Capt. Mike Exclusive

Capt. Mike Exclusive

Agu, J. R.

agujr24@yahoo.com

Copyright © Agu, J. R., 2015

The moral right of the author has been asserted

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition

Cover picture by S. Ognier http://www.themanufacturer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/A380_On_Ground.jpg

All scriptural quotations are indicated as applied and quoted from PC Study Bible Version 5.

This book is fictional. All actions, characters, events, incidents, names, places and settings are wholly the author’s creativity, imagination and invention, and therefore, absolutely coincidental and uncalculated in the event of any similarities with any living or dead person(s).

EBook ISBN – 978 131 000 9839

Dedication

…this first fruit is for God – the giver of fruits…

Acknowledgement

I heartily appreciate and salute everyone that believes in this dream and takes a moment with this work – it’s designed for you and thanks a lot.

I acknowledge the contributions of everyone to the success of this work both directly and indirectly – you are never ignored, I really do appreciate.

The publisher, for answering my seemingly unending questions, editors and every business partner that contributed in one way or the other to the success of this work – I am really grateful.

To all of my once and present teachers, lecturers and instructors both directly and indirectly – you taught me to read and write – I hope I am making you proud. Thank you!

To my colleagues and friends far, near, old and new with M. Anaedevha Esq as a representation – thank you a million.

To the church, my Reverends, Pastors, Church Leaders, brethren and the Nigerian Chaplaincy Corps – Thanks a million.

To believers and the body of Christ generally – thank you for making the right decision.

To unbelievers all around the world – thank you for being there and do not forget ‘there are still cosy exquisite rooms for every one of us – claim yours now’

To you my loved ones, no you, I mean you, yes you – thank you for letting me love you and loving me for loving you.

My family both extended and nuclear – Mr A. J. Agu, Ms A. J. Rachael, Mumme Mrs F. J. Agu and Dadme Mr J. A. Agu – this work is alive today because you made it possible and I scream ‘I am genuinely grateful!’

Finally, to God – what can I say that will be rightly worthy and commensurate? ‘If you are reading this, help me out please…’

Table of Contents

1 – Father Please

2 – Palm Wine

3 – Perfect Blend

4 – The Attack

5 – The Visit

6 – The Setback

7 – Holiday

8 – Preparations

9 – Christmas

10 – Unlimited Meat

11 – The Spinning Decision

12 – Last Fight

13 – Special Aunt

14 – Diamonds

15 – Gender Equality

16 – Father’s Boy

17 – Honesty

18 – Sisters

19 – Impressive

20 – Friends

21 – Government or Colour

22 – Contests

23 – Aviation Conference

24 – Freedom

25 – Daddy Please

1

Father Please

I will not repeat it! Please! Please!! Father please! I will not repeat it! I cried.

Though I cried aloud and shed so much tears, my father seemed to care less but continued to whip me on my naked buttocks until my mother came please, it is enough, let him go, please she pleaded.

He let me free and as usual, I knelt down before him to thank him but he cut in and announced go and thank your mother that saved you, else your buttocks would have been shredded into a million pieces today.

I turned to my mother and was about to kneel down when she gently pulled me close to her, wiped the tears on my face with her two thumbs, laying them from towards my nose around the bridge on both sides and gently dragging them down to my cheeks.

Sorry eh, she said as she used her right thumb and forefinger to clean my running nose.

While I was being attended to tenderly by my mother, I heard my father yell hey, get out of here!.

These children are just unnecessarily stubborn he announced.

Out of fear, I instantly slipped out of my mother’s tender fingers and ran into the room while I overheard her say please, always take it easy with these children. They are just children and we do not expect them to reason as deep as matured people.

Well, I did not overhear how they completed as I ran into the room, but I am very sure my father would never agree to that insinuation, especially in relation to what happened.

What resulted in my being flogged was earlier on that afternoon, my mother had called me to send me on an errand but I refused.

Miiiiiiiichael!... Miiiiiiiichael!!... Miiiiiiiiiichael!!!... I heard her call three different times but deliberately, I uttered some jargons and ran out of the house. Unknowingly to me, my father had been watching from his bedroom window which was strategically placed to see whatever is happening in the compound. In the village then, everyone builds his house. So, he had deliberately placed the window there to allow him see everything happening within the compound and whoever was coming in and going out of the compound. Had it been that I knew my father was watching, I never would have disobeyed my mother because I understand his stance on discipline even as young as I was then, and I knew clearly the consequences of disobedience from his end.

My mother, on the other hand, had been very lenient and tolerant, maybe that was why we found it easy to disobey her boldly, knowing that no consequences at all awaited our actions, inactions and reactions.

I thought I had succeeded in escaping the errand successfully until when Gabriel came to the field where I was playing with my friends. At first, I thought he also came to join us but he announced Mike, father wants you home immediately! I instantly realised something was wrong since it was unusual, especially at that particular time.

I rushed to Gabriel what happened?

I don’t know Gabriel answered though I heard him say ‘how can a child be disobedient to his mother in broad daylight?’ It seems it is because mother called you and you refused to answer but instead ran out of the house, Gabriel suggested.

Tell him you did not see me, I told Gabriel.

No, I will not. I won’t lie, Gabriel declined.

Please Gabriel, I begged.

I will tell him you are playing and you refused to come, Gabriel announced.

Please…, please…, please now, I pleaded. Finally, Gabriel agreed.

I still continued to play stubbornly until it was evening. I was totally dusty and dirty and knew that just my getting that dirty was enough reason to get me punished at home, so I ran to the river and cleaned up before going home. My friends all ran home without waiting for me. They were never treated the way my father treated us and then I used to think that our father hated us, and wished I came from the other parents.

After bathing, I took my clothes, tried to scrub some of the dirt off with my hands and then wore them. It was while I was on the way home that I began to face reality, I suddenly felt very bad knowing the punishment I was about to face for disobeying my mother earlier on. I did not really feel bad for disobeying my mother but felt sorry for myself in lieu of the pending punishment.

Suddenly, a thought came to me while I was very close home. I then turned back to a banana plantation along the river. I went to the large banana farm and cut down some of its leaves. I arranged them neatly into about ten sheets and then tucked them between my buttocks and trouser. A bit relieved, I walked home confidently, thinking I am the latest scientist in town with a new invention – the cure for cane.

My father and mother were sitting on the veranda as usual when I entered.

Good evening father, good evening mother, I greeted and pretended as if nothing was wrong. As I expected, my mother had forgotten and answered my greeting very well, but my father kept quiet and his silence confirmed to me that the show was still on.

I was about to step into the room when I heard,

Where are you coming from? It was my father.

I was playing with my friends in the field, I answered.

How comes Gabriel went all over this village looking for you but could not find you? he asked.

I kept quiet as my mother interrupted children can run all over the place papa Gabriel, please let him go and eat his dinner.

I further confirmed she had forgotten and was glad she was with me at the time.

Suddenly, we heard a knock on the door. It was the daughter of the women leader Good evening papa Gabriel, good evening mama Gabriel, she greeted.

Good evening my daughter, what is it? my mother responded.

My mother asked me to inform you that the wrapper supplier is here. She said you should bring the money to pay him, the girl announced.

My mother was the women treasurer then, so she was responsible for keeping the women’s contributions.

Tell your mother I will be right there, she told the girl as she stood up and walked into the room.

Good night, the girl uttered as she walked out of the entrance door.

Within some few minutes, my mother came out of the room with her handbag and announced that she was going to the women leader’s house - that was the bad news for me. I felt like urging her to stay back until we are done but I dared not and besides, she never thought it was anything serious between my father and I, as she had long forgotten that I disobeyed her.

As my mother walked out the entrance door, my father cleared his throat, uh uh uh uh meaning back to our earlier contention.

Why did your mother send you earlier on and you refused? he asked.

She did not send me, I denied.

Oh, she did not send you, eh? He stood up from his chair and went into the room.

I knew what he went to do and before he returned with the cane, I was already crying, please, please father, I will not repeat it.

What is it that you will not repeat? Did you not just say that she did not send you? he asked.

I am so sorry father, I cried, though I knew I had something on to cushion the pains but to deceive him, I cried all the same.

Next time when your mother sends you on a message or wants to send you on one, you will respond appropriately. He stated as he raised his cane and hit me on the bottom.

It worked, I thought, the pain is considerate, though I still cried.

He flogged and flogged as I jumped up and down at the same time crying out loudly. Suddenly, the leaves began to wear out and the pieces fell to the ground as he whipped my buttocks. He then realised that something was wrong. He put his hands on my buttocks and squeezed it. He felt some of the leaves and then asked me to remove my trouser. As I pulled down my trouser, pieces of worn out banana leaves fell all over the place.

I knew something was wrong because of the size of your buttocks but I never thought it could be this bad, he declared.

So you know what you did to the extent that you looked for pain reliever. I am happy to know that you acted deliberately because you have a vaccine for pain, he stated.

Naked, he flogged me badly that sitting became difficult for some days. Wow, the feeling was really bad.

2

Palm Wine

Back then in the village, there used to be village meetings every last Saturday of odd numbered months. The meetings used to be rotational, from one family house to the other and so on till every family hosted one. The meetings discussed issues on how to make progress, maintain peace, mutual understanding and boost development in the village. Where necessary, the villagers made extra monetary contributions to carry out pressing projects that would affect their lives positively apart from the general monthly community development contributions.

Customarily, from the contributions made by the villagers, refreshments were provided during the meetings. The village women would meet in the host’s house, normally from Friday morning and start making arrangements towards the meeting on Saturday. The women would clean the whole house, begin to prepare food depending on what they agreed to cook, fry meat and do so many other chores. Whenever it was my father’s turn to host the meeting, I used to feel very excited and alive. Our house would suddenly become busy and interestingly noisy with women chattering, joking and laughing enthusiastically. Though we were kids then and were not allowed to attend, we used to overhear their discussions whenever we wanted to and felt the excitement associated with the meetings.

After cleaning and making all necessary arrangements against Saturday between morning and afternoon, the women would retire to their various houses in the evening and return very early the next morning to prepare the final food for the meeting. The women would be preparing food while the men held the meeting till it was time for refreshment. The women would then serve the foods and drinks, everyone would eat and drink merrily to satisfaction before departure.

As children, we were not usually left behind. In fact, we used to eat to our satisfaction, even excessively just from the left-overs, and the dogs keep cracking bones for like a week after the meeting - it was always a totally beautiful experience.

On one of the Friday evenings, before the meeting that was scheduled to hold in my father’s house, after the women had finished pre-arrangements and left, some large jugs of palm wine were brought in and stored against the Saturday meeting at a corner in my father’s large sitting room. My father does not drink palm wine and totally hated the idea of drinking palm wine at meetings, most especially in his house. He hated the fact that palm wine was being stored in his house but he had no option since many of the other villagers liked it, and it was a village meeting where the majority wins, no matter how odd their choices were, and the minority losses no matter how outstanding their choices were.

On several occasions, my father had moved against the provision of palm wine at the meetings but those for palm wine always had higher votes. There was a time when he tried to convince them, citing instances where some of the villagers beat their wives and cursed their children, some even staggered, swayed, fell off the road and got seriously injured after the meetings just because they were drunk and could not function logically as sensible human beings. He had also argued that the most important reason to keep palm wine away is the negative influence he believed it has on the children who are the future. If we are to ever expect any logic from these ones coming up, we must keep them away from these drinks that take away common sense, even at our temporal discomfort which is ultimately for good, he had debated.

In fact, there was a time that a villager took so much palm wine during the meeting that he lost his bicycle till date. What happened was that he came to the meeting with his bicycle but after the meeting, there was a heavy rainfall. While going home on the bicycle, he missed his way and took the road that heads to the village bridge instead. It was while he was on the bridge that he slipped and fell. There was no light and it was raining heavily on the wooden bridge constructed by the villagers.

It was God that saved him that day, because his bicycle fell off the bridge and the heavy downpour went away with it till date. He was lucky enough that the shirt he was wearing got hooked on to one of the poles on the side of the bridge which held him helplessly till people came to his aid after the rain.

His wife had waited but did not see her husband. She came to my father’s house and asked but he was not there. She went to friends and families too but no one saw him after he left the meeting with the bicycle.

Normally, after the meetings, women were the last to leave the venue because they had to get the place cleaned, wash the dishes, pots and help the host wife put everything in place.

After doing all the post-arrangements for between thirty minutes to one hour and waiting for another thirty minutes or so for the rain to subside, the wife was surprised on getting home to discover that her husband was not yet there. She asked the children if he had returned before going out again but the answer was no mother She became so surprised that her husband was not yet home even with his bicycle speed advantage.

Besides, most spouses used to enjoy a good night together after such an excited day, especially with a heavy downpour. So, how come her love was not yet home? She was so disturbed. After the news spread round that night, families and friends then organised themselves into groups and headed out in search of him.

Some were wondering if he had been picked for dinner by wild animals that usually roam at night.

Lo and behold, a group of the search and rescue team found him held helplessly at the wooden bridge by a wooden pole. He was groaning helplessly and carelessly too. He did not even seem to notice or know what was happening. The groan might have just been a reflex action as a result of his state at the time, which he seemed to care less about.

He was carried defencelessly back home and one would wonder how come a stupor like him was able to ride a bicycle that far. The next morning, people from the village travelled to the villages nearby to ask for the bicycle but no positive result was obtained and that was the end of that bicycle. Days after days, months after months, it was expected that somehow somewhere, positive news about the bicycle whereabouts would come up but none till now.

It was because of this kind of situation and many more that my father wanted palm wine to be withdrawn from the meetings and if possible banned in the whole village, but he was laughed at. Some of the villagers said that getting drunk takes away their sorrows, while others were of the opinion that, at least, a special day like that should be coloured with drinks of every kind, including palm wine and any other affordable hard drink. I heard Mr Monday say in one of the previous meetings that you need to teach your children to take palm wine yourself. What bad influence are you talking about or is it that you lack common sense yourself? he asked while drunk.

So, on that Friday evening, when they dropped the palm wine and left, I went to the sitting room, checked left, right, front and back. When I observed properly that nobody was around and watching, I hurried into my mother’s kitchen and picked a cup, then sneaked carefully into the sitting room while observing every access and keeping my ears at alert. I opened one of the jugs, turned towards the door to confirm that no one was watching, and then turned the palm wine into the cup, like a half. I had to leave it like that because if I took much, they might notice, I thought.

Because I was a child and my thought was deficient, I did not even think of the smell or its ability to intoxicate me, especially for the fact that, that was my first time of ever trying and most importantly, the fact that every crime leaves a trace, especially the ones related to my father and against his rules.

I raised the cup close to my lips and stretched out my tongue, just about to first taste a little. Hey! What do you think you are doing? It was my father.

Out of colossal fear, I trembled all over and shivered tremendously that the cup fell off my hand and splashed the palm wine all over the room.

What did you just do? he asked angrily.

It seemed that splashing the room with palm wine was a more serious offence than attempting to drink it. I knew well that he hated the smell and never wanted us any close to it. I quivered seriously and wondered what I got myself into even before the real experience began.

Calmly he said go beside my bed, take money, buy detergent and clean that mess. I do not want to smell any palm wine here after your cleaning. He tried to calm himself down else, I would have been crucified instantly.

I was already crying because I knew what was coming. I ran to the side of his bed, picked money and ran off to buy detergent while crying all along. I was breathing heavily, sobbing awfully and running laboriously till I got home with the detergent. Still sobbing, I cleaned the whole room and cleaned it again and again to ensure there was no smell of palm wine in the room. I sniffed over and over again and cleaned over and over again till I could not perceive any smell. Still crying with no time to prepare for the pending punishment, I looked at myself and felt irritated for insisting on going contrary to my father’s instruction.

After I finished cleaning, I went to my father and told him since I already knew the next action, and experience had taught me that it was never skipped.

Are you sure you cleaned it well? he asked.

Yes father, I answered.

Go and wait for me in the room, he calmly directed.

I went to the room and waited.

Immediately I saw him coming, I began to cry heavily please father, please, please, I will not repeat it.

He took his whip and whipped me on the buttocks seriously.

I know you do not understand properly without a cane, he told me while he continued.

I had warned you never to take palm wine before. Did I not? he asked.

You did father, I answered.

Then why were you taking it? he questioned.

I was not taking it father, I responded.

What were you doing? he asked.

I kept quiet because I could not say I was about to take it, it all results to the same thing.

I said what were you doing? he yelled.

I am so sorry, I will not repeat it, father, I cried as he raised his whip up high and whipped me the more.

I will not repeat it, please, please, father please, I will not repeat it! I cried louder.

Did you not eat food today? he asked.

I ate father, I answered.

Is there no water in the house? he further questioned.

There is father, I replied.

Then why did you have to…have to… have to… as he raised his hand very high up and whipped me the more.

Please father, please, please, I will not repeat it, I kept crying.

He paused a little, looked straight into my face with disappointment while still holding my left wrist with his left hand "You do not understand simple instruction without a cane.