Karma

Revenge they say, is a dish best served cold but then, I wouldn’t know, I like my meals spicy hot.

People think I’m mean, when all I do is look out for my family. Jaleel is weak and the 13th descendants of the Dan Fodio clan are not known for weakness.

The instruction was simple – kill them off, get closer to the daughter and finish her too. I trusted my baby brother to do this – for me, for our parents, to protect our name! We are known to revenge but trust Jaleel to catch feelings and be stupid.

If you’re wondering what my name is, it’s Jaja and I’m what you guys would call a Bla Bla black sheep.

I’ve always been a rebel, right from when we lived in the government quarters when my parents were alive. Baba tried to ship me off to various schools all in a bid to ‘reform’ me. Hence, I’ve schooled all around the world – London, Paris, UAE, Edo state, name it, been there, done that. The last stint was one Catholic school like that in Anambra state, I was expelled and came back home to Abuja.

Baba would complain and compare me to Jaleel – straight A student, First Class product from the best schools and despite the odd disparities, my brother and I were thick as thieves, but if you know, you know.

Baba forgot so easily that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. He had a reckless past just like me, he thought I didn’t know about his shady Bureau de change deals, the number of rivals he sent to their graves, together with his business partner who later sent him to the grave. So, tell me why I shouldn’t have taken revenge on that family.
Alhaji Abeeb Was The criminal, the traitor, not me. He introduced Baba to a lot of shady deals. Baba used to take me with him for the nocturnal meetings where they talked in hushed tones while I fiddled with my Spiderman figurine. Once, they killed a man and made me watch. Said it’ll make me a man. Well, a man I am now. Gentleman? Not so much.

I grew up into a beast. I’ve escaped jail thrice only because of Baba’s connections. The last time, he came to get me himself and I got an earful in the car on the way home. He was still yelling when the first bullet smashed through the driver side mirror and blood and brain matter spluttered into my mouth. Before the shock could register in, I saw the offending Lexus from whence the bullet came drive past and I never forgot the face I saw staring back at me. Alhaji Abeeb.

He knew I saw him, so he made to reverse and finish off his mission, but adrenaline kicked in. I pushed Baba’s corpse out onto the street and drove away, never looking back.

I couldn’t go home for days, Abeeb’s men were everywhere, watching and waiting for me and by the time I got word from home, mama was dead. Jaleel was in London for his masters. I, in hiding and Abeeb was taking over Baba’s assets.

The next few years were hell, you do not want to know the kind of atrocities I committed to survive while pretending to my brother that all was well at home. I had to take over his upkeep so he could complete his education. Alhaji Abeeb had taken over everything, every square inch, and even if I came out of hiding, I was defenseless, all our allies were gone.

I went to London.

Jaleel owed me and he knew it. Our parents ‘ death had to be Avenged and Alhaji Abeeb already knew my face, I would be dead the minute I landed the Murtala Mohammed Airport. So, I told Jaleel what to do.
The plan was simple – kill the parents. Marry the girl. Ruin her life. Kill her.

Blackouts? No! That was us! I gave Jaleel the pills myself, she would zone out intermittently without cause and be unable to carry a pregnancy to term. I said it! That family shall know no peace for what they did to mine – killing Armani is giving her the mercy she doesn’t deserve. I want her to suffer, Alive.

Jaleel and his guilty conscience! He wanted to stop, let go and have a family. Then what happens to me? Armani’s parents ruined my life, and he wants to start a family? With that bitch?

First, I sent Anita. I thought cheating would distract him but he would come to his senses From time to time and I couldn’t have that, so I upped the dose of the pills I gave him for his wife, and when I got the call that Jaleel was dead, I knew it worked. He had unknowingly given her an overdose of the drug obviously and she responded as all criminals were wont to do. Now, I have my brother’s death to avenge too. I am giddy with excitement.

The road is free as I drive to the hospital they took Armani for the evacuation, another miscarriage. It seems the gods are in agreement with me and have taken all the obstacles from my way. I caress the glock resting in the front pocket of my jeans and hum to myself.

Jaleel may be dead but Armani hasn’t seen what’s coming.

Revenge is a dish, best served cold.

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This episode is originally written by me as part of an ongoing collaboration between 20 bloggers from across the country. You can read the other episodes here