THE HAUNTED CONSCIENCE

“Uche, this reminds me of.........”; “Just get your mouth shut and let's concentrate on the reason we are here”; Uche replied Obiri worringly

“I wonder why he always have issue with words related to memories; what at all is wrong with Uche”; he said to himself. They both left happilly after receiving the payment and an extra money for their good job. On their way home, Uche showed great sign of fear immediately he heard the voice and set sights on the bird. “He walked quickly ahead of me into our ghetto (a small wooden structure but trust me, the best home for now though we having a bigger picture of our future)”. He did same on their way to work and was nearly knocked down by a vehicle but fortunately to have moved on the moment the green light turned on. With hands covering his wide opened mouth in shock: “What is wrong with you U, Uc, Uche. What do you want me to go and tell your parents huh? Be careful Oo, be careful”; Obiri shouted and warned angrily

Obiri sat worringly in front of Uche and questioned his sudden change of character since their arrival in the city in search of greener pastures and began wondering why he pushed for the fast track of their plan into the city. He finally asked: “Uche I have been your childhood friend and a brother and haven't hidden anything from you, unlike yourself but; this becoming something is really getting me very very worried. What are you hiding from me brother?; “There's nothing I'm hiding from so free your nerves and feel less worried. Anyway, thanks for your concern.” They ended such a conversation amidst laughter: “So you still don't want to stop this your comedy thing abi? It will be good for you to turn it into your profession, errh! Professional Comedian. Anyway, I still thank you so much for your concern”; “You just don't have to keep mentioning it, you have also been there for me since; even before we were born.” They then took their meals together and receiving an extra pay for their work, having something wealthy atop their rice wasn't a bad idea; even if the less expensive egg will do thus, had the most expensive meal that night.

“Good morning bros”; Uche greeted “Good morning and hope you had a free night today since yesterday too was okay?”; “Yes Ooo my bros, remember the woman said a friend of hers will need our service?”; “Yes, yes but you know that man needed our service so badly and to have come over here tells much. So I think we should honour his service because; he really need that land cleared with urgency.”; “Okay call him then to meet us there but I guess [amidst smiles] you charge am well”; “He's paying like times ten of what was received for even the biggest plot in the village.”; he finally added and they both left for the place after reaching the man.

For people who are used to and really good at it does it well and quickly. “I thought you’d even use like two to three days, I will be on my way”. They tiredly sat under a shade amidst chat and laughter and surprisingly, Uche had to leave for home.

He had to take to his heels when the man's daughter's toy caw and them most amazing part; frm where he was, never knew if it was real or fake but, knew where the sound came from. The man and his wife together with their came off the car to inspect the work done with questions raised about his immediate reaction. “Sir please forgive us but; Uche only left after realizing our house hasn't been locked. We have been robbed once, ooh! Our hard earned money [amidst crocodile tears] all disappeared [wiped his tears]. We have become extra careful since then until making such an unthoughtful mistake today.”; “Very sorry but; you have done a very good job. Honey what do you think?”; “More than I thought”. 

Obiri received payment for their job and was assured of being given more when colleagues needed such a service but earlier on: “Nice toys”; “Do you like it?”; being granted permission by the man's wife, gave the toy to him. “Thank you so much sir, we wholeheartedly appreciate it”; “ We also thank you for the speediest job done”; thus, they all went their way to their various destinations.

Hidden in a plastic bag, he got home to find him seated silently outside their ghetto and without uttering a word, gave him his share of the money onto his laps and entered the room. Obiri avoided Uche from thence thus; would only write a note and place on him of a job and location and the pay and leaves very early ahead of him. Uche did his best to know why his only best friend is avoiding him but to no avail; only played deaf and dumb.

On days they decide to rest, wakes up from bed late as well just to refreshen up especially when they have a contract at hand and the plots seem big. 

Tapping him continually: “Bros, bros, bros, wake up eerrh”. Woke up and stared at him without asking why he had called him and decided to go back to sleep since he hasn't said anything as well for some few seconds: “Please don't sleep”; he pleaded. He seeked to know and apologized for any inconvenience he may have caused that has led to being avoided thus; Obiri turned to the plastic bag and brought out the gift he was given and he moved back quickly in fear

“During our days in the village when birds seem difficult to find for us, I decided to hit the crows which is a taboo to. I felt they were the reason for the absence of all the other birds thus; the reason to kill them one after the other. The many of them found dead were killed by me secretly until I faced the worst day of my life and a secret I've kept in my heart yet; had kept haunting my conscience. I was the one responsible for Wofa Tanko’s death on that palm tree.......”; “Huh! You what?”; “It wasn't intentional thus; missed out on a bird but how do you expect to say it knowing to be an unintentional murderer out of fear. I was about hitting a crow as usual and missed out, just to hear someone shout and took to my heels. [Shedding tears emotionally] Obiri I realized to have killed him because that stone in his head was mine, the city was the only optiont to run away from this guilt but; little did I knew my conscience would haunted even far from home.”

Obiri consoled him and moved with him to the village. They went together with some few elders, narrated how it all happened and seek Mama Tanko’s forgiveness which was granted him and since that day, his conscience was freed and lived a normal life once again. “Being disciplined in every aspect of life is the only gateway to freedom. You may feel the past is forgotten and might not want to have anything doing with it but; once it had happened, the past can never be made away with totally. The conscience will one way or the other reflect on it because if you don't, something might”; Obiri finally added.