[Story] Romance In The Circle – Episode 10

Episode 10

IME: 9:05AM

VENUE: OPPOSITE THE ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT BUILDING.

_________________________________

Gradually, the crowds started dispersing after

the policemen had

successfully transfered Dayo’s corpse to the

school’s teaching hospital.

“Chioma, what is there for me to do in this

life? Chioma answer me

nau.” Dolapo wailed as the three friends were

trekking back to their

hostel.

“Dolapo, you have to be strong. Afterall, Dayo

is our friend to

but our wailing won’t bring her back. I know

how close you two are and

the relationship that you’ve built but God

knows the best and I know

whosoever that did this won’t go unpunished.”

Chioma replied in a shaky

voice as she tried to hold back the tears that

threatened to spill.

Just then a cream couloured Toyota Camry

parked beside them.

“Hello ladies.” Inspector Clement greeted.

“Hello.” Chioma replied rudely.

“I understand what just happened to you guys

but I think I can be

of help in a situation like this. Let me give you

a ride back to your

hostel.” Clement offered.

“We appreciate your kind gesture, but our

hostel is only a

stone throw from here.” Chioma replied.

“If that is the case lets go there together. Am

the officer in

charge of your late friends’ case.” Clement

introduced officially.

“No problems.” Chioma replied still holding

Dolapo firmly like

she’ll fall if left to walk on her own. That

moment Chioma is her pillar

of support, how enemies become friends

during trying periods. The two

of them never seem to agree on the same

thing but the friendship cord is

still there waxing.

+++++Inside their room+++++

Chioma offered Clement a seat just outside

their room very close to

the door on the corridor.

“Am sorry my friends won’t be able to talk to

you. We are all not

feeling too well, am forcing myself to talk to

you.” Chioma said as soon

as she sat down opposite their guest.

“Tell me the things I need to know about

Dayo.” Clement requested.

“She was my friend and we’ve been living

together from the time we

gained admission. Everyone of us here met

while we were in the secondary

school. Late Hadiza has lived all her life here

in the south-west even

though she is from the north, I met her when I

came for holidays in my

aunty who live in Lagos. I had my holiday

lesson in her school. Dolapo,

Tolani and the late Oladayo all attended the

same secondary school. And

the two schools are neighbours.” Chioma

replied.

Clement jotted somethings down.

“Tell me, when was the last time you girls had

a misunderstanding?”

“We have misunderstandings alot but it is

bound to happen between

friends. We can’t reason alike you know?” She

paused.

Clement nodded urging her to continue.

“The last misunderstanding we had was on the

day whe Hadiza was

killed. Hadiza accused Tola of misplacing her

eye pencil. Girl’s fight

sha. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

Clement nodded.

“No matter the misunderstanding, the last

thing on our minds is

getting one another killed. We don’t have such

minds.” Chioma added.

“I didn’t say that. Do you have a boyfriend?”

Clement asked.

“Yes, I do.” She replied.

“What about Hadiza and Dayo?” He asked.

“Dayo is engaged to a guy who works in an oil

company, he do visit her here when he is in

town.”

“What’s his name?” Clement asked.

“Emmanuel.” She replied.

“What of Hadiza?” He asked.

Just then his phone vibrated. It was a text

message from Sergeatn Mike.

It reads,

Sir, with the help of the school security, I was

able to nab the guy whon Dayo said took

Hadiza outside before she found her dead. He

is our number one suspect. We need you here

asap!

Clement smiled.

“I gotta run now. I’ll be back later.” Clement

said standing up.

“See you later then.” Chioma replied.

“Your number please, so I can tell you when

I’ll be coming.” He requested. Chioma typed

her number on his cell phone.

“My regards to Dolapo and Tolani. You girls

have to be strong.”

With this he left hurriedly.

To be continued 

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[Story] Romance In The Circle – Episode 9

Episode 9
TIME: 8:30AM
VENUE: OPPOSITE THE ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT BUILDING.
________________________________________
A female body was lying by the tarred road
that linked the school
gate to the other parts of the university. Tens
of students were
standing by the dead body with pity. Traces of
blood were visible from
her pink top and black jean trouser.
“I know this girl now.” A guy said.
“Shut up jor. Which girl do you know? You
just like setting pace
in your family sha. Don’t tell me you want to
be the first person to be
arrested by the police in your family.” The girl
beside him cut him
short.
“She was the one who screamed at Desmond’s
party when she saw a
dead body killed by some cultists.” The guy
said.
“I say shut up. Were you there when the cultist
killed the girl.
How sure are you that the girl was killed by
the cultist? Kunle, you are
still in 200L for crying out loud, you are two
years away from becoming
a graduate. Don’t spend that two years in
prison o. Lets go.” The girl
said holding him by the hand and dragging
him away from the scene.
“I saw the guy who killed the girl at the
party…..”
“Kunle! Are you mad?” She asked.
“Okay o. I’ve heard you.” He said giving up.
The two of them continued walking towards
the school gate leaving other
onlookers and sympathisers behind.
Just then a group of four girl ran to the scene
wailing.
“Oh my God! Daaaaaaayyyyyooooo!” Chioma
screamed immediately she got
to where Dayo’s dead body laid. She threw
herself to the ground and
laid beside her wailing. The other three joined.
“Dayo! Please don’t leave us now. We are
three weeks away from our
last paper. Dayo please. We’ve gone far
enough for you to die now.
Dayoooo.” Tola cried.
The third girl, Dolapo just stood still trying to
relate the scene
before her.
“Noooooooooooooooo!” Dolapo screamed and
fainted. Everyone left
what they were doing and ran to Dolapo’s aid.
The reason behind Dolapo’s reaction was not
far fetched. All her
life, she has always known pain, suffering and
emotional distress. At
the age of sixteen she lost both her parent at
gunpoint when some gunmen
attacked their home one night. Few months
later, her father’s family
members sent her out of the house accussing
her of witchcraft and she
had nowhere else to go except Dayo’s house,
being her bestfriend. Dayo’s
parent accepted her like their own daughter
and treated her just the
way her late parents used to treat her. They
both gained admission the
same time, all financed by her foster parents
(Dayo’s parents). How will
her life be now that her friend whom she refer
to as her sister is dead.
Dayo is the only child of her parents who at
this stage are waiting to
see Dayo graduate and get married to her
long term boyfriend who works
in an oil producing company.
When she was eventually revived, she started
her own version of
wailing.
“Dayo! wait for me, I must die with you.
What’s the essence of life
without you? What does the future hold for
me. Dayyyyoooooo!
Nooooooooo.” She screamed and
sympathisers tried to pacify her including
her two friends who were previously wailing
too.
Just then the school’s security convoy drove
to the scene and students
fled for their lives.
“Move back all of you.” A man in their usual
navy blue uniform
barked at the students.
Chioma succeeded in carrying her small
statured friend, Dolapo away
from the scene. Few minutes later, the men of
the Nigeria’s police force
arrived with an ambulance.
“Welcome Inspectore Clement.” The leader of
the school’s security
team said immediately Clement got down from
his own car with Mike.
“When did this happen?” Clement asked.
“I guess it happened overnight.” The man
replied.
“Wait o! Is this not the girl that came to give
us some helpful
information concerning her friend, Hadiza’s
death?” Clement asked no one
in particular.
“She was the one sir.” Mike replied.
Clement kept quiet for a few seconds looking
into space. He inhaled
deeply just then he realised he’s been
shedding tears.
–to be continued–

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[Story] Romance In The Circle – Episode 8

Episode 8

Clement and Mike hopped into the police car

parked outside the CSO’s

office and drove off. Things are begining to get

complicated and

interesting. First, a certain Mr Kingsley was

murdered the previous

week, then some gunmen attcked the police

headquarters for reasons best

known to them, few hours later, a terrorist

disguising as a bikeman took

Detective Okoro to an unknown destination.

The rescue team led by

Sergeant Habeeb was attacked and few

policemen escaped the attack, that

same night, a student was killed by some

unknown killers.

“Could all this be related?” Clement asked

himself as he brought the

car to a halt the moment when the traffic light

turns red.

“Seriously sir, the rate at which crime is being

committed in this

state is becoming alarming.” Mike said to his

boss.

“A state which was known for peace is now

becoming a shadow of its

former self.”

“Which one do we handle first?” Mike asked.

“It is very simple. Kingsley’s death and the

attack on the police

headquaters including Okoro’s abduction are

all from one angle while

this student’s murder is a different case

entirely. We’ll start with the

case involving the student, then hopefully it

may lead us to the

terrorists. You know we can’t do anything

concerning the terrorists now

unless Ngozi returns from coma and recounts

her ordeal.” Clement

explained.

“In few days we’ll be through with Hadiza’s

case. Thank God Dayo is

co-operating with us.” Mike added.

Clement only smiled as he ignited the car and

drove off. He knew

better than his patner.

+++++++++++++++

Dayo was walking on a deserted road inside

the school around the

engineering department building. She could

hear footsteps behind her but

she waved off the thougts of it being danger.

She was well aware that

every student must have retired to their

hostels latest by 8pm for

security purpose because no one wants to be

a victim. But the footstep

was becoming stronger and the person

seemed to be catching up on her but

she won’t stop walking. Just then she took to

her heels.

“If you dare take anymore step. You’ll have

yourself to blame.” A

deep masculine voice warned.

She recognised the voice pretty well and so

she was less perturbed.

“Deoye. You scared me.” She said when she

turned back to face her

late friend’s boyfriend.

Deoye who stood at 5ft 6inches, well built, fair

in complexion wore a

frown as he face his late gilrfiend’s friend.

“So you eventually killed her right?” Deoye

asked.

“I didn’t o. Why will I want to kill my friend

who I have dined

with, wined with, suffered with. We’ve done

many thing together why will

I want to kill her?”

“Are you asking me?” Deoye asked

brandishing a kitchen knife.

“Deoye, you are scaring me.” She complained.

“I don’t mean to scare you. I want to kill you.”

He replied.

“But am not responsible for Hadiza’s death.”

She said. She was begining to raise her voice.

“Fine. You took her to where she was

killed.”This time Deoye had closed up on her.

He stabbed her and dragged her body to a

nearby bush where it will be conspicous by

daybreak.

He took to his heels since he has

accomplished his goal.

–to be continued–

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[Story] Romance In The Circle – Episode 7

Episode 7

Dayo walked out of the hall and got outside in

search of her friend,

Hadiza. She searched franctically for her friend

but couldn’t find her,

just when she wanted to dial her number she

saw a body lying in between

two cars. Curiosity got the better of her and

she walked in the

direction of the body.

“Oh! my God.” She exclaimed as she saw the

body, a girl in a pool

of blood.

“Hadiza! somebody help….. Help.” She

screamed at the top of her

voice.

Her voice grew so loud that despite the loud

music blaring inside the

hall, people still managed to help. Hundreds of

students trooped out and

went to check the reason for the screams.

What they saw put many away

and they took to their heels while a few who

are brave enough put a call

through to the police but they didn’t wait for

the arrival of the

police because they knew they’ll surely pay a

price which is chilling in

the police cell for at least twenty four hours.

That was all Dayo saw before she passed out

and was rushed to the

hospital by her friends before the arrival of the

police.

+++Back in their hostel+++

Chioma was standing near the window tears

in her eyes just like

everyone else in the room. They’ve been

mourning the death of their

friend, Hadiza. An easy going girl who hardly

talked, she doesn’t talk

during lectures, she had no friend in her

department neither an enemy.

She was not the shy type but she was an

introvert. She only talked when

she is around her friends.

“Seriously, am going home.” Chioma

announced.

Everyone has been minding their business and

silence has taken over

the room until Chioma broke the silence.

“Going home? To do what?” Tola asked.

“Don’t you know the school is no longer safe

for any of us. Let us

all leave the school for a while and let the

police find whoever that

is responsible for Hadiz death. But…” Chioma

was saying when she broke

down in tears.

“I agree with you. But its late already. Early

tomorrow morning

we’ll all leave and attend lectures from home

till the time of our

exams.” Tola replied.

Just then Dayo’s phone rang. Everyone’s

attention turned to her.

“Hello please who is this? Yes it me Oladayo.”

She said on picking

the call.

She dropped the call after three minutes.

“The CSO(Chief Security Officer) wants to see

me in his office

now.” Dayo announced.

“Its almost 8pm.” Chioma said.

“Lemme go quickly. I’ll be back before nine.”

She replied as she

wore her flip flop slippers and walked out of

the room.

“Dayo wait. We’ll all go with you.” Tola said.

“Don’t bother. I’ll be fine.” She replied.

+++At the CSO office+++

The CSO, Mr Bankole was seated in his office

with the President of

the Student’s Union Government and two men.

“Thank God you came. Dayo, I believe this

man needs no

introduction.” Bankole began. Pointing to the

SUG president.

Dayo nodded in affirmative.

“This is Inspector Clement and Sergeant Mike.

They are men of the Nigerian police force.”

Bankole went on.

“Good evening Sirs.” Dayo greeted the two

men.

“Evening. How you doing Dayo?” Clement

asked.

“Am fine sir” She replied.

“We were here yeaterday but we were told you

are in the hospital. Hope you are good now.”

“Perfectly okay.” She replied.

“I learnt you are the one who discovered your

friend’s corpse. Tell us more about it.”

Clement went straight to the point.

Dayo said all that need to be said about the

party, the guy that took the late Hadiza

outside to talk but she kept the part when

Deoye sent her a message that he’ll kill her.

At exactly 9:15pm, Dayo was asked to go.

Since her hostel is a stone throw from the

CSO’s office, she decided to trek down home.

–to be continued–.

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[Story] Romance In The Circle – Episode 6

Episode 6

The two police teams led by Sergeant Habeed

drove into the untarred road where Inspector

Clement’s car was parked with its door

opened.

“Someone go check if the coast is clear.”

Habeeb ordered.

A young policeman in his mid twenties got

down from the police bus and went to the car.

“Stop right there.” A voice said from inside the

bush.

The young man dropped his weapon at once

and stood still waiting for his doom.

Meanwhile, Habeeb and the rest were watching

at the drama unfolds.

“This boy is a weakling. Lets get his Bottom

covered.” Habeen said

getting down from the bus and advancing

carefully towards the car.

Ngozi came out after realising that she just

got a policeman. She

came face to face with Habeeb and the others.

“Sergeant Habeeb.”Habeeb introduced saluting

her.

She did the same before introducing herself.

“Detective Ngozi.” She said too.

“I believe Okoro has been abducted.” Ngozi

took time to give account of how Okoro was

carried away by the bikeman.

“Their van drove deep into the forest through

this path.” Ngozi

explained.

Three policeman advanced deep into the

forest. Shortly afterwards,

three quick gunshots were heard.

“Did you hear that?” Ngozi asked.

“Yes I did. What could that be?” Habeeb

asked.

“I just hope they’ve not killed our men.” Ngozi

said.

Just then footsteps were heard approaching

them.

“I think we just ran into an ambush.” Habeeb

said.

“What do we do? Hold them on or retreat?”

Another police officer

asked.

“Its best if we retreat.” Habeeb adviced.

“No, we shouldn’t.”

“All men, fall back into the van. We are

retreating.” Habeeb

announced.

Just then gunshots began to pour on them

like a heavy downpour. Policemen scampered

around not knowing where the gunshots was

springing from. The gun battle continued for

the next few minutes with Sergeant Habeeb

nowhere in sight.

“Ngozi came out of her hiding place just when

a grenade was thrown to a policeman

somewhere beside a heap of sand.

“Hey! A bomb is there beside you. Get out of

there.”

Just then she was hit on the arm by a bullet

and at the same time, the grenade went off

and blew off the policeman into parts. Ngozi

passed out at once. Seeing that Ngozi is

down, other policemen took to their heels and

the battle stopped. Ngozi was carried into the

police bus and transferred to the hospital.

–to be continued

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[Story] Romance In The Circle – Episode 5

Episode 5

“Hakym, did you notice that cream coloured

car has been on our trail

since we left the police station?” Don, one of

the gunmen asked one of

his colleagues seated at the back of the van.

“You don’t mean it!” Hakym exclaimed.

“What’s the matter?” Kelvin who was behind

the wheels asked.

“See that cream coloured car on our trail.”

Hakym pointed.

Kelvin looked through the rear mirror.

“Eh! This is my brother’s car. This is the end.”

He matched on the

accelerator and the van barged forward.

Moving at its fastest pace.

+++Inside Clement’s car

Okoro was trying hard to keep up with the

blue van as well as trying

not to make his speed suspicious to the

occupants of the van. With the

latest development he knew his cover has

been blown because with the way

the van sped off, he has been seen. He

increased his speed too but the

van was miles away from him.

“What’s the problem?” Ngozi asked as soon as

Okoro swerved off the

road to join an untarred road which the van

went through few seconds

ago.

“Sincerly speaking I don’t know.” Okoro

replied.

Okoro continued to pummel the car along the

deserted road.

“I think its the fuel.” Okoro replied.

“Fuel? How come?” Ngozi asked looking at the

fuel meter to see it

blinking a red light.

“What do we do now?” He asked.

“I don’t know. The neares petrol station is over

hundred kilometre

away from here and no car seems to be

passing.” He replied himself.

Just then a motorcyclist came passing with a

sunshade covering his

eyes. They both stopped him and he obliged.

“Please take me to the nearest feeling

station.” Okoro pleaded.

The bikeman urged him to mount the bike and

rode off the bike leaving

Ngozi who is scared of staying alone in such a

deserted place.

She removed her phone but the service was

very bad, so she couldn’t

make calls or recieve any.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

++BACK IN AREA F-COMMAND++

Burahimo was loosing his temper and Mike

was trying to calm him down

while Clement was making a call.

“Habeeb, report reaching us now states that

Okoro and his partner

followed the gunmen that attacked the

headquarters. The took the route

that led to the boarder. Get two teams and

provide backup.” Clement

ordered.

“Right away sir.” Habeeb replied and sent a

message accross the

police headquarters requesting for eleven men

who will make up the two

teams.

+++In the deserted road++++

It over twenty minutes since Okoro left with

the bikeman and there

has been no trace of him or the bikeman. No

other vehicle has passed

since Okoro left and she is begining to feel

uneasy and scared too.

“I pray nothing happens to him.” She said as

she got down form the

car and went to stand in the middle of the

road with her gun firmly held

and her sense of alertness activated.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The bikeman took the turning by the left at a

junction marked with a

sign post Khal corp.

“Excuse me. Is this the way to the gas

station?” Okoro asked.

“I think you should shut up.” The bikeman

warned.

Okoro sensing danger at once jumped down

from the bike and rolled on

the floor. He removed his gun and just when

he wanted to cork the gun,

five armed men came out fom inside the bush.

“Pull the trigger and consider yourself a dead

man.” One of the

men warned as he shook the bikeman who

drove off through the pathway.

“What do you want from me?” Okoro asked.

“You bloody policeman. Pick him up.” The

man ordered as the

remaining four men carried him. Suprisingly,

he offered no resistance

and he calmly let them carry him and off they

went in the direction

where the bikeman had gone.

Okoro was praying in his mind as he was

being carried into the deeper part of the forest.

Just then he started hearing voices, percieving

smells of marijuana and burning flesh. They

came into a gathering of men who all had

guns hung on their shoulders jubilating as

they roasted a big antelop on fire.

“Who is this?” One of the men, an half caste

asked.

“A policeman on our trail.”

“B—–d.” They yelled at him as they threw all

manner of things at him. They kicked him

before he was carried away. He was brought

before a big gate which adorned a very big

mansion, a warehouse in the deepest part of

the forest.

“So something like this existed here.” He

wondered but he didn’t let his current

situation disturb him. He knew if he was to

get out of here alive, he needed the help of his

colleagues so he took time to take note of

strange and things that could speed up his

escape.

–to be continued 

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