He promised to pay up the money immediately the company paid the money into his account. Determined to help, I met Peter, a new acquaintance of mine who supplied us with furniture when we furnished our office and begged him to release the goods to Jude on trust. I promised to personally pay him, as soon as the delivery is made and the money is paid into Jude’s account. Peter, in order not to displease me obliged, after much hesitation. To facilitate ease of execution of the supply, I released N250, 000 which I had saved overtime to Jude, to take care of transportation costs and other miscellaneous expenses. He was so happy, thanked me and promised to get back to Lagos in two weeks time, so that I would pay Peter his money. Two weeks elapsed and I called Jude’s cell phone number, but it was switched off. Three weeks passed, yet I didn’t hear from him. I was worried. Three months rolled by into eternity, yet Jude was at large. I couldn’t make out what was happening. “Did anything go wrong along the way or what?” I kept imagining wildly but could not come up with anything reasonable as to what the problem could be. Annoyed and worried, Peter called me on the phone. 1 pleaded with him to have patience and that Jude would soon come back. At one time, I had to tell him that Jude was on his way back to Lagos, just to calm him down. “I don’t believe that you are doing this to me, Sam,” he said to me one day as he banged the phone on me. I told him that I would handle the matter myself but that he should hang on a bit. Soon Peter ran out of patience and reported the matter to the police CID, Alagbon who waded into the matter. I was arrested and queried by the PO. I was asked to make some statements with which they commenced in-depth investigations into the matter. They traced Jude’s route, based on what I told them to the best of my knowledge. The police travelled to Port Harcourt to the said company which Jude quoted and finally, it was found out that the whole contract story was a scam and that Jude diverted the goods to the shop of another accomplice of his. He auctioned them and quickly disappeared into thin air.On further probing of his accomplice, it was later gathered from him under duress that Jude has travelled out of the country with the money. I was detained by the police for two days. I couldn’t believe It was true, it was so unreal. I broke down in tears as I slumped in the cell, sobbing like a baby. I didn’t sleep at all for the two nights, as mosquitoes kept me awake, singing their nasty tingling music in my ears.The next morning. I was able to reach Anna, my girl friend with the phone of a good policeman who cared to help me. Anna had been good to me. I met her just three months ago and I have even told my mum about her. We were getting on well and I was hoping to settle down with her as soon as I renovated our old house in the village. Anna came and looked at me with bewilderment written all over her face. “What happened Sammy?” she asked as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. “I will tell you all later, you just have to go and get some money so that you will bail me out of here now.” I said to her. I gave her the keys to my apartment and told her where to search in my wardrobe and collect the N5,000 I kept there. In less than two hours, she came back and’ was asked to write an agreement. Peter said he would accord me a period of grace of three months within which I have to pay back the money and failure to do so within the stipulated time would result to legal action against me. So, penned down my consent that I would pay at the said time. But where in the world would I get such an amount of money to pay back Peter? 1 wondered at what might again befall me if I failed to pay this time around. We got home later in the evening. “Uchenna is really worried at what happened to you,” Anna said as she sat down on the cushion. “What, did you call him?” “Yes, of course,” she replied with a little surprise on her face. “Oh, no, but why, did I ask you to do that? Why, Ann?” 1 screamed. “But did 1 do anything wrong?” “No, 1 don’t mean that you did anything wrong. He will definitely tell mum and 1 don’t want her to hear about it at all. My mother is diabetic and she frequently suffers from high blood pressure. That’s what I am avoiding. Anna:’ I said as I slumped into a chair. “Well, no problem. All will be fine.” 1 lay down, trying to see if 1 could catch some sleep. But it was not ‘forth coming. ‘ God! What offence did I commit in trying to assist a friend? Is it evil to help someone in need?’ I couldn’t find answers to these questions. My heart ached. I dozed off a bit Soon, my phone rang and it was Uchenna calling me. “Mum is down, brother. She fainted few minutes ago and I am running around looking for a taxi to rush her to hospital”. “My God. What? Did you tell her anything?” “Yes, I told her that you were arrested by the police for an offence that you didn’t commit. You know how she loves you. Since then, she has been crying.””Okay, Uche, I will get back to you.” I didn’t really know what to do next. I know that he wanted me to send some money but where on earth would I get it now?”I dressed up to resume work. I met the company secretary as I walked in . “Good morning. Esther, how are you?” “Fine” she replied coldly. , I wondered why this unusual greeting. I entered my office, switched off my phone and mumbled a few words of prayer, committing my mother in prayer. Soon I , heard a knock on my door and I quickly said amen. “Sir, the M.D wants to see you,” the messenger said. “Thank you. I will be there in a few minutes time:’ I walked to the office of the Managing Director. “Good morning MD”,’ I greeted him. “Good morning. How are you?” “Fine sir. Thank you:’ He ushered me a seat and I sat down. He looked up and down and then pulled up an envelope in his file tray. He handed me the envelope and said, “Well, I am sorry to inform you that your services are no longer required by this reputable company until you redeem your battered image and credibility. Excuse me please.” And with that he walked out of the office. “But, I need to .. .” he cut and said, “Please, go and clear yourself with the Police CID at Alagbon. When you are through, then we may consider you.” I looked up and down. Tears flowed down spontaneously. I rushed out of the office, and boarded the next taxi back to the house to see Anna and tell her how my world had come crashing down. As soon as I got to the house, I saw Anna, rushing out of the house and her eyes were red. “Ah I was about locking the house to come and meet you in office. Uchenna called me and said he’s been calling your number but it appears that it was switched off.” It was then I remembered that my phone had been off since 1 entered the office. I noticed she began to sob. ”What is it?” “Your mum is ….. :’ “Whaaat, common, what is it Anna, what did he tell you?” “Your mum is dead.” “Oh, God!” With that, my briefcase fell off my hands and the sack letter fell off. She bent down and picked It up. “What letter is this?” She asked. “I have just been fired by the management!” I said as I collapsed on the staircase. Depressed and battered, , am presently battling with the triple problems of recovery from the nightmarish experience in the hands of a “friend” , securing a new job to be able to pay Peter for his goods and burial of my poor mother who couldn’t live long to reap the fruits of her labour. …To Be Continued
