The Phone Thief

2. Just The Truth

"Just tell me, why did you return my phone?" Abubakar demanded.

"Why didn't you set a password on it?" Adam asked.

"Because..... because no one has access to my phone. It's always with me."

"But I had, for a good whole day" Adam snapped. "I went through your files, pictures, videos, contacts, emails, SMS, Facebook, and twitter....my bad. I followed my account on twitter....because I was stuck at 419 followers, 419, imagine? Like I'm some kind of a criminal. So I made it 420. I realized you're an ustaz from the contents of your phone. It's full of good people stuff and sermons -no music, no love messages, no nudes, no nonsense you know, it's 2019 and..."

Abubakar was not smiling. "When did you do all of those searches? because I have called several times and the phone wasn't reachable"

"Yes I changed the Sim Card, I don't want to be disturbed. I...I use my data for the Facebook and twitter and...and other stuff"

"Why did you return the phone to me then?" Abubakar muttered"

"Oh Its been long that I spoke to my mother. So I called her....she...she asked me why I didn't call her for long so I told her that I don't have a phone that's why. She asked of whose phone I was using, I told her it's someone's. I even tried to change the topic but she kept asking and I don't want to lie to her. I told her I stole it. She started crying." Abubakar looked down at his hands as he continued. "So she asked me to return it and even before then, I have decided to return it because from what I saw in your phone, you're a good man and I regretted stealing your phone."

Both Abubakar and Umar sighed. Abubakar moved close to Adam and asked him "don't you have friends who will deter you from stealing?"

"Friends? Who are friends? I had only two, one died 62 months ago in a motor accident, the other one, Muhammad - I haven't seen or heard from him for long, maybe 36 months or so." Adam said.

Umar interjected "How comes you don't have more than two friends? I have never seen...."

"Because....
cox...most people that we call friends aren't friends but rather, just people that we know and interact with. If you look closely, most of your friends are your classmates, colleagues... and neighbors. Some of them do really become friends but that's like 2 or 3 out of every 100. The rest are just people you know and maybe went through something together. You yourself, there are people that think you're their friend but you don't really give a damn about them, you haven't met their parents, or girlfriends" Umar laughed "you don't know their whereabouts, or their life challenges, or their favorite colors and dishes or their secrets. Which means you don't love them. Friends must love and care for each other. To be honest, those you call friends may not even be happy with your success. There are enemies that pose as friends.

But try this, block some of your friends from viewing your WhatsApp status, they'll forget about your existence. Some will call to find out if you broke your phone screen so they'll jubilate. Some will call to find out if all is well because they care and if you tell them your screen broke, they wouldn't be happy, they may give you another phone. You can't really understand people totally."

"Wait, you seem to know a lot and you're clever and..." Abubakar was pointing out and Adam interjected.

"Its because I know a lot of books, they are my friends. They always help me. They always tell me the truth and they are not hypocrites. Cleverness that wasn't inherited can be gotten through reading."

"But you know, the prophet said..." Abubakar was about to start preaching.

Adam stood up "Seriously, I have to go, right now."

"Why?" Umar asked.

"Because obviously, Abubakar want to start preaching. I don't want to hear it."

"Why don't you want to hear?" Abubakar asked.

"Because I have heard enough, I know stealing is bad and can get me killed and I'll go to hell. Or are you going to tell me anything worst than this? See, stealing is the only thing I'm good at. I am a Field Marshall at stealing. I want to stop stealing but that'll mean my death because I'm addicted and that's how I get what I have." Adam barked.

"Why don't you work for your daily needs?" Umar snapped back.

"Because my wicked step mother will not let me, my father will never let me do it." Adam was raising his voice.

"Why don't you just leave the house, must you stay with them?" Umar asked.

Abubakar was the one who answered "no, how could he run away from his father, where should he go to?"

"I would have left long ago. But who will take care of my sister?"

"Wait...what?, you have a sister and you're the one talking care of her? where is your mother?"

"You were busy asking of why I returned your phone and not of my story and now you're out of time, I have to go." and with that, Adam was already moving towards the door.

"Where are you going to?" Umar asked.

"There's a phone I have to steal and its about action time" Adam promptly answered.

"Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji oon." Abubakar kept saying. He stood from where he is sitting and went straight to stop Adam from going out of the room. "I won't let you go.  You must tell me your story and I must help you. Now go back and sit."

Adam didn't move an inch but he asked "will you get me enrolled in a university, and get me a job for my sustenance, and then take custody of my sister, buying everything she needs and want?"

"I...I...I can't promise you that. That's not something easy you know but I will do the best that I can."

Adam placed the palms of his hands on his face. "That's what everyone kept saying. So I wouldn't waste your time and you wouldn't waste mine. I have to go."

"No you're not going." Umar was pushing him.

"Wallahi I must go now. I have to go and get something for my sister to eat, you guys can't stop me." Adam was adamant about going.

Umar brought out money from his pocket. Counted N4,000 and gave Adam. Adam grabbed the money and tucked it in his pocket. "But I still have to go." he warned.

"But don't steal anything again" Abubakar said "we will do all we can to help you if you will tell us the truth"

"The truth?" Adam acted as if he was not sure of what he had heard "Look, if you guys are questioning the sincerity of what I told you, take your money back and you'll never see me again. I am a thief but lying isn't solution I'm used to." his lower lip was shaking out of anger.

"I am sorry, very sorry. We will let you go. But promise me, that you will come back today or tomorrow." Abubakar pleaded.

"Tomorrow" Adam answered.

"you should come after 2:00pm, I will be waiting for you. Besides..." Abubakar brought out an itel phone, removed the Sim card and handed it to Adam. "Use that phone. I will write my phone number for you and you'll give me yours. We shall talk"

They exchanged phone numbers and Adam was on his way out of the room. He tucked his hands in his pocket and brought out the same phone that he had stolen from Abubakar, Umar's ear piece and a pair of Abubakar's cuff links.... he looked at them as they both opened their mouths out of surprise. He kept them on a table and said "Whatever you do for a living, be the best at it."......

.......
Just the truth

So. Was it what you think will unfold?

Well you are yet to get the full answer to why Adam returned the phone. Keep reading. Thank you.

The star ★