KISS OF BETRAYAL

CHAPTER 10

Iyke looked behind him a third time. Was that car actually following him or his imaginations were simply in overdrive?
He whistled as he walked down Okilo street, cautiously aware of his surroundings.
He walked as far as possible from the main road, then suddenly branched into one of the restaurants lining the streets. He immediately exited through the backyard, at the astonishment of the waiter who was ready with a menu. He broke into a run, exited Okilo street and ran past Lily's house at Number 1 college road. When he was clear of the street, he stopped and bought cold sachet water to calm his nerves. Then looked around for any sign of the grey Camry. Seeing none, he started walking back to College road. As Iyke approached the street, he sighted the car parked under a mango tree with a rough looking driver. Immediately their eyes met, he felt chills run down his spine. The man slowly put on his dark glasses and got into the car.

That was the target, the description was unmistakable.

Iyke turned and bolted again, he ran like his life depended on it. Was he becoming paranoid? What was all this nonsense. He looked behind him, the car was nowhere in sight. He ran into a tailor's shop and started pulling off his clothes. The man was bewildered.

"Sorry Sir," Iyke said, before the man concluded he was mad.

"Which one is this?" The tailor asked, perplexed. He was already carrying a bamboo stick.

"Please Sir, I need any clothe you can give me. Please, my life is in danger. I beg you in the name of God Sir," Iyke pleaded.

A small crowd was gathering in front of the shop. Iyke felt silly wearing only boxers and singlet.

The tailor stared at him, as if he grew a second head. "Who are you?"

Iyke thought he would go crazy, there was no time for all these questions.
"Oga abeg, this is a matter of life and death. Just give me clothe, any clothe," Iyke pleaded. He heard a horn blast and started sweating furiously.

"Wear your clothes na," The aged tailor suggested, still holding the bamboo stick, ready to smash the young man's skull if he came too close.

Another horn blast, Iyke couldn't take it anymore, the man was definitely there for him. He jumped out of the shop and took off again, wearing only singlet and boxers, to the amusement of the crowd. Everyone had a thing to say.

Instead of trying to find out what was wrong, they were laughing. Let them laugh.

Iyke risked a glance behind him, it was actually a Mercedes horning at a gate, no grey Camry was in sight. It must have branched off to somewhere. He forced himself to calm down and think. He analysed the situation, wondering where to start heading to. Home was no option at all, not with that witch in there. He had to call his friend Emeka and stay at his house today. He felt for his phone in his pocket, then froze. No pocket, no phone. Shit! He left everything at the tailor's shop, he turned and started running back.
Iyke felt like laughing at himself, but that would only serve to buttress people's fears. He ignored the stares as he ran back to the shop. The crowd was still there and the tailor was narrating what happened. Everyone made way for him as he approached. He grabbed his clothes, ignoring their questions.

"Please do you have a back door?" He asked the tailor.

"Why are you asking?" the aged tailor retorted, picking up his bamboo stick.

Nigerians sha, answering questions with questions. Iyke quickly glanced around the shop. There was the backdoor! It was safer to go that way. He made for it, carrying his clothes. The crowd erupted with noise.

Iyke didn't care, he had surely made that tailor popular. He was very sure that Flora sent the man after him, she was capable of anything. He would go and sleep in his friend's house today, then think of what to do. He might go and see Lily tomorrow being Friday or the next. Then it struck him. Lily! Maybe the man went for her. Crap! what was he thinking, he must get Lily out of that house at once!