BLOOD ON ICE!!!!!!!!!!
NORA 'LIU
A NOVELLETE DEDICATED TO THE YOUTH ALL OVER THE WORLD.

CHAPTER ONE:
Esularoye leaned against a rusty drum in his father’s garage, beads of sweat forming round his neck.
His eyes blood shot red from worries, heart aches and tears shed inside him. The garage was his only refuge in times of discomfort. A place, he quickly turned, to shut out his fussy mother and caring father.
As the only child of his parents, they did everything they could to make him happy. Born with a silver spoon, Esularoye was spoilt. His parents were over protective and never allowed him out of their sight, except for a good reason. His nursery, primary and secondary school education was received in one of the best Education centers in Benin City and as a day student.
When finally, time came for a University education, he remembered how his parents had insisted on the University of Benin to keep an eye on him but he was fed up with being the baby and had applied for an admission in The University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Esularoye was extremely brilliant and his father did not need to use influence to get him on the merit list.
His dream was to be the greatest laboratory scientist in the world, to the chagrin of his parents, who preferred Medicine/Surgery. He had a strong conviction that nothing was impossible and that he could within few years of research after his studies, procure a drug to cure H. I. V.
His dream from childhood was to etch his name in the Guinness Book of Record.
All that was now a mirage, he had failed his parents, his family, himself and all those who believed in him!!!!!!!
The shame was too much for him to bear. Inside him, his tears was a pool, in which he strongly desired to drown. What was he going to do now? To tell or not to tell?
Both options had horrible consequences!! He was in a great dilemma. For the first time in his life, he could not save his ass by ignoring the problem. As each day passed the problem was growing!!
What was he to do? How did it all begin? How did he get into this mess? ” Oh God, please come to my rescue” He thought aloud. Suddenly he blushed in pains as he thought about his creator.
He was not the religious type and had quickly found himself in the Kegite Club as soon as he got into school. He loved clubbing, partying and drinking. Away from his home and comfort zone he needed to feel among with the other brethren. Now he wished, he had listened to his parents advice.
He felt he had behaved like the Israelites in the Wilderness, murmuring in ingratitude, in spite of God’s love for them.
He had despised his parent’s over protectiveness, reminding them he was a big boy, at every opportunity.
All he could wish for now, was for his early childhood to return, so he could make things right. That too was impossible! If only he had listened to his parents advice to keep good company.
The only solution to clean his mess was to spill blood! Oh No! He could feel his brain in a turmoil at the thought of his parents anger, if they ever found out.
“No way, I must end this, before it gets out”.

Suddenly, pictures of how it all began were created in his imagination. It all began on a Monday morning, a week after he had resumed school for his second semester. He was overjoyed to leave home again, as there were promises of more social activities by his club. He was also happy at the thought of becoming a 2nd year student in a few months time. He was sick and tired of being tagged a JAMBITE.
As he took the Bush path that led to the College of Medicine from his hostel, he smiled to himself, basking in the euphoria of the first class for the second semester, fresh man year. He repeated the phrase he had often heard his mother sputter, “This too will soon pass”. ” In a jiffy, I’ll be in my second year”, he said to himself.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a pretty young girl, on her way back to her hostel. She had a rechargeable lamp in her right hand and her eyes were swollen and red. She had passed the night in a classroom reading! As she walked past him gracefully, a crush developed immediately. She had the aura of a noble woman. He wondered why any one would be reading at night, when the semester was just kicking off. He was too shy to make a move and repressed the feelings that were welling up in him as he hurried to class.
Esularoye was a ladies man, he was a carbon copy of his father: tall, light skinned and handsome, he was fleshy and had a straight gait. His warm grin exposed a beautiful dentition that easily swept most girls off their feet. He had received love letters from a handful of girls while in secondary school but he wasn’t so eager about a relationship then. No girl passed by him without casting a second glance, this one had barely noticed him!!!!!
As soon as he got to class, he got busy hugging friends and locating his gang.
After classes that day, he had hung out in the wood with them, discussing the plan for the
night. Pompe, Tope, Ola oye and Esularoye were a four man gang and members of the Kegite club.
They fondly called themselves, PePe Oye an acronym they made from the last letters of their names which sounded alike. Wherever they went, they were always together like quadruplets.
They were to hang out with their babes ( a word they used fondly to refer to their lovers) that night at the park in front of Kudirat Abiola Hostel, where they resided.
He was to hang around waiting for them as he neither had a babe nor interest in any lady.
At exactly 5pm. They converged at the park, waiting for their girls and chatting themselves up.
Suddenly, she appeared again, the girl he saw earlier in the day. This time she was looking refreshed, she took a seat close to theirs and looked away into space, as if unaware of their presence.
In her hands was a magazine. Suddenly, he heard his friends laughing, only to realize, he had been gaping in her direction. They urged him to make a move and when he refused, they pushed him off the seat, as he struggled, fighting back, their ladies arrived and after exchanging pleasantries they split in different directions, within ear shot.
He could barely take his eyes off her. What was it about this girl, that made him uneasy?
He decided to give it a try. He had dated a couple of times, ladies who threw themselves at him, refusing to take no for an answer. Without thinking twice, he took two steps and was towering over her.
He was so nervous as he sputtered a salutation: Hi….. Hi…Dear.
“What do you want?” came the rude reply. As he managed to find his tongue, he reeled out the word, “FRIENDSHIP”. Like magic, her countenance changed, she offered him a seat beside her and soon they were engrossed in personal details.
His friends had been very surprised at his “quick catch” and had hailed him, on their way back to their rooms.
Angela, the angel who had swept him off his feet, was a first year student studying Physiology.
She was the assistant class representative of her class and from a humble background. They had exchanged phone numbers and he couldn’t wait to call her the next morning.
That was beginning of a rosy relationship. Without warning they crossed the boundary of friendship.
Somehow, he had deflowered her, months later and now she was pregnant.
He couldn’t deny the pregnancy as everyone on campus knew about their relationship. She would not opt for an abortion, as she was a staunch catholic.
He remembered how it had happened that day.
They had met in a friend’s off campus shelter for a tat, all her idea. The host had delivered possession of her room to Angela for the night. One thing led to another and it happened.
He regretted his actions, especially as they were not protected. It all happened too fast and now she was pregnant and abortion was out of the question!!!!!
His friends had blamed him for being so stupid and had suggested getting rid of Angela, but he couldn’t.
He had been so disorganized for his second semester exams, that he left school as soon as he was through. Now at home, he could not find peace, his mum had noticed his unhappiness and was asking questions. Oh! What next? His father would make him marry the girl to avoid embarrassment.
He wasn’t ready for the stress of fatherhood and being tied down at the age of 19! Something must be done to save the situation.
The horn of his father’s car, jotted him out of his reverie and he hurriedly opened the door to the garage.



CHAPTER TWO:
Angela, had just returned from school and was sure, her mum would soon notice her state. She kept her head low by avoiding her mother’s presence for too long.
She was the only child of her mother, a widow who refused to remarry for her daughter’s sake.
Now she had failed the poor woman. She got more than she bargained for, that night.
Esularoye was one guy, she could not resist. Now she felt so stupid, to have given away all her virtues for a night of pleasure. It wasn’t pleasure after all!!!! Will mum withdraw her from school? Nag her to death? She couldn’t guess, as her mother was not predictable.
Her head was fuzzy! She could not bare the thought of an abortion. One sin was enough to bear.
Was she ready for the challenges of motherhood? She wasn’t sure. The baby was a week old and in three weeks time, they’ll be resuming school for a new session. Soon she’ll be in her 2nd year.
How long was she to keep this a secret?
“Angela! Angela!” Her mother’s call interrupted her thoughts. She hurried to the kitchen to face an alarmed mother. She had been calling and Angela didn’t hear as she was so engrossed in her thoughts.
“What is wrong with you? Angela, didn’t you hear me the first time?”
“Am sorry mum” she replied.” You look so pale” Her mother said, casting a long look at her. “ It is the stress from reading and studies”. She replied.
She could barely wait for resumption, so she could get back to school and sort things out, with an angry Esularoye, who left without notice. She was so confused. Since she came back home, she had not heard from him.
He had insisted on an abortion to her anger and disappointment. She still could not understand why she joined the band wagon, instead of zipping up.
The news would kill her mum. What was she to do ? Maybe she should follow Esularoye’s advice after all..
No! She couldn’t bare the thought of forceps and other cold metal instruments inside her, squeezing out the life of a soul growing in her. How then was she to take care of a child at 17?
“Angela!” It was her mum again. “Please go to your room and sleep, I understand.”
“Thanks mum.”
On her way to her room, something caught her attention. It was a huge bible on the dining table, suddenly she blushed at the thought of God, her creator, her best friend until she yielded to pressure from friends and the lust of the flesh.
That was the bible, with which her parents sealed their marriage, it was a monument that her mother never took off the shelve except something was amiss.
Is it possible she knew about the pregnancy?
“How could I have been so stupid?” She thought aloud. She gripped the bible and dashed into her room, giving the tears in her lachrymal glands, easy passage.
She fell on her knees and wept. Soon her mother was peering through the curtains, Her sobs had caught her attention as she passed by.
“What is wrong with you Angela?” She dashed in and pulled up her daughter, checking the bible to see the damage done.
“Mama, mum………… I have sinned against you and God! I have brought disrepute to the name of this family, I have rendered all your sacrifices and labour for me fruitless!” She found herself saying in a torrent of words.
“ Shush. There is no sin too great to be forgiven.”Her mum replied.
“Am sorry mama, am really sorry.” She sobbed. “ What is this great sin my child?” Her mother asked. “I am…. I am……”
“Jesus wept!” She heard her mother shout. “You are dripping, are you in your period?” Her mother’s gaze were fixed on her legs
As she looked at the floor, she could see blood stains. The dripping blood formed a long line on her left leg.
She had been so embittered at her stupidity that she had gone numb. Was it a miscarriage? How could she be pregnant and in her period at the same time?
Was this a huge joke? Her mum had hurried out of the room to get her a sanitary pad.
Did this mean she wasn’t pregnant? No doctor ever confirmed it. She was so unhappy after that night with Esularoye, that she had jumped to the conclusion that she was paying for her sins, when she missed her period.
She examined herself and realized she was in her period. The cramps she felt in her lower abdomen confirmed it. She wasn’t pregnant after all. Her ovulation must have delayed due to stress.
She thanked her creator in between sobs and vowed never to do repeat her mistake. She had been so scared of pregnancy, that she almost considered suicide a better option!!!!!!
She was going to break up with Esularoye, as soon as school resumed. Her God would be her principal partner henceforth.
That was trouble for another day.
THE END.

BIGAMY A MERE WHITE AND BLACK PUBLICATION

MAD MEN
A young girl at sixteen
Has the carriage and look of my mum at
sixty,
Oh! She used to be simple and innocent
Is she still a saint?
Madmen.
Young girls, youthful and zestful
With dreams and promises to be nothing
but the best,
Under care of parents, prayerful and
watchful,
Strong, they grow, of life , they are full.
Time comes, for flight from cocoon,
What awaits one could be doom,
Only with patience will they bloom,
Suddenly they can’t wait for the groom
Madmen.
Now all they crave, is money and gold
Even their body is to be sold,
High heeled shoes and hot skirts on the
road,
Ever ready to do, just as they are told.
Madmen.
Not every man is insane,
Not every man is sane,
The numbers are on the increase
But who do they deceive?
Madmen.
With a pretty dame for a wife
They haven’t had enough of life
On the heels of damsels
Not minding, if it is their daughters
Madmen.
Empires and castles they have built,
They wear the most expensive suit,
Everything they control but their erections,
They’ll take anything except correction.
Madmen.
On their lips are sweet tales to tell,
Annoying dogs, that are doomed for hell,
Will they be wise and seek good counsel?
That is too much to expect.
Madmen.
The voice of warning, they’ll not hear,
If only they knew, their time is near,
Very soon, they’ll wear and tear,
Cos, they’ve suddenly slipped out of
gear!!!!!!!!!!!
Madmen.

Annora Aliu