[ Previously on E.10 ] "Are you sure you can drive? I don't mind driving you home and taking an Uber back to pick up my car." They were approaching Mercy's car, so they slowed down and stopped a few feet away. She turned bleary eyes to meet Tunde's calm ones. She could see the uncertainty and care in them. He was obviously still worried about her and she tried to give him a reassuring smile but failed.  "You know it will not be a problem," he continued; "besides it will be a great opportunity for me to get to know where your house is at. I still can't believe it took us forever to meet up after the last time. I just don't want you slipping away again. Infact, we must make out time to meet every weekend. What do you think?" He grinned down at her, eyes dancing. Mercy nodded slowly with a tight smile. She shouldered her bag and sighed deeply; "that's something I wish I did often with Bola. I wish I had made out time to see or mee

Not supporting Hushpuppi or any kind of crime by this article. However, when i read about his arrest, several questions crossed my mind: Is this a case of a son learning from his elders?  Are the Young ones getting better at this looting game that has been played and perfected by our leaders over the years?😏  What would have been his fate if he were a Naija politician and focused more on looting our collective wealth (oil money) and lodging same in banks abroad?  Is this a case of the young ones not being able to compete with the elders in the scramble for oil money, so they are diversifying and looting foreign currencies?

After 3 years of a tumultuous relationship, he turned his back on her for another who was younger, was willing to share his bed before the vows, had a nice job and  better prospects. He broke her heart without a backwards glance. No explanations. No remorse. No second thoughts. Not even thoughts of the few good times they shared. Thought of how she had on several occasions begged from family to support him when he was down and penniless and she was jobless. He told his friends about her. She heard the tales of how they laughed at her for keeping her virtue all those years and chided him for accepting such. His family said; at her age she might not be able to give you children. You can't marry your mate. Never.

[ Previously on Darkness E. 9] Bola! Her friend and sister murdered?   God this pain is too much for me. Why my Bola?   Mercy's body shook as the heavy torrent of tears flowing down her face mingled with her running nose and soaked the front of her gown. She knew she looked unsexy but she didn't care. Life seemed to have lost it's appeal all of a sudden. Her heart felt as if it had been ripped off from its root. It felt like a part of her had been mercilessly yanked off, leaving her sad and sore. She buried her face in her open palms while waves of sobs racked her tender body. "Mercy please, I take God beg you, stop crying like this. You will hurt yourself." Tunde's face mirrored his concern. He reached down and peeled her hands off of her face as his sad eyes ran over her. She was sitting helplessly at the back seat of his car crying her eyes out. If only tears could bring Bola back to them. She knew she needed to pull herself together and think of how to get

[Continue from  E. 8 ] Mercy was among the first to get to the venue of the Covid-19 Presidential task force press briefing. She still felt grumpy from her lack of adequate sleep. Her active mind had persistently replayed her discussion with Ben almost all night. Yet she failed to figure out what was going on with her man. Was he still her man ? That was the question on her mind when she eventually fell asleep only for her blasted alarm to buzz her awake after three hours of sleep.  Her body had refused to get out of the bed,  having gotten used to waking up late, thanks to the lockdown. It took several  minutes of mental motivation before she could drag herself up then head for the bathroom for a quick shower, dress up carefully and hurry off to work without a bite of breakfast while Ben was still fast asleep in his room where he had locked himself up before she could get off the call with her boss last night. We will have to talk when I get back.  Mercy yawned and peered at the stran

Don't forget to Read E. 7 .   B en reached around her to grab her cutlery. Arranging her in his lap, Mercy suppressed a giggle, he focused on artfully dissecting the baked chicken drumsticks on her plate. Mercy's gaze followed his skilled fingers. She loved those fingers. Memories of how they had played her sensitive body like a clavier maestro all afternoon threatened to flood her restless mind but she clamped down on them. Now wasn't the time. She was more intent on getting answers to the puzzle plaguing her mind. Even the hunger pangs she had felt earlier had disappeared despite the unarguably mouthwatering meal Ben had painstakingly prepared for the night.  Moving slightly in his lap, she continued; "I think it's weird." Her voice was flat. Ben cleared his throat noisily. Her plate still held his rapt attention;  "Well, I think it's probably because you've refused to keep your mind busy during this lock down. I mean, why wont you forget thing

Catch up on E. 6 "I am just tired but I will be fine. Don't worry too much.” Mercy grabbed the extra bottle of water on the table and gulped down most of it. That was her third bottle that night and she still felt unbelievably thirsty. Licking the water off her lips, she looked up to catch Ben's eyes on her. His eyes darted from her full lips to her partly touched dinner and back to her lips. She could guess what was going through his mind. Her body tingled in response. Ben pushed his plate away and stood up. "Too tired to eat?" He queried, reached for her hand and pulled her up.  She readily went to him and her worries flew out of her head the moment she felt his warm body against hers. His eyes riverted on her, unblinking, burning with the same emotions that had left her confused all day.  "Sit. I will feed you."

Read E. 5 Ben got comfy on the leather sofa in front of the large wall-mounted TV. He picked up his Xbox joystick from the tiled floor and grinned slowly at the thought of getting lost in the game world. Without taking his eyes off the screen, he pushed a throw pillow behind him on the sofa and watched as the game loaded. He was staring at the screen with so much intensity that he didn’t hear a door squeal open. “Ben?” The immersive display and sound of heavy gunfire bouncing off the walls of the living room from the high quality home theatre speakers had Ben's undivided attention and blurred the voice calling out from behind him.  His love for the game had been reignited by the lock down and it was gradually becoming his best companion. The thrill and rush of adrenaline it triggered in him always left him coming back for more. “Ben!” A hand brushed against his shoulder and Ben jumped off the sofa, spun around with the same speed and paused. H

    Continue From Darkness   E.4 The sound of a baby crying pierced into the darkness. Someone should hush that baby! Can someone please? I am trying to sleep. As if in response to her silent plea, the baby’s voice faded. Mercy sighed with relief and grunted when something soft and warm lingered on her forehead. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. She winced against the bright  light hanging above her head. Her vision blurred and she shut her eyes. The lingering fragrance of mixed spices tickled her nostrils as her brain awakened. She carefully opened her eyes, blinking rapidly, she wondered where she was. A face suddenly appeared above her and Mercy jolted.

              Stop the spread of Corona virus Now 1. Stay Home To Save Lives 2. Maintain a safe Distance      3. Cover Your Mouth When coughing or Sneezing 4. Do Not touch your Eyes, Nose or Mouth       5. Wash Your Hands regularly with Soap & Water       6. Feeling Sick? Contact NCDC Help Line           Together, We Will Overcome         

Continue From;   DARKNESS E.3  Mercy felt a terrified shriek rise in her throat as it dawned on her that it's dark gaze were directly on her. Is it...? Jesus! It’s moving! A startled voice screamed in her head. Snapping out of her near paralysis, she hurriedly slid off the seat and crouched down under the steering wheel. Panic surged through her veins as she felt the cold fingers of fear grip her thumping heart. "Shit! Shit!"  She chanted like a prayer. From her position, she could feel the engine of her car humming. What was that? Oh my God it was looking at me. ..She placed her hand on her chest as if trying to prevent her heart from jumping out.  I need to get out of here ...Her brain blasted out of the frightening daze that was walling it in. She desperately looked around the plush interior of her car, trying to figure her next best move. Sweat broke out on her forehead. It was as if the AC had malfunctioned. "Mercy! I am talking to you!&qu