Many had lost their lives in the ghastly motor accident that happened along Lagos-Ibadan express road. A tanker filled with petrol had fallen and that had led to an explosion. A number of thirty cars got burnt. A school bus had been involved. People had died and the video she watched was how human body parts are packed inside a polythene bag. Blood had been spilled. People wailed and shouted.

Lola shut her eyes. This had happened sometime during the day when she was all but busy thinking about what outfit to wear to a family dinner. At that time, people's heart bled. Many lives were lost and she was in a safe cosy place thinking about nothing but dinner. On the Whatsapp status of her friends was #PrayforNigeria. First it was crises between Fulani herd men and some people then Jos crises and now a ghastly motor accident. Will Buahri's regime ever get better? In her heavy mind, she prayed for her country.

She went through her phone to call Osas. She has missed a call from Osas and that had happened when the drama began in her grandfather's house. What a way to end a happy family dinner? Pelumi just had a way of ruining her family's happy moment. And her grandmother, that woman had been one of the main reason behind her parents' cold marriage. The old woman favours the bitch a lot. Lola imagined her mother still fuming with anger and her grandmother hurt from her mother's hateful words. It was not the first time both mother and daughter in law had fought. It was one of the plenty times so it was nothing new.

Lola stared at the phone screen for a while before leaving for the bathroom. In the bathroom, a bath tub full of water waited for her. She had poured soap into it and on the surface of the water, foam danced. Humming, she slipped the robe off her body and stood in the middle of the large bathroom. She glanced at herself in the mirror which caused a smile to form over her lips. With the beauty she was looking at, with that delicate sensitive skin of hers, she would pass for a L'Oreal advertisement. Still please with what she looked at, Lola picked a hairband from the wash basin. She had forgotten it there in the morning. One swoop of her braids in a hand, she slid the band through then prepared for a relaxing bath after putting on a shower cap.

Holding her panties in hand, the sight of red against white caused a quick rise of fury within her. Really? Does it have to be now? She hissed letting the white silky material drop on the floor then slid into water. She would tend to the stain on the panty later. There was no sign. She closed her eyes. There had been one. The fullness in her breasts and slight ache. Only if she had paid attention but the week had been so stressful for her to think about how late it had been. It was two days late. She clicked her tongue. Was she the only one who found menstruation frustrating? The mood swing, the restlessness, the feeling of nausea or sickness that came at times. Menstruating was like been partially pregnant. There was no need to think. What she had to do at the moment was enjoy the coolness of the water.

Joshua was a cultist. That was one thing that rang in her head. He had killed. He had spilled blood. He had taken lives. He had been godfather to some guys who were no different from him. In University of Lagos, he had created fear in people's heart. He was the don. Many men worshipped him. The past stories she had heard of cultism in Nigeria had been filled with terror. How heartless had her husband been? Her night had not turned out to be right. First, Anthony called her then Joshua revealed he was once a cultist and a family drama followed next. She let out a frustrated groan getting Joshua's attention. Lola slammed her palm over her face. How more does life want to fuck with her?

She caused agitation within him. The angle he viewed her was so tempting not when the silhouette of her body could be seen in the satiny long nightie she wore. The right mould of her breasts to the slim waist and perfect size of her behind made her spell nothing but pleasure. She was the kind who would make a man think of a night full of passion. Her fierce movement, the slight twist of her lips told him she was pissed about something. Joshua took a step closer to her. There was need to speak to her. His eyes swept through her body. He felt the strong fluid movement of want so he stepped back. Standing few feet closer to her would make him do what he might regret.

"Lola" Joshua called.

"I am all ears" She unpacked her braids. The long auburn tresses poured down her back.

"I have something to say to you" He fidgeted with his fingers. What sort of woman is she? He wondered. No woman had ever made him nervous or make him suffer this hard.

Lola turned around then headed for the bed which she sat on. She sat like a queen, like a woman who ruled an empire. There was something elegant, something so fine about the way she crossed her legs and looked at him with a hint of pride in those brown eyes of hers. Does she always have to be so alluring? For a man who has not been in bed with a woman for months, he sure was having sexual frustration.

"What do you want to say Joshua?" She slipped a beautiful hand through her braids to push her hair away from her face. For the dinner, she had changed the colour of her nails from pink to black and silver. Every fingernail was smeared with black acrylic paint except her ring finger which had silver and black stones glued to it. Nail art, Joshua thought. It is what has been trending.

Joshua exhaled then sat next to her. He expected her to shift away at least give him an attitude but he got none. She gave him her attention but the way her eyes narrowed into a slit made him think of boredom.

"I have wronged you in any way?"

Lola's lips dropped. She backed away a bit, her eyebrows raised with surprise. Soon, laughter rolled out of her lips. She made him feel foolish as if his question meant nothing.

"What would make you think you have done something to offend me?"

"You have been acting strangely for days now"

"How strangely have I been acting?"

There was an innocent look in her eyes, a sweet smile on her face and a facial expression that said she was clueless about what he was saying.

He let out a soft sigh as he lowered his head in his hand. When he looked back up, she saw the frustration in his eyes. He was annoyed with himself as he was with her but she won't flinch or bulge neither would she show that she held a grudge against him. He was a cultist. What a fine man with such a terrible past.

"I told you something tonight. I told you......"

"An accident happened today along Lagos-Ibadan express way" She cut him off. "People died. A tanker filled with fuel exploded"

She changed the topic. She was not going to talk about it.

"I told you I was a cultist"

"It's disheartening. I wondered how many people had died. Here we are in peace and some are mourning"

Her eyes met his. He spotted the sorrow in them. She mourned for those that died.

"You should be asking me why I was a cultist. What had prompted me into becoming one? You should have questions"

"Listening to audios and videos about what happened today makes my heart heavy"

Joshua leaned back, his hand supporting his weight on the bed. What the hell was she playing?

"Lola" Joshua slid his hand over hers that rested on the bed. She dropped her eyes to their hands, her eyelashes sweeping over her cheeks. "I hate it when you behave this way" He rose to sit straight.

"You should know by now that I don't want to speak about it" She took her hand away from his then rested it on her crossed laps.

"You are not shouting. You are not been aggressive"

"It is not everytime one want to be"

"Lola, please what have I done wrong?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing"

She was looking at him with the coolest of looks, lips curled up into the faintest of smiles. His hand found her shoulder. Beneath his wide hand was a fine bone structure with a delicate skin wrapped around it.

"Then why are you doing like this to me? You are cold and you barely even give me a look"

"It is my choice" She got to her feet. "And it is what I want to do. So" She opened her hands "Deal with it" She shrugged and slid into bed. "I feel sleepy. Good night"

Yeah, good night. He thought dryly. Lola pulled the duvet away and glided under the soft material.

"I will be travelling tomorrow for two weeks" He said after a while.

"Safe journey" She yawned. "Please, switch off the light when you are done"

He did switch off the light but left the house. He did not care about what the time was as long as he was away from his annoying wife. Lola is infuriating him. She is making him angrier than he want to. She has a way of making him feel miserable.

"Ijebu! Ijebu!" He shouted the gateman's name.

Ijebu who was asleep in his house jumped up to the sound of the voice.

"Ijebu!" Joshua yelled storming to his car.

The alarmed gateman jolted from his bed as he scrambled for his clothes. Inside the house, Lola heard Joshua's voice. Out of curiosity, she got out of bed. She walked out to the front just in time to see Joshua getting into his car. Where is he going to? It is just so late for him to leave the house. He knows how dangerous the street of Lagos can be at night. He should not make her a widow at the age of twenty four. Well. She shrugged. He was once a cultist. He would be able to take care of himself. She turned around and went inside but he should please not come back home with a broken head. She can't play doctor.

-----

The New Afrika Shrine is a place Joshua had been to many times in his life. He had been there with friends. He had been there with women. He had been there for fun. He had been there to see friends and attend concerts. He had been there for a number of reasons he could not remember. The ride there was easier than he thought despite it was a Saturday night. It has been a normal phenomenon that there is usually higher congestion of cars in the district during weekends.

New Afrika Shrine is an entertainment centre situated in the central business district, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. The reason behind its set up was for the yearly memorial of the legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, a late iconic music and political figure.

Finding a place to park his car was difficult. There were cars around. From the big sleek SUVs to the cheap second hand cars. Joshua headed in but not before glancing at the newspaper cut on the wall in the compound. It was something he does everytime. He had tried refraining his eyes from the image of two former presidents of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida having a heated argument. It was something his father who loved Fela's music had spoken about. His father had said Fela had used his music as a tool to call out corrupt politicians. The few times he had listened to Fela's music had told him so.

Fela Kuti was an intriguing music dignitary. He was the voice of the people. He advocated for social justice and freedom from the political oppression which was not just a Nigerian issue but also a global one. Fela's music was all about the vibes the abami eda's music conveyed. He headed to the upper floor where Bobby was. The ground and upper floor were occupied with people who were having nice time. A performance by Remi Aluko was going on. People danced to music. They ate and drank. The food vendors had more sales for the night especially the chicken barbecue guy. One thing was certain, marijuana in the air.

In the shrine, marijuana and hard drugs are usually puffed with no care in the world. No one harasses anyone. Middle aged men, young guys, young ladies and older ladies smoked and take hard drugs that drove most of them high. The place was secured. Policemen do not have the right to get in. The shrine was protected by men who wore orange shirt labelled Shrine Police. There are usually at least thirty security men because the place cherishes the people. It is the only place in Lagos you can smoke without fear of getting arrested.

Joshua had once been to the shrine where Fela used to say his prayer. The shrine was located few steps down the entrance of the hall which had some of Fela's family photos. Fela's son, Femi Kuti, who carried on his father's legacy comes there to pray anytime he is about to travel. Femi Kuti performs every Sunday. All week long, there is free entry except Sundays when Femi Kuti performs.

A guy named Juwon was the first to sight Joshua. Joshua smiled at Juwon. He slipped his hands into his pockets where he felt his phone and car key as he found his way through to Bobby's table but was stopped by a lady.

"Hi" She waved at him, her red lips stretched up. She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger.

Joshua ran his eyes over her. She wore bum shorts and a crop top. She was slender. Her boobs were a size that turns him off and her back was massive. He raised an eyebrow. She smiled, delighted she got his attention.

"Hi" He replied then whizzed past her.

"Oloshi (Useless fellow)" The lady cursed then ambled back to her friends.

The ambiance was clouded with smoke from weeds. Familiar odours permeated his nostrils. He knew what kind of drugs were ingested, marijuana also known as Indian hemp, Cannabis or Weed been the most of all. The culture of drug use in New Afrika Shrine is still on and he was not sure it would die down anytime soon.

"Joshua" Juwon got to his feet with a salute letting go of the lady next to him. It was obvious with how the lady laid back in her seat that she was drunk to stupor. Juwon held Skunk also known as SK in his hand. Skunk was one of the kind of drugs that is prevalent in the shrine.

"Alaye" Joshua bellowed. Joshua took Juwon's hand into a handshake before giving him a hug.

"Shevy" He moved to shake the next guy's hand. Shevy was a cool guy with a calm look. But only those around him knows the quantity of cocaine he sniffs a day.

"Bawo ni (How are you?)" Shevy took Joshua's hand into a tight grips. Shevy's eyes were narrowed into a slit. They were red and extremely dim still he had a burning weed in between his fingers.

"I dey! I dey!" Joshua's voice rang through. There was hilarity in his voice, something he did not have before leaving home.

Dozie and Boye were present. Dozie was busy sucking a lady's face. He was too busy to notice the arrival of a friend. Joshua had always been the life of the party. Men who knew him greeted him. Even though those who were meeting him for the first time. His life at the slum had been of great advantage to him. His capability to speak slangs and in weed voice and having a knowledge about the latest thing in town had made it easier for him to blend with the bad guys. He greeted the ladies with his friends. Joshua had various kind of friends. Amongst them were the yahoo boys. Nothing they do was new to him. He had done them back in the days, those days when he lived life recklessly.

Among those that danced was Smallie. Smallie was a small guy but he does more than himself. He was young nothing more than twenty years of age.

"Baba" Smallie drawled.

"Smallie" Joshua smiled at the guy.

Smallie's eyes drooped. He let go of the lady he danced with and shook Joshua's hand but his steps were unsteady.

"Agbani" Joshua settled next a dark slim lady. Agbani was pretty and slim. Her real name was Liliana. She got the nickname because of her beauty.

He received no response from Agbani who was busy sniffing cocaine. She sniffed with a chilliness he loved about her. She was dangerous but too composed. Beneath that calm relaxed exterior was a woman who had killed. She sniffed, white powder on her nose. Agbani leaned into her seat, her head back with her eyes closed. Joshua understood how it feels like to have cocaine and enjoy the feel of it in one's system. He used to. He laughed.

His eyes went around the place. Men and women danced. They danced, intoxicated by hard drugs, alcohol and the beats of the music. Bodies rocked against one another in the most sensual ways. Bobby was at the end of the table spraying money. Money swirled in the air. Ladies ran for it most of them stuffing them in their bags. Bobby had just hit a jackpot and gotten himself a new car. He bought three iPhone 8 for three different people. His girl, Dolapo mostly known as Dolly P danced with him. Bobby held new dollar notes in his hand and sprayed them on her. Joshua got up to meet him.

Bobby noticed him. He smiled at Joshua gesturing a hand to meet him. Leaving Dolapo, Bobby hugged Joshua. Dolapo who was still dancing held out a hand to Joshua which he took. Joshua remembered. Dolapo was one of those ladies he had once had a fling with. He met Dolapo and few weeks later, she was Bobby's girl. Out of impulse, Joshua had his body moving to the music.

"So you go still come? (So you would still come?)"

"I get choice? Na you now. You be my guy (Do I have a choice? It is you. You are my guy). Congrats" He hugged his friend once again.

"Hin no easy o (It is not easy o)"

"I get. I get (I understand. I understand)" They laughed.

The party continued and Joshua joined. He blended. He was meant to be there. He used to belong to this kind of people. He used to be them but so many things had changed. He took a seat next to Agbani who was now able to speak to him. As they spoke and laughed, he got hold glass of beer and took a sip from it. He could tell from its taste that the beer had been spiked with codeine so he kept it away and took another bottle of beer. Gone are the days when he took codeine. Ladies entertained men. They danced, rocking the guys' lap and giving lap dances.

Bobby who was a little bit tipsy from too much alcohol intake got a lap dance from Dolly P. He sprayed money on Dolly P's behind. Joshua could still remember the days he did that freely with women. He liked women and he appreciated and enjoys them. His thought went back to Lola and that brought anger driving through his system. He was frustrated in every way. As a man, he was frustrated. As a husband, he was frustrated to the peak. He huffed out, snatching the weed from Agbani's hand.

He took a long drag from it and the taste of it felt foreign on his tongue. It's been long. Almost six years since he last took it. Agbani watched him. He was a fine man and she admired him but does not want to get involve with him.

"Wetin happen? (What's wrong?)" She rested a hand on his shoulder. She felt hoe tensed his muscles are. She smiled. "You dey vex? (Are you angry?)"

"Nothing" He said letting out smoke from his lips. "I am alright" he handed over the joint to her. She took it and had her own share.

"I thought you stopped?" Agbani husked out.

Joshua smiled, his eyes on her. She had facial features men appreciated and as a man, he appreciated her beauty. She had curves the right places. Physically she was blessed and she had not tried to conceal any of it. It was opened to every man to appreciate.

"It's just for tonight" He swept back Agbani's hair from her shoulder revealing bare delicate dark skin. She smiled moving closer.

Her hair was real human hair. She had carried it for almost two weeks and only she knew the pleasure she got from it. Who would believe that the woman who seem so cool and collected was a hardened armed robber and drug dealer?