The Phone Thief

1. In The Beginning

"Hello, Abubakar"

"Mallam this is not Abubakar"

"O...kay, did Abubakar lost his phone or something?"

"No, I stole it"

"What?"

"Yes you heard me right. I stole it yesterday, and I have changed my mind, I want to return it to him, so I will like you to give me his address" says the thief.

Umar was hesitant "wait, why should I trust you?"

"If you can get him through any other line, call him and ask him whether his phone was stolen. I stole it from his pocket when we were moving out of the jumaat mosque. When you confirm, I will be waiting for your call." The thief hung up.

After about ten minutes, the thief received a text message by Umar detailing the address of Abubakar.

Forty minutes later, the thief was strolling through the street where Abubakar resides. "The house with Red door by the right" the text said. Reaching there, he saw two guys standing in front of the house. He went straight to them and shook their hands.

The thief then put his hands in his pocket and brought out the phone. Abubakar and the other guy exchanged a quick glance out of surprise.

"Here's your phone" he gave Abubakar the phone saying "please forgive me, am very sorry." With that, he took a step backward and started leaving.

"Why did you decided to return it?" Abubakar asked.

The thief stopped walking but didn't turn. Abubakar and the other guy walked up to him. He then turned. He looked pale, as he blinked his eyes continuously. He started to say something but his lips were quivering. "Please don't beat me" he managed to say with his head down, looking at his toes.

Now, to the other guy's added surprise, Abubakar hugged the thief, held his hand and took him to his room. The other guy followed - Umar.

Abubakar sat on a chair in the room, Umar leaned against the cupboard and the thief was asked to sit by the bed side.

Umar gave the thief sachet water. He drank little and kept it gently on the drawer close to him.

"What's your name?" Abubakar asked the thief.

The thief nervously sat with both of his hands tucked between his thighs, he was not comfortable from his composure, it was expected anyway.

"My name is Adam, Adam Isa"

"Okay Adam, see, this is Umar" Abubakar was explaining "he was the guy that you called. We are amazed. I have never seen a thief returned what he stole just like that. We want to know why. See we don't have any intention of harming you. Please feel free"

Adam was just looking at them with wide eyes. He didn't say anything. He kept swallowing saliva.

"Why did you return the phone?" Umar asked.

Adam opened his mouth. They thought he was going to explain but what came out was "please give me food"

"Food?" Abubakar asked not sure of what he heard.
Adam doesn't look like he's starving or even hungry. Abubakar felt sorry for him anyway.

"O...Kay, you're hungry. And sadly, I don't think they're done cooking in this house. There might be nothing to eat right now in this house, but let me check.

He was back after like three minutes. He shrugged. "Nothing" he said.

Umar then said "Let me get him egg roll and doughnut from madam Faith."