeling a single thing, he had gone numb from all the thinking and didn notice that he was being pierced by a pin from his chair.

His mind was far away in distant lands where the clouds were so low a child could touch without even jumping.

In the midst of his daydream his best friend Abiola entered the room.

”Cyril! Cyril! Cyril! ”

He gasped, turned around and saw his friend, immediately fright became anger.

”Cyril I shouted your name three good times and you didn even hear me and Im only just 3 feet away from you. ”

”Abiola, see don come and disturb me this cool evening, I beg you. ”

”Cyril come on, i am your boy. What is wrong with you? You seem troubled and out of sort. ”

”My brother I wish I could just get a way, of making money fast fast, fast fast. I am tired of this life of poverty and lack. ”

”Cyril, are you not the one who is always the positive thinker and always using soothing words to calm us down anytime we are facing our own challenges.

So you mean to tell me that finally the bee has run out of honey. ”

”Abiola, Im not in the mood for petty jokes, Im being serious and all you could come up with is to use my predicament as a means to mock me. ”

”Oh no – no my friend, come on now, lighten up. Okay tell me what the matter is together we can find a solution. ”

”Bro, Veronica called me today and she wanted some money and some you know – school stuffs. ”

”Ahh is that the case, come on bro you are good for it now, only five thousand that she asked you and you are looking this frustrated like a camel on heat. ”

”She asked for a hundred thousand. ”

”Pardon me! It seems my ears went for a little break when you said it. She asked for what? A hundred thousand? She must be quite mad, in fact she should go ask her father if he knows what a hundred looks like talk more of a thousand. ”

”Abiola, you know I love her and I want to marry her, I want her to be the mother of my children, so I must do everything I can. ”

”Bro, you are a fool. Okay tell me, what will you do now that she has asked for such an amount? ”

”Im thinking of that idea that Nonso -you know – brought up last time. ”

”JESUS! Cyril! Cyril, you mean to tell me that, you have considered that insane idea. ”

”Look Abiola all Im saying is that, we should at least try something other than what weve been exposed to. ”

”Cyril I am not going to be a party to anything that involves magical alliances with the spiritual world. ”

”Abiola, look lets just try, perhaps, it could come out as something that would sky- rocket us to the top. ”

”Hey! hey! I am not going to be part of that. Abiola interjected.

{4 hours later}

”Hello Nonso, its Cyril on the line. ”

”Ohw yea Cyril, whats up my brother? ”

”Bro I have considered that suggestion of yours. ”

”Really? Look if we have to do it, we have to be sly about it. No one outside our circle should get to know about this. And I mean it, it should stay between us three. ”

”Well, Its going to be just the two of us. ”

”What do you mean just the two of us, what about Abiola? ”

”Well he doesn concur with the idea. You know his father is a reverend so he is not very open minded to things like this. ”

”Ahhh! you have to convince him now, it is important for him to come. There is a reason for it. ”

”Okay I will try and convince him, but when are we embarking on this wayfare? ”

”We must reach Ekpene-Obo village by Thursday. ”

”Eih! Nonso that means we only have three days to go? ”

”Yes, so try and convince Abiola. ”

”Okay I will try. ”

{Monday. 3 days before the wayfare}

”Abiola! Abiola! Abiola! Where is this he-goat? Abiola! ”

”Who is shouting, and screaming like a toothless crocodile? ”

”Sorry sir, its me Cyril. Good evening Papa. ”

”Good evening Cyril, how are you doing today?

”Im doing well sir. Papa please is Abiola around? ”

”Check the backyard Im sure he is sitting under that awful, barren mango tree. ”

”Thank you sir. ”

”You are welcome and make sure not to continue that crocodile screams before the gods hammer you with plagues you can run away from. ”

Was that a threat or a curse? He wondered. Whichever it was he felt his body shiver at the mention of the gods and plagues. He swallowed a lump of saliva that had settled in his throat and hoped that the old man was just joking. He turned around and headed for the backyard where Abiola sat deep in thoughts.

”What should I do now, Cyril and Nonso have all agreed on this dreadful idea of going to enquire from an Oracle in Akwa Ibom state. Akwa Ibom! they couldn even say maybe Enugu or even Abeokuta. Folks in Akwa Ibom who are renowned for playing World witches and wizards confederations Cup. God help me. what should I do? Should I join them? Ahh! but I don want anything that will tie my family to any spiritual problems, and I cannot allow Cyril alone with that Nonso guy. ”

”Abiola! Abiola! ”

He turned around and saw Cyril – his friend – he sighed in displeasure.

”What are you doing here? You like to sit under this barren mango tree, maybe that is why your life is not fruitful. ” Cyril jested.

”Look Cyril, I am not in the mood for your jests. What do you want in my house? ”

”Your house or your Dads house. Can you afford a house for yourself. I have come to tell you that Nonso and I will be leaving for Akwa Ibom tomorrow and I cannot go without you my friend.

At least even if you will not join us, just follow me so that I can feel safe with you by my side. ”

”My friend, Im really sorry to disappoint you but I cannot go with you. Just the thought of it terrifies me. ”

Abiola stood his ground and chose not to join in the escapade. Or did he? Cyril wasn too pleased with this but decided not to bother his friend any longer. The date had been set, though he wanted his friend by his side but if bad came to worst he was willing to go alone.

{Tuesday. 2 days before the wayfare}

”Hello? ”

”Yes who is on the line? ”

”Ahh! Veronica, its your boyfriend Cyril. What kind of joke is that? ”

”Hey! Hey! Stop there. ” She thundered.

”Whose boyfriend? If you say that again, I will slap you through this phone. ”

”Ahhh! Veronica, why this behaviour? Okay, okay, Im sorry if Ive offended you. ”

”Sorry for yourself Cyril. Common hundred thousand, you couldn give to me and you call yourself my boyfriend. The mere mention of it, irritates me. ”

”Ahhhh! Veronica, please don behave this way towards me, I will do my best, I give you my word on this. ”

”You had better. ”

She cuts the line. Cyril was more upset than ever, nothing could tether him from this idea. It was either he made it or die trying.

{Meanwhile}

”Papa, please may I have a word with you?

”Abiola is anything the matter? ”

His father was confused and concerned at the same time. His son – Abiola – had never asked to talk about anything with him. In fact since his mother died five years ago, he had become gloomy and would often sit idly with his hand to his chin. He would only talk or smile when his friends visited. He looked straight into his sons eyes trying to decipher what he must be feeling or thinking.

”Papa, everything is fine, nothing is amiss. ”

”Okay Im all ears. Talk to me son. ”

”Papa, its been three years now since I graduated from the university. But I haven really gotten to the pinnacle of life yet. For the past three years, you have successfully bombarded me with numerous insulting phrases that always diminishes my self-confidence and has left me broken. So I intend to travel and try something new, it may end up good or bad but at least you will know that i did my best. ”

His dad listened carefully as Abiola spoke

”Papa I will be going with Cyril and some other friends to a different city where we may find good pastures. ”

After he was done talking, his father spoke.

”My son, Listen carefully to me. I don hate you, never have and never will. My words may have come out as missiles to destroy but they where meant as catapult to sling you. I want the best for you and nothing more. When ever I go out into the town square with other elders of the village, I hear people talk about you. Do you know what they say? They say that you are an imbecile, they say that you are a pillock, a simpleton. But I know you my son, that you are neither of what they say. But you are definitely timid, you are pusillanimous and I can sit and watch you waste away your life because you are scared to dare into the unknown. But whatever you do must be honourable, praise worthy and righteous and thats it. You have my permission to go. ”

After he was done speaking, he stretched forth his hand and touched Abiolas head and said a word of prayer. All the while Abiola felt constricted to tell his father about Nonsos idea but he knew how it would have ended – his dad being a reverend. He left his father in the living room and headed to his own room. He sat down upon his bed and soon was washed a way into deep thoughts about the things his father had said to him, contemplating the idea once more.

”Papa has given me permission to go. ” He muttered to himself. ”Righteous and honourable? But this Nonsos idea is neither righteous nor praise worthy, its definitely the opposite. What should I do now, I cannot let Cyril go alone, what if the idea works out for good? He will make a jest of me when he becomes a big man and begins to ride in his cars and own mansions and estates. ”

”Abiola my friend, I hope you have changed your mind about our journey tomorrow? ”

”Cyril, yesterday I had a talk with my father and…. ”

”hope you didn tell him about our plan. ” Cyril asked in fright.

”Oh no, I didn . But I told him I wanted to travel. And he advised me and made me see some light. ”

”What do you mean by that. ” Cyril asked in anger

”Cyril, I won be going with you on this journey. ”

”what do you mean by you won be going with me? After all the years weve been friends you will turn your back on us just like that. ”

”Cyril don take it like that, I thought about the idea and it is insane. We have both heard of the evil of sorcery and divination and we know that the theurgy of it is always in the negative. ”

”Come on Abiola, come on. ” Cyril said calmly

”You are my friend, don abandon me now. You be my friend ooo, remember. How you go do this kind thing na? ”

”Cyril Im really sorry but I must do whats right. ”

{Wednesday. 3 am. The day before the wayfare}

Cyril woke up very early and prepared for his journey. He wanted to leave before it was day break so no one could see him leave.

He came out of his room and the whole place was as dark as the day before creation begun.

The ground was wet from dew and the whole place was very quiet, not because there weren any sounds but rather it was as if the darkness swallowed every noise.

Even the birds had all hidden in their nests. He tracked down the path that led to the big Iroko tree just outside town where they had agreed to meet. He got to the meeting point at three thirty, but Nonso was not present. He decided to linger a little ”perhaps he is running a late, after all the meeting time is four. ” He said to himself.

He sat down under the Iroko tree, he felt something reaching out to touch him, he would turn around and only see the darkness. He sighed and beat his cheek to wake himself from the fright. ”What ever creature it was, couldn harm me after all. ” He said to himself.

I am wearing the beads my mother gave me before she died. She had made it specifically for me. She said the gods will protect me wherever I go. That thought seemed to tranquilize every fear in him and soothe his nerves.

Suddenly he heard steps from behind him. He turned around in trepidation, forgetting about the beads his mother gave him that seemed to calm him moments ago. He shouted at the vague cast of shadow before him.

”Who goes there? ” He shouted.

”I said who goes there? Are you a friend or foe? ”

Immediately Nonso jumped out from behind the tree.

”Guy why you want scare me naa? I no dey for that mood ooo. ”

”Im sorry na Cyril. Person no dey follow you play. So where is Abiola, I hope he will not keep us waiting here? ”

”What do you mean? Didn you keep me waiting? ”

”Im here on time, its just three fifty-seven, you came too early that is not my fault. ”

”I hear you, Abiola won be joining us, he had a change of heart at the last minute. ”

”Ahh that namby-pamby. He has nothing in him only goes around wearing ig girls blouse. But you promised to convince him, I told the oracle that we were three, what will I tell him when we get there? ”

”Lets just do it on our own. ” Abiola muttered.

”Okay lets go, we have to reach Onitsha by eight o clock. ”

{Wednesday. 8:49 am}

The bus arrived at Onitsha at exactly 8:49 am.

From the beginning of the trip Cyril had been smiling to himself the whole time. Every now and again Nonso would ask him why he was smiling, ”boy even the air feels different here. ” he would say.

The trip was long and would have felt exhausting to anyone else who knew the distance between Lagos and Onitsha but to Cyril it felt like liberation. It was a journey to change the tides of life, a journey to turn the wheel of life to his favour and nothing pleased him more.

He thought about how his life would be after this divine encounter. How his family would live a happy and comfortable life. His father had died four years ago from lung cancer. The doctor had demanded for the sum of five hundred thousand naira down payment before any operation or treatment of any kind was to be carried out.

They did their best but they couldn raise such a huge amount, he remembered how he would go from one street to the other just doing any menial work he could find.

He had ended his education after graduating from secondary school because the family couldn help him further – The means just wasn there.

”At least Abiola has a degree ” he thought to himself.

”But what do I have? Only hope. ”

Nonso tapped him immediately the bus came to a stop. He panicked, he was far away in thoughts he didn hear the tires screeching to a halt.

”Bro we don reach, lets get our stuffs. ” Nonso said.

After they had collected their bags, they boarded a taxi that would take them to a nearby town about 10 minutes from the bus terminal. They were to stay with one of Nonsos City friends until evening, the last bus from Onitsha to Akwa Ibom would leave around 10 pm.

They got to the apartment were Nonsos friends occupied. It was a beautiful one bedroom self contain apartment. It had its own toilet and bathroom, a kitchen, bedroom and a small parlour.

Cyril sat on a small chair just at one end of the room, meanwhile, Nonso with his friends shouted and danced they were overjoyed to have come this far.

Nonso introduced Cyril to the other guys.

”Guys this is the my friend I told you guys about. He is Cyril. ”

They all said hi and shook his hand and asked him to feel at home.

Cyril was quite happy being with other guys, so far everything was cool, he gazed around the house, the bathroom fascinated him the most. It wasn like the one he was used to, for him the latrine behind their house had been the only comfort he had known.

A water closet was something new, he sat on the water closet for about ten minutes just to feel how it would be to actually use one.

{The same Wednesday. 5 am.}

Abiola woke from his midnight slumber. He was not an early riser, a scary dream had startled him and left him in shock. He was confused as to what it meant and why he had had such a nightmare.

He stood up and paced around his room as he spoke to himself.

”What kind of dream is this? Why was I being chased by a masquerade? I have only seen masquerades once in my life and that was during a carnival.

God what is wrong? ”

He knelt down and said a prayer, after his prayer he laid himself down on the ground, he tried to forget the dream but it remained as vivid as if he was dreaming all over again.

He thought about Cyril his friend.

”I hope nothing has happened to Cyril? That Nonso boy he followed, Nonso has never been one with a good record, I wonder how Cyril became his friend. God please protect my friend Cyril. ”

{The same Wednesday, 9:45pm.}

Nonso and Abiola reached the bus terminal at 9:45, the luggage had been loaded up and all was set.

At 10:10 pm the bus started its journey, as usual there was a bus evangelist who would preach and then get off at the filling station about 10 minutes away from the terminal.

The evangelist started with a prayer and then she entered into word ministration, she read from the book of Hebrews chapter 13 versus 5. It said and she read it as loudly as she can ”Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you, ”

she spoke about insatiability, she spoke about the reward of not waiting for Gods time.

All the while Nonso had his earphone plugged to his ear, he didn want to listen to what she had to say.

Cyril was listening not because he wanted to but because he didn have an earphone to put in his ear. The message irritated him and made him angry he thought to himself ” if God hates the evil people do when they don have enough, why hasn he helped me yet? ”.

After about 10 minutes the bus reached the fuel station, the evangelist said a word of prayer and as she was leaving she said

” if God has touched your heart to support me with an offering please don hesitate to ”.

This made Cyril even more angry. ”He can even provide for her, he allows her to beg. ” He said to himself.

Some people gave offerings to her, she collected, got down and went her way.

The bus fuels up, the driver got In and the bus begins its journey to Akwa Ibom, where Cyrils fate lies.