LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE FOURTEEN: ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: CHAPTER ONE; EVERYWHERE

She walks into the uncompleted building, grasping the briefcase tightly, she looks around but no one is in sight. As she tries to turn and leave, two men approach her from behind
"Leaving so soon?"
She looks at them, one is fumbling with a pocket knife, the other grins widely, unveiling his bad dentition, burnt by tobacco
"I didn't see anyone" she stands firm, trying to be brave
 "Well you can't see what you don't understand" the one with the bad teeth said
"I have the buy in, when can I meet Oregun?"
"Easy dear, don't be in a hurry, calm down" the other with the knife said, he takes the briefcase from her
"We will contact you"
"That's it? How do I know I haven't been duped?" she puts up a defense
 "Hmm, we got a feisty one, don't worry Miss, when we are done with our background check, if you are clean, then we will contact you, but if you are not, its better left unsaid, goodbye"


 Amaka is leaving the lecture hall when someone drags her to a corner and closes her mouth so she doesn't scream she takes a good look at her captor then pushes him away.
 "Idris! My God! Where the hell have you been!" He keeps looking around to see if anyone is passing by
 "I am sorry, where is Yedire, I have to see her" he speaks up fast, like one who is in a hurry
"Like hell you will, you put her in a wheelchair and ran like the wind, why are you like this!"
"I said I am sorry! I really want to speak to her, I checked the hostel but she is not there, where can I find her?"
 "Are you deaf! I said you are going nowhere near her, keep your distance before I call the police, I don't want to see you anywhere around me or this school, because you will regret it!"
She walks out on him, he stands there looking at her with terrifying eyes till she is out of sight
 "I know she is with him, this just got interesting"

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE THIRTEEN: REDEMPTION: CHAPTER FIVE; UNDERCOVER

"You think you can just get away with what you have done, Wale after everything"

 Beenie rushes over to hit him but the policemen prevents him from doing so, they are both at the station in handcuffs, bruised all over, their clothes torn apart, Wale keeps looking at him with no guilt whatsoever. 

Ego rushes in immediately shocked at the sight of them

 "What is going on? You two are grown men not babies" she shouts at them in fury "

Madam who are you?" A policeman addresses her

"I'm Miss Geoffrey, I was called on the phone to come here" 

"Oh, so you are the bone of contention" the other policeman said 

"Don't mind her if only she had kept her big mouth shut!" 

Wale said looking at her in rage 

"My dear come with me, the Inspector will see you now".

 She walks into the Inspector's office, he is busy sorting out some file cases

"Miss Geoffrey, we meet again, please sit down" Inspector Anthony said

 "Thank you, I am so sorry about all that, I will pay for the bail"

 "That's not why I called you, though they will both spend a night in the cell and Mr Wale might get jail time for fraud, that's if Mr Benjamin is ready to press charges, but I have been trying to capture Oregun, and I might need your help" 

She looks at him in surprise 

"My help, why?" 

"I was told you had a run in with a member of his gang, about the money they said you should pay but you didn't, I want you to call them and make a deal"

 "Call them? You want me to be a mole?I'm sorry but I can't" 

She stands to leave 

"Miss Geoffrey, if you don't, they will keep haunting you till you give in, take this as a way of breaking free, helping people get out of the tyranny of this gang" 

She stands still, confused and lost, she has never done anything dangerous, she has always been the scared little cat, maybe it was time to make a change 

"Okay, what do you want me to do" 

 She walks into the office to find him pacing round the room

 "You called me" 

She said looking straight into his face, trying to understand why he was pacing round and round continuously

 "Yes please Dr. Sani, don't mind what I'm doing, I always do that when I want to clear my head" he sits, she does the same 

"I called you here because I needed to hear your opinion as my second, I want to set up a press conference and announce to the people all that Ms Roberts had done, explain to them that it is all in the past" 

She looks at him with her eyes wide open and her mouth agape

"I know its a big risk, but I'm willingly to take it, that's what a leader should do" he said 

"You are right, I thought about it too, no matter how we stall, it will get out one way or the other, I am fully in your support" she said

 "That's a relief, thank you so much" 

She stands to leave the office, she reaches the door but stops, then turns towards him

 "Maybe we could even get the testimony of those we helped, to lessen the haul that will be thrown at us, we are matching into battle" she smiles at him

 "Spirit fingers and brains, you make a perfect combination of yourself" he teases her

 "Ha! You admitted I have brains, not a bad start, we might like each after all" she winks at him then leaves the office 

 Ego is alone in her sitting room, fumbling her phone, her heartbeat becomes unsteady, she takes in a deep breath and dials a number. It rings for a while, then a husky tone speaks from the other end 

"Finally, we were thinking about sending a second signal" 

"I'm ready to pay the money, but this time I want a face to face with Oregun, let's call it a buy in, I'm ready to do business, real business" she said sounding as convincing as possible

 "Hmm, well I will relay the information, we will keep in touch" he hangs up.

 She breathes out in relief and places the phone on the table

"This had better work out or I'm screwed"  

Napoleon Hill once wrote "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve". Whatever we set out to do, no matter how hard or what the consequences may be, once it is the right thing to do, everything will find a way to work out..........Eventually. 

To be continued.............

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE THIRTEEN: REDEMPTION: CHAPTER FOUR: IT IS TOO DEEP TO EMPTY

"I can't believe he is going to divorce her, its totally unfair, are men always like that? Selfish? Condescending?"
 Deji is helping Simi out in the kitchen, they both talk about Lola's fate, how she will cope with her husband out of her life
"Don't ask me, I am a man you know, but I'm not selfish neither am I condescending" he said in his own defense
 "Yet it baffles me, he found his soul mate indeed! Have you tried talking to him? Letting him know that the decision he plans on taking, there is no going back?
"Simi! I shouldn't be anywhere near this case, Teju has always been uptight, I don't want to be their marriage counselor, Lola won't even allow it, he has made his decision, I am sure he thought well before concluding" he avoids her stare, he knows it will make him change his mind
"Fine! If you don't, I will"
She picks up her phone, but he takes it from her
"Look, let's try to stay out of this, you can convince him to come back, but you can't convince him to love her again, then her life becomes worse than it already is, its his choice to make, and he has already chosen to walk on that path"
She pause for a moment then looks up to him
"You are right, I should mind my business, I might even end up making the whole thing worse".


 She is waiting anxiously, hoping everything works according to plan, she keeps signing each paper work given to her, wondering when the whole ordeal will end
 "That will be all Dr Sani, you've been cleared to take the boy with you"
The woman said as she tucked the files away, the young boy, barely six years old emerges from the inner room with a matron, she takes his hand as they made their way out of the building.



 Mr and Mrs Bayo are waiting anxiously with Dr Will Henry for their son outside the orphanage, as Tamuno approaches with him, they couldn't contain their joy, but had to wait for a proper introduction
"Hey dear"
Tamuno said to him getting down on a knee, so she could really stare into his face
 "Are you ready to meet your family?"
 The boy nods in agreement
 "Well go ahead"h
He rushes into the arms of his parents they both hug him as they shed tears of sweet joy
"Look who saved the day, not bad spirit fingers"
Henry said to her mockingly
"So that's my name now, perky accent"
 "Ha! As sacarstic as ever"
The family approaches them
 "Thank you so much we really appreciate this" Mr Bayo said in between tears and smiles
 "Dr, after seeing my son for the first time in six years, made me feel alive like never before, and it got me to think that their will be other women like me, I hope they all see their children" Mrs Bayo said
 "Yes we are doing our best, as quietly as we can but we will get there" Henry said
"Quietly? All families may not be like mine, you had better get the word out before it destroys your hospital" Mr Bayo said
"My husband is right, if the world hears it from the horses mouth, judgment will be fair, because there is no way this will continue to remain hidden, it is a scandal to large to contain, we will be on our way now"
As they leave the building, Tamuno and Henry keeps standing firm on the spot, thinking deeply on what the couple said

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE THIRTEEN: REDEMPTION: CHAPTER THREE: BROKEN

She kept mute for a long while, gazing into space, her shoulder trembles as the tears spilled from her eyes, after all this time, they bring such news to her, but why?
Hasn't she suffered enough? What becomes her fate now?
 "So you mean to tell me that after all these years, I never had fibroid, I had a real life baby kicking in my womb, and that baby was taken away from me?"
She looked at her with unsteady eyes, blinking rapidly to stop the tears from rolling out
"Yes and I am truly sorry for all the pain we caused you in the past, the people responsible have been taken into custody, we are doing our best to unite you with your child as soon as possible"
 Tamuno tries so hard to pull herself together as she stared at the broken woman sitting in front of her
 "You think it is easy? I spent a year in a mental facility! I and my husband were scarred for life, we couldn't have any more babies, I thank God for his support and mercy towards us, I was suicidal multiple times, but I survived, all because of the selfishness of men, what makes you think I won't call the police"
"The matter is already in their hands, just trust me, I really need you and your husband not to press charges, the damage has already been done, and the evil one has been put to justice, I promise you, everything will be fine, you will meet your son and this time he is not going anywhere"



 Yedire and Amaka are entering the compound when they see someone sitting in front of the house
 "Who is that?" Amaka whispered to her
"That would be Thelma" she whispered back
"Thelma? Oh the Thelma, wow she is beautiful like you said"
They come closer to where she is, she gets up on sighting the both of them
 "Hi" she said
"Hello" they chorused
"How long have you been sitting here? Didn't you call Yinka before coming?" Yedire said to her
 "Well I did, but I was hoping I would see you, can I talk to you, alone"
 "Just call me when you are done so I can help take you in"
Amaka leaves them and enters the house
 "So, what is it that you want to talk about?" Yedire said to her
"It is about Yinka, I might have noticed how he values you as a person, and I know he will value your opinion, just help me tell him that I am sorry, girl to girl, no one is perfect in the relationship scene, we are bound to get it wrong sometimes, I've tried to get him to understand but maybe if he hears it from someone else he might give it another thought"
Yedire scoffs and laughs subtly
"Don't be offended but I'm not advice material, whatever that is going on between you, you just need to try harder, trust me there is nothing I will say that will get him to change his mind, you should know that"
She bends her head like one who is ashamed and stays quiet for a while
"Anyway thanks for your help" she turns to leave
 "Glad I could help"

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE THIRTEEN: REDEMPTION: CHAPTER TWO: THE ENCOUNTER

Simi and Lola are leaving the hospital, they are both walking hand in hand
"Thank you for keeping me company during my check up"
Simi rested her head on her shoulder as they walk to the car park
"Its no big deal, it was quite lonely for me during my time and you need all the help you can get, so tell me how is the clique, Mandy the mean girl, Tamuno the brainiac, Ego the pen and petrified" they both laugh loudly
 "Wow you really didn't forget, besides you always taunted us, especially Mandy, she is nothing compared to you"
They approach the car, Lola opens the door and helps her get into the passengers seat, before she walks over and enters the car
"Seriously I was a big meanie, but motherhood changes everything, though I take it out on Jaiye most times, I really want to catch up since I won't be going back to London"
Simi turns to look at her
"Why? Are you all planning on relocating to Lagos? I thought Teju hated the traffic here?"
 "He does, still do, its complicated"
 She tries to start the car but Simi holds on to her hand
 "What is it? You can tell me anything"
Her mood changes, she bends her head and wipes the tear from her left eye, sniffing severally, fighting hard to hold back the tears
 "I'm getting a divorce, Teju chose someone else, I used to think he was my one true love, but he said he has found his soul mate, how is that even possible? How do I tell Jaiye that he will see his father only when he needs to not when he wants to, that's if I win the custody battle"
She starts weeping uncontrollably, Simi hugs her, using her handkerchief to wipe her tears
 "Don't worry, everything will be just fine, I promise you, it is not the end of your world, just believe me, you will be fine"



 "How could he! I trusted him with my life! My money! Everything!"
Beenie keeps pacing round the room in rage
 "Please calm down and sit, we can sort the whole thing out, just talk to him"
Ego tries to calm him
"Talk? Did I hear you say talk? I feel like punching him on the face! I don't feel like, that's exactly what I will do"
"I already feel bad, I just had to tell you because a lot has been going on, really wanted to bad to ease myself of one burden, please don't make me regret telling you"
He looks at her in shock
"Really? You should be more concerned on who tried to run you down, come to think of it, he suggested that I see Oregun, this just got interesting"
He picks up his phone and car keys, as he tries to leave she blocks him
"I don't want to push you"
"I'm sorry but you have to" he carries her up and places her on the couch then rushes out as fast as he could
 "Sorry it came to that!" He shouted
"Really?"


 She stood at the door of the flat with trembling hands, she knocks twice then waits hoping no one answers the door, as she turns to leave the door opens
"Hello, I hope this is not an intrusion, I'm here to see....."
 "Dr Sani? Wow its been a long time, too bad I never forgot your face, please come in"
The young frail looking woman ushered her into the house, then closed the door after her.

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE THIRTEEN: REDEMPTION: CHAPTER ONE: INSOMNIA

She keeps pacing round the airport, waiting at the arrivals for him to show up, the memories of what happened keeps replaying in her head, a lot of unanswered questions, who are they? What has she done this time? Could it be that she was never done with Oregun and his gang? 

He finally emerges from the crowd, smiling as he approached her, she walks towards him and hugs him tightly 

"Hey you, long time no see" she said to him 

"I'm sorry I only called when I was done with rehab, there was a zero tolerance in contacting the outside world" 

He looks at her and takes note of the dark circles round her eyes, she looked like one who hasn't slept in days

 "Ego, are you okay?"

 "Yes I am fine, just that work has been something else, I never get a break these days"

She tries to cover up but he doesn't look convinced

 "You can tell me, after all you've done for me, I have to help you if you are in trouble, are they still coming for you?"

 "No! No, look Beenie, this is not the time or place, obviously a lot happened when you went away, I will tell you everything, you have to trust me" 

 Tamuno, Mandy, Henry and his lawyer Mr Patrick are in the conference room of Mandy's firm, they are all trying to settle the disagreement 

"The only way we are going to settle this if your client hands over the files my client requires to get the hospital out of the already made mess" 

Patrick points at Tamuno who just sits with her arms folded

 "That will never happen, nice try Patrick, I sued your client for trying to break the confidentiality clause and also trying to set my client up" 

Mandy speaks up in her defense

"Well it won't be a set up if your client had done her job well, instead of passing it up to another person, isn't that what it takes to be a surgeon, Dr Sani? Didn't you know what it takes before you even attempted studying surgery?"

 Tamuno opens her mouth to talk but Mandy cuts her short

 "You don't have to answer that, look we are trying to be on mutual grounds here, exposing whatever is in that file will get messy for everyone, not just her, because no matter what you think, Ms Roberts will go all out, it will be a collateral damage" 

"It is a risk I am willing to take, she is breathing fire down my neck, I can't keep up with the charade, we will go bankrupt" 

Dr Henry said, looking straight at Tamuno hoping she could have a change of heart

 "Do what you need to do" Tamuno said getting up

"What?" Mandy looks at her in surprise 

"Mandy, I'm sorry but I can't, how do you think I sleep at night when I know an innocent woman is still suffering from what I did, I have to redeem myself"

She starts sobbing, Mandy holds her hand 

"I refuse to believe that we have lost" she turns to Patrick and Henry "Is there a way we can go ahead with this without implicating my client?" 

"We will explore all options, but I am not promising anything yet, except...... she meets with the woman in question, makes an open confession, then unites mother and child, that way maybe she won't press charges, just maybe" Mr Patrick said

 "Whatever it takes, I'm ready"

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TWELVE: CONNECTING: CHAPTER FIVE: TARGET

Simi is sleeping on the couch in the sitting room when she hears a loud knock on the door, hoping is nothing but a dream, she continues sleeping until the knock drives her out of the couch
"Okay! That was real and loud" she yawns widely and moves towards the door, she opens it
"Surprise!" Lola, Deji's sister is standing outside the apartment with her son
 "Oh my God! Lola! This is more than a surprise" they hug themselves "Well, come inside" they enter and sit down
 "Wow look at him all grown up"
 Simi sits with the boy
"What's your name dear?"
 "Jaiye" he said shyly
"Don't mind him, he is a great troublemaker and a talkative, he leaves a lasting first impression" Lola said.
"So you are back for the holidays?"
"Oh yes, I was hoping I will find Deji, didn't want to go to that club of his with Jaiye, maybe we could sneak out one day to the place" she winks at her
"I don't think this will allow me"
Simi points at her stomach
"Awkward for me to sit in a club this days or anywhere"
"Well soon it will be all over, with the size, that baby can come at any time" they both laugh


 He is going through the files in his office and busy on his laptop when someone knocks on the door, he raises his head as the young man comes in
"Yes, do I know you?"
He looks at the man in surprise
"Dr Will, you've been served"
He tossed the file to him and leaves the office, Henry opens the files reads it and slams his fist on his desk
 "Who does she think she is? She might have the best lawyer backing her up, but she is making a big mistake, at the detriment of this hospital, bloody hell!"


 Tamuno picks up her phone
 "Hello"
"I've served him"
Mandy said from the other end, she sighs with relief
 "Thank you so much, I knew I could turn to you, you are like a miracle bone marrow, when there are no red blood cells left"
"Really? You seriously have to qualify me with that? Well your pay just went up, I charge by the minute, including this phone call"
Tamuno laughed subtly and smiled
"I only mean I am grateful and eternally in your debt"


 Ego is driving back home after a busy work day in the office, it is already dark and the road is clear, suddenly she sees a car headlight afar, it keeps getting brighter and brighter, almost like a car is trying to run into her
 "When did this road become a one way road?"
She said to herself, her heart starts beating fast, the headlight still keeps coming close, burning brightly into her eyes, she keeps trying to avoid it but it keeps up on her trail, the car keeps coming closer, almost bumping into her before it swerves of the road, makes a sharp turn and skids past her.
 She stops her car abruptly panting, breathing loudly and fast, her phone beeps, she picks it up and opens the message which reads 'Next time, we won't turn' she tossed the phone on the passengers sit, looks around, almost scared to death before starting the car and speeding off immediately. 


 We always try to play the hero, who comes in and saves the day, but we seem to forget that heroes bear a heavy burden. Our best intentions of helping an individual will always be thawed by the villains and except we are ready to persevere and fight to the end, we end up being the one that needs saving. To be continued

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TWELVE: CONNECTING: CHAPTER FOUR; AN OPEN BOOK

"Okay just calm down and tell me everything, why do you need a lawyer? What did you do?"
 The room is quiet, the only thing that makes a sound is their breathing, she takes in a deep breathe, lets it out and raises her head
"I should have known, she has always been up to something, on May 26 2008, a pregnant woman went into early labor, she was in pains, we didn't know for sure what made it so painful, we had to operate immediately, I couldn't do it, I wasn't perfect in that field, I was always scared, but Ms Roberts always saved me, telling me to take my time to learn, in other to avoid casualties, so she went in for me, with her team. At the end of the day, they said she had fibroid, it was massive and had begun to tear her fallopian tube, I can't forget the look on the woman's face, she kept insisting that she was pregnant, we took her baby. It got worse, we had to put her in a mental facility, if only I had the courage to carry out a common caesarian operation, her baby will be all grown up, but Ms Roberts did what she does best, selling babies, that woman has no soul"
 Tamuno wiped the tears from her eyes and sneezed into the handkerchief, Mandy looked at her with pity
"So you can't arrest her, convict her for her crimes?"
 "We all signed a confidentiality agreement, the board is handling it quietly, if this goes out, everyone will demand for our head on a plate, they won't believe that some of us are innocent, the hospital will be shut down and all our license will be revoked"
Mandy paced around the room, before she moves to her chair and sits
 "So what changed now? Why are you the only one taking the fall?"
"Dr Will Henry has been the one paying off Ms Roberts, but she keeps asking for more, she is blackmailing us, so he wants to use that particular incident to build a case against her, to make it seem like they just found out about it"
"Even if he succeeds, what makes you think she won't talk?"
 "Well if she does, she stands to loose a lot of money and more cases will be built against her, in fact I don't know, that's why I need your help"
She covers her face with her palm, like she is trying to hide the shame
"Don't worry T, I do one thing best and that is winning all my cases, I just want to know, do you have the file of that surgery?"
"Well there is one thing I am not, stupid" She opens her bag, brings out the file and hands it over to Mandy who smiles cunningly
"Excellent! Now we can have fun"


Yinka enters the sitting room, Yedire is busy with her phone, she doesn't raise her head, she just keeps it down
 "That was awkward, but please next time, don't just let people in, they might not be who they say they are"
 "She didn't look harmful to me" she still keeps her head down
 "Trust me you don't want to know about that girl, when next she comes don't even let her in, she can........"
 "I don't want to get in the middle of it, I'm not your housekeeper" she looks straight at him
 "Ok fine, let's keep it that way" he said
"Good, but she is cute though, you might consider a second chance"

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TWELVE: CONNECTING: CHAPTER THREE: MAKING HAY IN THE RAIN

She walks into the office hastening her steps before anyone detects she took an early lunch break, before she could make her way into her office, Yewande stops her right on her track
 "And where are you coming from? This is work hour not happy hour"
She starts to tremble like a leaf in the harmattan, not sure of what to say, what lie to tell
"Uhmm....I....It...was an emergency, I had to excuse myself for a couple of minutes" she stuttered avoiding eye contact
"Really? Looked more like a couple of hours, if it was really an emergency, why didn't you tell me and what was the emergency?"
"It is very personal, please I don't want to share, I'm sorry it won't happen again"
She still avoids staring at her, like her looks could almost pierce into her soul
 "Fine, just so you know, we pay by the hour, since your name means 'money' I just hope you understand the pure value, you are spared, but next time, Ego, I won't be this lenient".


 Yinka comes in to find Yedire and Thelma chatting in the sitting room
 "Hey you are back" Thelma smiles at the sight of him
 "Yes and you are leaving" he goes over to her and drags her gently to the door
 "It was nice meeting you Yedire"
She calls after her before they are both outside, he shuts the door
"What were you even thinking? How did you find my house?"
"Calm down, well I snooped around, it wasn't much of snooping because most people in school had your address, and was surprised I didn't, they were glad to share, when did you even plan on telling me"
She looks at him, deeply, wishing he could understand how she felt
"Well since you asked, I never planned on sharing, so I want you to leave and never come back here, I thought about what you said, I forgive you but there is no room anymore, you are heartless, you think about only yourself, and now things are better for me, you want to come back? Too bad, your timing is always bad"
He looked back at her in dismal, his eyes filled with anger and fury
"Its because of her isn't it? The crippled girl, I don't blame you, you always want a damsel in distress, you were never man enough to fight for anything, you couldn't even have the courage to fight for me when I left, you are a coward"
"Here I am thinking that I can take back my word when I called you heartless, but I won't because that's what you are, she might be crippled, but she is more than what you will ever be, goodbye Thelma"


 Tamuno barges into Mandy's office panting, interrupting her meeting with Mike
"I guess its time for me to leave, I will come back, maybe"
 Mike leaves the office, Mandy stares at her with her hands wide apart, and her eyes almost popping out of its socket
"What the hell was that? Where you being chased by a dog?"
"If it was a dog, it would have been so much better, I'm being chased by my past, its going to get ugly, and I need a lawyer".

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TWELVE: CONNECTING: CHAPTER TWO: WOLF IN COCK FEATHERS

"You should have asked for the file not pretending to bump into the nurse I sent, you are just so melodramatic"
He banged his fist on her desk and leaned towards her, looking tensed up
 "Woah! I should be the one raging, bickering and having my emotions sprayed all over the place, but no I'm not, what do you need the file for? Give me one valuable reason and I will give it back" she clinched her palms together and starred back him
 "Fine, I need it as leverage"
 "Leverage? Are you trying to blackmail me? You know what is in that file, why do want it?"
"Mrs Roberts never let the hospital be, I've been settling a lot of debts, she has friends in high places who will do anything to make us look bad, and replace us in a second, I need that file to get her off completely"
He sat down and folded his arms, Tamuno looks at him with her mouth agape
"What? You will not only get her off, you will get me out! I authorized that surgery, don't you even care what happens to me? I'm your second"
"I know, that's why you should get a lawyer, but let me have the file back" he stretched forth his hands, she pauses for a while and takes a deep breath
"No! Sue me if you want, you will hear from my lawyer".


 Yedire is alone in the house watching a movie when the door bell rings
"Just a second!"
 She adjusts herself on the wheelchair, moves to the door and opens it, a tall light skinned beautiful girl is standing outside
"Hi" she smiled revealing her nice set of teeth
 "Hello, uhmm no one is home, its just me" she stared on at her wondering who she came to visit
 "Oh I didn't call him on the phone, wanted it to be a surprise, you know this is my first time of being here, do you mind if I come in?"
"Sure"
Yedire moves away from the door as she stepped in, she sits on the sofa and looks at the place in admiration
 "Wow, this is lovely" she stood up and paced round the room, Yedire looks at her confused
"I'm sorry, you lost me when you said you wanted to surprise him, who?"
 "Oh! That I'm sorry, my bad, its Yinka, you know I am his girlfriend, we took a break but now we are back, I'm just so excited"
She said gleefully as she sits back on the sofa, Yedire's countenance falls
"Wow, that's thoughtful, maybe you should call him, he might be late and you may not be able to wait for too long" she said
"That's a great idea, uhmm are you his sister, or relation?"
 Yedire laughed sacarstically
 "No, I'm just a nobody"
She looked at her legs then stared pitifully at her
 "Were you born that way or was it an accident?"
"It was an accident thanks for asking"
 Yedire looks down on the floor
 "I'm sorry for asking, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I'm Thelma"
"Nice to meet you Thelma, I'm Yedire"



 "Ego I'm really sorry if what I did put Beenie in that position, I don't know what came over me"
They are both sitting on his car bonnet
"Well whatever came over you, made you do it for six straight years, he trusted you, why on God's green earth will you do something like that?"
 She turns to look at him, his face is filled with guilt
"I wish I can go back, but I can't, please promise me you won't tell him"
"That's impossible! You know I can't lie to him, you have to tell him yourself or I will"
she stands up and adjusts her clothes, clutching her bag firmly
"Ego you can't, this is beyond what you know, you don't understand" the look on his face changes, to something darker, something more intense
"I don't care if you made a deal with the devil, or you will go through hell, you will in fact you must tell him, you owe it to him, if you still care, if you still have a conscience, you will"
She walks away, enters her car and drives out of the compound, he looks on till she is out of sight, then he picks up his phone and dials a number
"Hello, we have a problem".

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TWELVE: CONNECTING: CHAPTER ONE: THROWING CAUTION

He opened the door of his car to get in when he felt a soft pat on his back, he turned to see her staring at him with guilt written all over her face
 "Thelma, what a surprise, how have you been?"
He looked deep into her eyes, like he could find all the answers he seek
"I'm fine, the way you left me" she said with a smirk
"You can't be serious, the way I left you? This must be a joke" he slammed the car door hard
 "Look Yinka, you don't have to be upset, I made a huge mistake by letting you go, I'm ready to make amends, I'm sorry and I need you to forgive me"
 A single tear rolled down to her cheek, she wiped it off with her handkerchief and sniffed, he just starred on at her
"What will you have me do? I was going through a lot and you abandoned me, just because I couldn't meet your needs, now you are crying, making me look bad, this is too much to absorb in one day, I need time"
He leaned on the car, folded his arms and looked down on the ground, avoiding her stare 
"I just wish you can forgive me, you know what they say about not knowing the value of what you have until you loose it, I have learned the hard way" she moves closer to him, placing her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently "I have to go now, I will call you"
She pecks him on the cheek and walks away, leaving him standing there, confused and speechless. 


 Tamuno is walking down the hospital lobby, checking the mails on her phone, when she accidentally bumps into a nurse carrying a bunch of files, it all falls to the ground, she bends to help her pick it all up.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you" she said to her as they pick up the pieces of paper scattered on the floor 
"Don't worry yourself Dr Sani, I can handle it" 
She sights a file with her name on it and picks it up, the nurse packs up the rest and stands, Tamuno still squats, reading the file
"Doctor, is there any problem?" She stands immediately 
"Who asked for all these files?" Tamuno looked at her with rage 
"I was just obeying orders from Doctor Will" the nurse said confused, wondering what she saw in the file 
"What are you now? A book keeper? In fact I have nothing to say to you, obviously I have something to say to him, tell him that the May 2008 file stays with me" 
She walks out on the nurse and barged into her office, the poor nurse still stands there wondering what went wrong.


 Ego is waiting outside a building, she keeps checking her wristwatch like one running out of time, suddenly a car pulls up to her, Wale comes out of it, smiling as he walked towards her 
"Wow Ego, its been ages, its so good to see you" he tries hugging her, but she relents, he looks at her surprised "Is there a problem?" 
"Have you heard from Beenie? Do you even know where he is?" She stared at him in disappointment
 "Look I'm not a saint, but Beenie shut me out after the magazine folded, what do you expect me to do, he doesn't care" 
"Why would he? Why should anyone care about what happens to you? He even feels sorry for what he did, I wonder if he still will if he finds out what you did" 
He raised his brow, and looked at her in shock 
"Excuse me? Ego abeg we get beef? What is your own? Why you sounding like a total stranger?"
 "I know you embezzled money, what I don't know is why you did it"

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE ELEVEN: TIME CAPSULE: CHAPTER FIVE: CAN WE EVER GO BACK?

"Thank you for coming" she sits down
"You said it was urgent"
"Yes it is, I have to be honest with you Mandy, I really feel sorry for what I have done to you, not telling you that your father is still alive, it haunted me and I am sorry, honestly" he sobs silently
"You know I might pretend here that you had no choice, but at the end of the day, all you did was just make me hate you both more, because you have no idea what you have done" she stands up frustrated
"Mandy, you have to understand, he was at a tiping point, he had no choice but to protect you".

  .                Six years Ago

 Mr Fred Lawson is alone in his sitting room engrossed in a book when he hears a frantic knock on his door, he checks his time its past 10pm, he stands up and opens the door, Joseph barges in breathing heavily, like one being chased
 "Jo? What are you doing here?"
 "Turn on the television" he paces round the room
 "Why? You know I don't watch the television at this hour, I was about to read myself to sleep.."
 "Fred please! This is important!"
 He shouts at him to his surprise
"Okay just calm down" he takes the remote and switches it on, there is an announcement on the news about a jet crashing, Joseph's name is among those on board, presumed dead
"What? How is it possible that you didn't board?" Fred turns to look at him in great shock
 "I boarded, I found a letter in my breast pocket telling me to leave before the flight took off, when I took an excuse saying I couldn't represent the Minister any longer, he should find another lawyer, but as I got into my car the jet exploded as it took off, a call came to my phone almost immediately and the stranger told me to leave town, disappear, be dead like the people in the jet, that a choose my path when I decided to defend him in court, if I don't they will kill my daughter" he sits down and starts sobbing
 "Oh my God! Jo, why would you want to defend a guilty man, what did he really do, this is a mess"
Fred looks at him confused
"Its complicated, you have to help me, I'm really confused"
"Its okay, I know what to do".


  .                Present Day

 "I helped him get a fake identity which he used to leave, it was for his own good, you have to stop looking for him, you are endangering your life, the world is cruel and complicated, your father is a victim and has paid for it dearly with his life"
Mandy just sits down lost with tears in her eyes wondering what to do next
"Okay, thank you for telling me the truth"



Yewande is going through the report of the task she gave to Ego, she looks up at her and smiles
 "I'm impressed for now, you can go"
 Ego turns to leave but stops, and turns
 "I want to know something Yewande, why do you act like this? Sometimes its like you are trying to reach out, then you just shut everyone out, why?"
 She looks at her in surprise, then breathes in deeply
"Well you can sit down" she sits "You know what Ego, there is a lot of things you don't know or you weren't told, you replaced me when I was fired from Classic Magazine, I was falsely accused of trading reports to this magazine, well look at me now, the Editor in Chief, I guess what they say about disappointments being a blessing in disguise is true" she bends down to continue with her work
 "So did you hire me to get back at them?"
"No, I wanted to rescue an innocent girl who was about to be jobless, well I was keeping tracks when I found out Wale was the mole, in fact he was embezzling funds, Beenie's trusted assistant, this time it ripped the company apart financially, that's why I gave you a hint to check on him, guess he never changed, I'm just sorry for Beenie"
"What! Wale is the reason they are bankrupt? That's wickedness, he trusts Wale, he even felt sorry for not reaching out to him"
 Ego looks at Yewande shocked
"Sorry dear, that's life for you"



 Mandy opens the door crying, Mike comes in and hugs her
"Its okay, its okay, what happened?" He helps her sit down
 "I've been here blaming him for abandoning me, I didn't even realize that he gave it all up because of me, they threatened to kill me, he had to leave, why does everyone have to suffer because of me? Why is it always about me?"
She still keeps crying, he takes her hand
 "Mandy, you might not know it, but you have also been there for us, in many ways than you can imagine, you are very brave, strong, smart and a baddass, I am happy I met you, and even privileged to be close to you, people practically adore you and worship you in the office, wishing they can talk to you they way I do. Your father trusted you enough to believe you can handle it, and you've done an excellent job putting our name as the top firm in Lagos, we all owe you our lives, if it were up to me, I will do the same"
 she smiles at him and wipes the tears, then she places her head on his shoulder
"I will never see him again Mike, even to say thank you".


 Do you believe that there is a connection to everything that happens in our life? Some positive things? Some negative things? The people you might meet today that might help you just for few minutes and they leave you with the notion that you might never see them again, tend to occupy a bigger part of our tomorrow, its a small world, we should try to live good so people can help us when we need them most, expected and unexpectedly even if it means putting their lives on the line, so that we can live to fulfill that which we so desire. To be continued.

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE ELEVEN: TIME CAPSULE: CHAPTER FOUR: COULD WE TELL?

                        Six Years Ago.

He sat in his office pondering on the problems he faced, he knew if it came to defend the Minister, he will be defending a guilty man, he was known to be a man of principles and doing this will go against everything he stands for. He picks up the phone and dials a number
"Hello, yes I will take the case, just because I believe you had no other choice......will join you shortly, I just need to pick up a few things, alright.....bye" he hangs up.
 The door opens, she comes into the office
"Sorry I forgot to knock, I always forget, anyway I was successful in court today" she sits
 "Really? Wow that's a victory added to your other victories, congrats, but also remember your losses, so don't just feel comfortable yet" he said
"I know, there are good days and bad days, but there just have to be more good than bad" she smiles at him, he smiles back
 "So you had help?"
 "Yes, Mike the new associate went with me, he is really catching up"
"That's good to know" he gets up "I'm sorry but I have a flight to catch"
"What? Just like that, you always tell me days before you travel"
"Its a case, unfortunately its in Abuja, don't worry, I will be back today, or maybe tomorrow, it all depends"
He takes his briefcase, they both walk towards the door
"Take care of yourself dad" she hugs him
"You too Andy"



                 Present Day

"So just make sure you get a lot of rest this weekend, you need it" Mike and Mandy are walking to the car park
 "Oh Mike you are beginning to sound like my brother" she turns to look at him
 "Well, I'm kind of like a brother but in this case a junior brother, you taught me a lot, you are the reason I'm this bold and dashing, the old Mike dealt with inferiority complex and timidity, I'm not that any more"
 Mandy's phone starts ringing, interrupting their conversation, she picks up
"Hello...........okay....okay....will be right there" she hangs up
 "What is the problem?"
 "Uncle Fred wants to see me, right now"



 Yinka and Nnamdi are engrossed in the football match, his phone keeps ringing but he ignores it
 "Guy, won't you pick up the call?" Nnamdi said with his eyes still fixed on the screen
"No, its that producer Ricko, he wants me to pay 500k so he can sign me into his record label"
"That's extortion, seriously this producers sef, well you can't keep ignoring him, you have to face him anyway"
"That's true".
Amaka and Yedire comes into the living room, she helps her sit on the sofa, then she sits beside her
"What's the score?" they ask them
"Woa! what do you need the score for?" Yinka looks at them in surprise
 "Don't worry I can see" Yedire said looking at the tv
 "So you think women can't be interested in football?" Amaka asked Yinka
 "Its weird to me, except they want to impress a guy" Yinka said
 "Well their was this chick I dated, real football fan, she even gives a good away match after the main match" Nnamdi grined ear to ear
"Dude! Seriously?" Yinka looks at him in shock
 "Guy stop pretending, okay enough, besides didn't your love for football make you almost loose a cheque you won back in school" Nnamdi teases him
 "Well thank God for that girl, after shouting at me like she's my mother"
"Wait, you lost a cheque? Like how many years ago?" Yedire said
 "Should be six years ago, I was in my first year, why?"
Yedire and Amaka look at each other and start laughing
 "Oh my God, what a small world, she was the one that found the cheque, no wonder I always thought you both looked familiar" Amaka still continued laughing
"It was a 100k cheque right?" Yedire said
 "Yes it was, that's true, you were the one" Yinka smiled
 "Wow, what a small world" Nnamdi said, they all continued laughing.

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE ELEVEN: TIME CAPSULE: CHAPTER THREE: WAS IT BY CHANCE?

Ego is in her office busy working when Ruki comes in
 "Bad timing? Just give me a hint and I will walk away?" She stood looking at Ego, wondering if she is going to yell at her again
"No you can come on in" she sits down
 "I'm sorry, I know I've been an ass...."
 "An ass? You've been more than an ass, in fact calling you an ass is a decent word" Ruki cuts in
"I'm trying to apologize here, look something went wrong, I almost got caught up with some bad people so I let them get the best of me, but I'm glad it is over, well I think it is" She shudders at the thought of it
"Its okay, apology accepted, though I didn't come here for an apology, as usual I'm the messenger of death, Yewande wants you to handle all of this before she comes back from Quebec"
She hands her an ipad, the memo is filled with tasks and meetings with different top media personalities and celebrities
 "What! What does it take for a woman to just do her job!" Ego looks at it furious, before slamming it down on her desk 
"Woah! I thought we were done with all that, anyway I'm kind of glad its no longer me, no offense, she just gets weird with her bossyness, always wants one to suffer one way or the other" Ruki nods in a negative way 
" I wonder what made her like that".


           Six Years Ago
 Wale and Beenie are in the office talking when Yewande barges in with rage
 "Have you lost your mind? How did you even get past my secretary?" Beenie stands up in fury
 "Really, Wale, you now dine with the master, it looks good on you" Yewande looks at Wale in disgust
"What are you doing here? You lost your job when you started reporting for another magazine" Wale said looking at her 
"I was framed! How many times will I say it! I was framed" she screamed like a mad woman
 "Hey! Hey! Not in my office, you need to leave! Now! Besides someone has taken your place, deal with it, now get out before I call security, clearly you've lost it" 
Beenie picks up the phone and waves it in front of her, posing a threat
 "Fine, have it your way, both of you, well the Magazine you said I was reporting for, guess what, I'm now reporting for them, I just came to see if we can be on a mutual ground, but mark my words Benjamin, what you have taken from me today, it will be taken from you, but not from me, deal with your threat, it never left, see you on the other side" she storms out of the office banging the door. 
      

                  Present Day. 

 Simi comes back home, Deji is sitting on the couch smiling
 "What?" She said surprised
 "Okay just come with me before I ruin the surprise" he takes her hand 
"Do you trust me?" 
"Yes what is this about?" She becomes uneasy and inquisitive
 "Close your eyes" she doesn't budge 
"Come on, close it" 
"Okay fine"
She closes it, he leads her into the bedroom 
"Open it" 
She opens them and sights the beautiful baby cradle in front of her
 "Oh my God! Deji, I....I don't know what to say" 
She covers her mouth with her hands as a way of reacting to the amazing surprise, a single tear rolled down her left eye 
"Hey don't cry, I'm here, I promise to make you and my baby, our baby happy, whatever it takes, I'm here to stay" he wipes away the tear and embraces her
 "You have made my life so beautiful and amazing, what did I do to deserve you?" Simi hugs him tightly 
"Well the question should be what did I do to deserve you" Deji said. 


             
                 Six years ago


 Simi and Ejiro are at a wedding reception, Aunt Bisi comes to sit with them
 "Wow you two look lovely" she hugs Simi and pecks her on the cheek, the same with Ejiro 
"Thank you Aunty, I must say this lady here is responsible for my glow" he looks at Simi with awe
 "That's really adorable, so it will be both of you soon?"
 Aunt Bisi said to them, they both seem uneasy with her question 
"Uhmm, when the time is right, I'm sure" Simi covers up 
"I didn't mean to spook you both, marriage is a lifetime commitment, has to be with the right person at the right time, luckily for me, I'm not looking for that, I'm right where I want to be" Aunt Bisi smiles scandalously
 "Right! With your boy toys" Simi teases her
 "If that's what you call it, just remember that the girl getting married today is your childhood neighbour and friend, you are not getting any younger, before you end up like me" she teases her back, they all laugh. 


 Deji is over at a corner watching Simi, Olika joins him 
"So guy you are chilling here? Come and help me serve the guests I'm tired" 
He takes a deep breath, takes the bottled water from Deji's hand and gulps down the contents 
"Seriously? I wanted to drink that!"
 Olika looks over at where Simi is
 "Hmm, so you are here checking out your sisters mate when plenty of young chicks are here wasting, people that are in your league, can't you see she came with her boyfriend? The guy is even fine" Olika teases him 
"Yeah! At least I'm not the one sleeping with her Aunt, who is old enough to be your mother" Deji teased back 
"Judge me all you can, but this is Lagos and when a hot cougar who isn't even up to forty asks me for her services when money is involved, who I'm I to reject it. At least I'm in a reality, stop being in dream land, get over this crush, find someone you can control not the other way round, trust me its no fun"
 Olika pats him on the back and leaves him to attend to the guests, Deji just stands there clueless

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE ELEVEN: TIME CAPSULE: CHAPTER TWO: HOW SMALL IS THE WORLD?

                         Six Years Ago

She is sitting in the waiting room with five other applicants, she keeps tapping her foot in a rhythmic manner, as she waited anxiously for her fate to be decided. She looks at her watch, its been two hours. Suddenly the door opens and a young man walks in
"Sorry, but you all can go, thank you"
They all get up frustrated, some muttering curses as they leave, she walks up to him with courage
"I'm sorry sir, but you are making a big mistake by letting me go"
 "Excuse me? Who are....."
"I will give you five outstanding reasons why you should hire me" she cuts him short
 "We already gave you an opportunity to do that in the interview, its too late"
 He turns to leave the room
 "You've been trying to get a girl, done everything within your power to get her to go on a date with you, but to no avail, well that's not going to work because for starters, you need to change your style of hair cut, tuck your shirt more often, be a little polite in request, not demanding for an answer and at the same time, make her need you, not the other way round"
He turns to look at her in shock, wondering how she knew the details
"I checked your facebook profile, you talk a lot about her, in code, I'm a relationship expert so I was able to crack it, same with her, but she thinks you are too rude, bossy and rough. If I get this job, I will give you more tips, excellent tips, the same way I will handle this magazines heart to heart column with an impeccable touch"
She finishes up, taking in deep breathes, like one exhausted from a long and tiring speech of world peace
"Wow, you are like a stalker, an intelligent one, its good to have a background check, know the waters before fishing in the sea. Welcome to Classic Magazine......I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name"
 "I'm Miss Ego Geoffrey, thank you for this opportunity"
 "Well you earned it, I'm Wale, Mr Benjamin will see you now".



 Ego walks out of the building, she stands to wait for a taxi when her phone rings, its Tamuno, she picks it up excitedly
 "I got the job! I got the job!" She screams loudly
"Really? You mean as a heart shrink? If you really like the heart you should have studied cardiology" she said from the other end
 "There goes the sarcasm, we should celebrate, my treat"
 "Sorry Mandy is already treating us, just come down to the restaurant, don't forget your skills, we are about to perform a surgery on a turkey"
 "Oh my God! Its official, you have a license to practice!"
"Yes I am now an official Dr Who, now get your ass down here!"



                   Present Day
 Yinka walks into the music studio with the card in his hands, a young man is busy with an artist recording.
"Hello I'm here to see Ricko?"
The door opens and a guy walks in
"What's up man, glad you made it" they shake hands
"This is an honor Ricko, thanks"
 "Well why don't you start off by showing us what you've got"
He beckons on the recording artist to stop, the artist takes off the headphones and hands it over to Yinka as he comes out of the room, Yinka steps in
"So I will give you a beat, you try to flow, alright" Ricko said to him.
He puts on the headphone, the beat starts playing and he reminisces on the day it all started.
 

                 Six years Ago
 Everyone is cheering at him, as he gets off the stage and walks straight to Nnamdi who rushes towards him
 "Guy! You won! Oh my God! You are so popular right now, this is so cool, 100grand! I told you it was worth it"
He takes the cheque from his hand and places it on his forehead, like he wants to tap into the blessings, Yinka takes it from him
 "Do you want to ruin it! Come to think of it, I came here to study law, let's go out and celebrate" Yinka said
 "Wow, you mean like a party? Awesome, I know some girls"
 "Cassonova, not a party! Oh my the man united vs arsenal match! Let's go"
"Damn! I almost forgot" they rush off immediately.
 The cheque falls from Yinka's pocket, a young girl bends and picks it up, hoping to give it to him, but they are out of sight.



 "We have been waiting for over an hour, Yedire stop being silly, let's go, tomorrow we will hand it over to the S.U.G, why do you want to meet this boy anyway?" Amaka is restless and scared, its already a little bit dark
"To tell him he is a fool for dropping a 100,000 naira cheque" they are sitting at the kiosk near the venue
"Let's go, my brother will be worried, the show ended a long time ago, I came here to write my Post UME, not to die, this campus is dangerous, its late already"
"Amaka chill for once, don't be paranoid, this is a busy area"
She sights Yinka and Nnamdi looking through the bushes, in search of the cheque
"How can you drop such a valuable piece of paper? Guy you are getting clumsy" they keep searching for it
 "Nnamdi that's not being helpful"
"Looking for something?" They look up to see Yedire starring at them
"Yes, please did you see any cheque, its mine, I mistakenly dropped it" Yinka said to her
 "So after winning a competition you decided to drop the cheque? People need money desperately, some are even starving" she hands him the cheque
"Here, guard it with your life this time" she leaves with Amaka
 "Thank you!" He shouts after them
"What a saucy girl!" Nnamdi said looking at the both of them as they walk away
 "At least I got the cheque back" 

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE ELEVEN: TIME CAPSULE: CHAPTER ONE; WHEN DID IT START?

 

 .                        Six Years Ago

 Its a busy Monday morning at the firm, people are moving in and out, clients, lawyers, everyone trying to hit the jackpot as he made his way to his cubicle, with his old looking briefcase hung over his left shoulder. He placed the box of files, personal items and stationary on his table, he tries arranging them when he feels a loud pat on his back
 "Hi roomy"
He turns to see a young beautiful dark skinned girl looking at him, her beauty and well defined curves with prominent facial features made him quiver, he wasn't used to the attention from the opposite sex
"Sorry, you really scared me"
He fumbled for the files in the box and continued arranging his desk, she walks over and sits across the table
 "Are you shy?" she starred at him with her chin resting on her palm
"No!...No I'm not, I didn't expect a girl like you to be sharing the desk with me" he said with his head is still bent, avoiding her stare
"Aww, you think I'm cute"
"No!" she raises her brows
"Yes, of course you are cute, very...cu..te" he stuttered, he looked up to see her smiling
 "What?" He said confused
 "I would have loved to be your roomy, but I'm not, trust me you don't want to know who stays here" she stands up immediately and walks up to him
"I'm Miss Mandy Lawson, senior associate, come with me, and you are?"
"Mr Obieze Mike, excuse me ma, your last name, Lawson, as in this firm, Lawson and Associates?"
 "Yup, I'm also the boss' daughter" they both walk to her office.
       
                 Present Day

 Mandy is standing next to the window in her office, admiring the peaceful scenery, deep in her thoughts, Mike enters the office
"Any word yet?" He said sitting down
"No" she leaves the window and sits "I wonder when it happened, when all this went wrong, what did he really get himself into?"



 Tamuno is in her office, Dr Femi is passing by, he sees her door ajar, comes back and stands by the door
 "Wow, we barely see each other these days, are you cheating on me?" he said with a smirk on his face
"In your dreams Saint Joseph" she said
 "Hmm, so you are still playing hard to get?"
"No, I'm still playing, I'm out of your league"
He comes in and sits down
 "So how awkward is it that when we were about going on strike due to three months work with no salary, today, everyone got an alert with extra bonus" he said
 "You know, I thought about the same thing, I really don't understand what is going on, its like we are all walking on egg shells"
"Its better we don't pry, you know what happened the last time" 
"Yes I know, how can I forget, its registered in my cerebrum, you know things used to be better when we stopped being interns and became doctors".



                Six Years Ago 

 Mandy is briefing Mike in her office, she looks up to see Tamuno waving excitedly outside her door 
"Well I guess orientation is over, we will see next time" 
Mike gets up and leaves, Tamuno comes in and hugs Mandy in excitement
 "I made it! I'm officially a practicing neurosurgeon" she screamed out loud
"Wow, I'm so proud of you, I must say green suits you better than blue, we should celebrate my treat" she grabs her bag from the desk
 "Have you told Ego and Simi?" 
"Yes I did, Ego went for her interview" 
"Well call them again, they should meet us at the restaurant" 
As they walk out of her office, Mandy sees her dad talking to an unknown man in front of his office, his face is filled with rage
 "What is that? Looks like trouble" Tamuno said
 "Probably nothing, its crazy here, maybe he lost a case or client"

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TEN: SPRUNG OUT: CHAPTER FIVE: PARENTAL CARE

"I don't understand what you mean? You are accusing me falsely and I won't accept it" he looks at her furiously
"I'm sorry, if this feels like a false accusation to you, then you have to recuse yourself"
"What? So I look like a client to you, Mandy what has come over you? I'm sorry if you still are suffering from the loss, you need help, and I can help you"
She stands up and paces round the room, then opens her bag and hands him a file
"I didn't want to use this, but you left me with no choice"
She gives the file to him, he stares at it for a while going through every page, suddenly his countenance drops
"Please, you have to believe me, he made me promise not to, your father is in some serious trouble"
"Oh my God! So if I didn't have any proof, you would have sent me away in the quest of helping me, like I'm some deluded little girl, with a wild imagination, how could you?
 She struggle with the words in her mouth, he voice becomes unsteady and shaky
"I'm really sorry, but you have to let this go, the road you want to tread on is dangerous, your father already took the risk of staying ghost, if the government knows, he is a felon, and we all helped in aiding and abetting, you know how all this works" he tries to convince her
"No, you aided and abetted a felon, not me, you know what uncle, I will find him, with or without your help, and I will tell him how dead he is to me, he was my idol, I adored and practically worshiped at his feet, all I did was to please him, I studied law because I wanted to be as influential as he is, but right now I feel disgusted!
She takes her bag and zips it
 "Good bye Uncle Fred, this time I mean it, for good"
She stomps out of the house, leaving the man wondering why he helped to tarnish the best memory she had of her father.



 The girls are in the restaurant having lunch, everyone is busy with their meal, no one feels chatty and up for a talk
"Okay I can't keep calm anymore, this is weird and awkward, everyone spill it" Tamuno breaks the silence
"Did you give me that quota because you think I'm not strong to push a baby out?"
"What!"
 Ego and Mandy chorused at what Simi said, she looked on sternly at Tamuno
"No! I will never think that, I know you are baby Simi, but no! You are tougher than you look, its the normal policy, but its given by the third trimester, I just wanted to prepare you, didn't want to break it at that stage" she tries to explain herself
"Well next time don't give me preferential treatment because I am your friend, when the expectant mothers gets what they should get, that will be when I will get what I should get, okay!" She uses a commanding tone
 "Okay, are cool yet?"
 Tamuno extends her hand for a peace offering
"Yes, we are cool" they shake hands
"Okay I want to cry" Ego said, they all stare at her with surprise on their faces
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" She stares back also surprised
 "Do you realize this is the first time in ages you are making a humane statement?" Simi looks at her with her brows raised
 "True, I almost thought I won't be Brutal Mandy anymore, it will now be Brutal Ego"
"Wow, I didn't know it was that bad" Ego said in a meek tone
 "Well if it wasn't maybe people didn't complain"
 She becomes uneasy with what Tamuno said
"Then I was wrong, how many people complained?" Tamuno said
"Everyone in my office...."
 "End of story, you are back, we should celebrate but I'm not feeling up to it"
Mandy raises her glass of wine and gulps down the contents all at once
"Wow, looks like your meeting didn't go well" Simi said
 "No, but one thing is clear finally, I never had a father, just the image of who I thought he was, and I can't wait to say it to his face".



 When we were younger, we always saw our parents as small gods, they frightened us in the littlest of ways, sometimes we even go out of our way hoping they will be pleased, a little hand made Christmas card, an I love you on Valentine's day.....but when we end up getting chastised for our actions, we have that notion in our little minds, that they don't care, they hate us, they are not our parents. But growing up we get to value everything they did, every action they took to shape and fashion our future, but what happens when we learn their dirty secrets? Do we push them away? Kick them to the curb? Pretend like they never existed? No we don't, because they are humans, and not the demi gods we thought of them as, hereby they are very capable of mistakes.

Dedicated to the loving mothers and fathers who nurtured us to adulthood, those who still live on, God bless you, those who are late, may they rest in perfect peace and those we never knew of, a piece of them still lives in us. To be continued.

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TEN: SPRUNG OUT: CHAPTER FOUR: RECKONING FEAR

She just stood there for a long while counting from one to one thousand, then from one thousand back to one, she couldn't get herself to do it, her limbs go completely numb, with every fiber of her being, she knocks on the door, after few moments the door opens
 "Mandy, what a surprise, please do come in"
The elderly man ushered her into the house, down to the living room
 "Make yourself at home" she sits on the sofa
 "Uncle Fred, how are you?" 
"Well I'm fine health wise, a few pains in my lower back but I will be alright" he smiled in a perky way 
"I'm glad you are"
 "So what brings you? Oh! silly old me, pardon my manners, would you like some wine?" he offered standing up to fetch it 
"Don't worry uncle, I don't want to bother you" she said
 "Are you sure?"
 "Yes"
 "Well if you say so" he sits down
 "How is your family? I hope you hear from them" she tries to spark up a conversation 
"Everyone is fine, my eldest daughter, Kemi just put to bed, a baby boy, it gets lonely here, but they always visit for Christmas, but something tells me that's not what brings you here, or I'm I wrong, the first time in five years, you are suddenly concerned about my welfare?" he said in dismal 
"I admit, I'm not the poster child of my father, I cut out everyone when he died, but funny enough, that's the reason I'm here"
She looks on sternly with her gaze fixed on his face, wondering if he twitched at the mention of her father
"You are here because you cut me out when your father died?" he sounded confused
 "No, I'm here because he is alive and you know he is". 



 Simi is in the living room watching a documentary on the television on 'how to prepare for labor' she holds on to her stomach like she is in a form of physical pain, practicing the exercise with the expectant mother on the screen, Deji walks in and she switches it off, pretending to be looking at her nails.
 He takes note of the awkwardness and looks at her
"What?" she blinks rapidly avoiding the eye contact 
"What are you up to?" he dims his gaze and raises his brows
"Does it look like I'm up to something?" she tries to play along
 "I could swear the television was on why is it off?" 
He moves towards it, she covers her face with the pillow in shame before he switches it on
"Wow, this is deep, is this really happening, Oh my God! is that an intestine?" he switches it off immediately and turns to her with his face in real shock 
"Okay you got me, I'm trying to be prepared" 
"You are scaring the hell out of yourself" he goes to her, sits and takes her hand
 "I don't want you to feel like you can't do this, why are you having second thoughts?" 
"Its Tamuno, she just brought this quota from no where expecting me to fill it, in case the c-section becomes an option" she said moody 
"Not an option, we can do this, we are a team, we are in this together, so please promise you won't watch that scary thing again" he hugs her tightly and plants a peck on hear forehead 
"I will, thank you, you are the best" 
She smiles and holds on tightly, wishing that he doesn't let go of his embrace, because she feels safe, from the world, and the worries there in.