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.

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TEN: SPRUNG OUT: CHAPTER THREE: THE LEAP

Yinka is parked outside Yedire's department, she is contemplating on whether to attend the lecture
"This is a horrible idea, I can't do this" she said
 "This is your final year, you just have to be courageous, I spoke with your H.O.D and promised him you will be in class today, it is not like you are visually impaired" he said
"Is that supposed to make me feel great about myself, because it is not working"
"I'm sorry, you can't keep running away from life, it won't halt and wait for you, it will keep moving till eventually its far away from your reach, then you will have no other option but to start all over again".
 She is silent for a while lost in thoughts
 "Okay you got me, just call Amaka"
"Thank you so much, trust me you won't regret this" he dials a number on his phone
"Hello, Amaka...yes we are outside".
They wait for a while before she comes out of the hall and walks towards the car
"Well here goes nothing"
 "Are you kidding, here goes everything"
He comes out of the car as soon as she approaches it "Glad you both made it" Amaka said
"It was very hard, kept convincing till we came here"
He opens the door and gets wheelchair, they both help her to sit on it
 "If this doesn't work, I will kill you when I get back" Yedire said
"Take care, I will come pick you up when you are done"
"Yes dad, bye dad" she said and they laugh.



 Deji is in the club when Yinka comes in
"Man I need a drink!" Yinka said
 "Isn't it too early to be taking something strong" Deji said
"Nah, I'm just kidding"
"What's up, you look stressed" Deji said
"Its not easy, I took Yedire to school just now" 
"You really do a lot for that girl, she is lucky to have you" 
"Not in that way, we are just friends, no strings attached"
"But you want the strings to be attached" 
"Well I think about it, but she is a difficult one, don't think I'm strong enough to handle drama"
 "If you say so, let's not talk about women, a music producer was here earlier hoping he would see you but unfortunately he didn't" 
"A music producer, why?"
 "Are you seriously trying to play dumb? After your state of the art performance last weekend, man you belong to that stage, you have talent"
 "I wish I could, but I have a lot on my plate, law school, now the recent development......" 
"Doesn't mean you can't take care of yourself, I'm not telling to start rapping, and throw away other things, I'm just telling you to check it out, here is his card, maybe the name will ring a bell" 
Deji hands over the card to him, he looks at it and laughs loudly
 "Wow! I've got to be dreaming, unbelievable!"
"Told you its worth a shot"

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TEN: SPRUNG OUT: CHAPTER TWO: WOMAN IN THE MIRROR

Simi is sitting in the hospital lobby when Tamuno walks up to her
"Well look at you, you are glowing"
"Really? Because its the first time you are seeing me?"
"Hey, don't try to dodge a compliment, get up and follow me"
"You? Why should I follow you? I came to see Dr Femi not you"
"In this case, you also came to see me, standard hospital procedure, in case you....well let's talk in my office shall we"
"Okay"
They both walk out of the lobby into her office, as they enter, Simi sights the apple on the table and picks it up immediately before she sits
 "Help me wash this, please?" She grins at her
 "Oh look at that, you didn't even ask where it came from"
"Well its mine, since I'm in your office, by the way, this place is huge, I haven't stepped into it since your promotion" Tamuno hands over the apple "Thank you"
"Okay Mrs Kojo, I'm being formal because you are here as my patient not my friend, so let's skip to the main part"
 "Wow you really are uptight" Simi said with her mouth full
 "This is......."
"Standard procedure, I get it, go on"
"I normally do this so you don't have to go through the caesarean section, except its an option for you"
 "Not an option! I'm doing this the normal way!"
"Hope you know that the normal way its excruciatingly painful and not a walk in the park"
"I know okay, don't make me loose my appetite"
 "Okay, just fill out this form, we do this as early as possible, especially now that you are in your second trimester so you can prepare yourself, that will be all, remember, we have zero policy for littering, dispose the apple properly when you are done"
 "You are enjoying this aren't you?"
 "Of course I am, take this as a payback for using my face for make up trials".



 Ego is in her office when Ruki walks in
"Are you in a bad mood? If you just say yes I will walk out of the door and never come back" Ruki said
 "Why are you asking me that?"
"In case you haven't noticed, you've been jump starting on everyone, rumor has it you are the next Yewande"
 "Get to the point!"
"My point is, you are becoming a sadist, you don't compliment people like you used to, you don't even smile, I don't get it"
"The only thing you are going to get is that you should mind your business"
 "There it is, you are doing it again, what is going on, where is Ego and what have you done with her"
"The only thing I've done is, I chose not to let people walk over me anymore, so if you don't want me to literally walk you over or in this case walk you out, skedaddle!"
 "Uhmm can you just let me help, what's the problem? You've helped me once before"
"Get out!"
"Okay that was crystal clear, I'm going, just know that this new you doesn't suit your persona at all, I miss the old you, everyone does, I know your friends will too".

LAME RED: SEASON TWO: EPISODE TEN: SPRUNG OUT; CHAPTER ONE: JACK IN THE BOX

Yinka enters the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, he keeps yawning widely, his mom is in the kitchen
 "Rough night, I can see that, you don't have to be awake because of me, go back to sleep, I will call a cab"
"No mum, I promised to drive you back and I will, I still can't believe you are leaving, why can't you stay?"
"We talked about this, as much as I hate to admit it, your father needs me, so I need to get back to him"
"You really are amazing mom, most women will just up and leave, but you stayed for me, for the family, I admire you for that"
 "Well my son, that's the perks of saying for better or for worse at the altar, most women don't get that its a vow, vows are like promises, they are meant to be kept not broken, no matter what, you should always stick to the end" he hugs her
 "Will really miss you mom, and I vow to always visit you, no matter how heavy the traffic is"
"Thank you, but I won't hold it against you if you don't, besides your house is a full house now, I doubt if there will be a dull moment"
"Yea, and that freaks the hell out of me".



 Mandy opens the door to find Mike outside
"Wow, you really had a wild night" he said
"Yes I did, come in" he enters and sits
 " So that's the reason I didn't see you during morning mass, oh let me guess, you haven't been to morning mass for months now"
 "Didn't the bible say judge not so ye shall not be judged?"
"Even the devil quotes the bible" he said almost in a whisper so she doesn't hear
"Excuse you!"
"Nothing, don't you want to know why I came over instead of waiting till tomorrow?"
 "Why did you come over? Wait, you found something didn't you?"
"Yes I did, turns out that your Uncle Fred Lawson, your fathers cousin might know a lot more about your father's fake death, he is staying at his home in London, with his family"
"What! Uncle Fred knows? He held my hand and sympathized with me during the funeral, why are people like this?"
"You don't have to blame him, telling you will be a big risk"
 "I'm going to ask him, time to pay Mr Freddie a visit"
 "No you can't! Mandy chill for a while, we have to confirm how authentic this information is first"
"No we don't, I will do it myself".