Încărcare
Găsiți următoarea book favorită
Deveniți un membru astăzi și citiți gratuit pentru 30 zileÎncepeți perioada gratuită de 30 zileInformații despre carte
Shadows And Nothings
Până la Tony Nwaka
Acțiuni carte
Începeți să citițiLungime: 359 pagini11 ore
- Editor:
- Alphikka Technologies
- Lansat:
- Sep 27, 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780463068694
- Format:
- Carte
Descriere
Julius does not like wedding ceremonies, but he has to be present on this occasion as the bride is the sister of his best friend. The party turns out to be more than Julius expected and he finds himself hopelessly drawn to another guest at the ceremony. Knowing nothing of the troubles tearing her world apart, Julius relentlessly pursues the enchanting Lauretta until he cracks the walls that circumstances have erected around her. But just when Lauretta begins to put her hope in the redemptive power of Julius’ love, the glimmer on the horizon is blighted by an old flame from his own equally unsavoury past flickering to life and casting shadows on the future they have dared to believe in.
Will Julius succumb to the frailty of human nature? Will they ever be together or will their future be destroyed by the evil threatening within and without him? Will he listen to the counsel of friends or lean to the promptings of his heart? In the end, will Julius go the way of others?
SHADOWS AND NOTHINGS is a rousing romance experience narrated in such elegant language as will keep the reader captivated till the end of the book.
Informații despre carte
Shadows And Nothings
Până la Tony Nwaka
Lungime: 359 pagini11 ore
Descriere
Julius does not like wedding ceremonies, but he has to be present on this occasion as the bride is the sister of his best friend. The party turns out to be more than Julius expected and he finds himself hopelessly drawn to another guest at the ceremony. Knowing nothing of the troubles tearing her world apart, Julius relentlessly pursues the enchanting Lauretta until he cracks the walls that circumstances have erected around her. But just when Lauretta begins to put her hope in the redemptive power of Julius’ love, the glimmer on the horizon is blighted by an old flame from his own equally unsavoury past flickering to life and casting shadows on the future they have dared to believe in.
Will Julius succumb to the frailty of human nature? Will they ever be together or will their future be destroyed by the evil threatening within and without him? Will he listen to the counsel of friends or lean to the promptings of his heart? In the end, will Julius go the way of others?
SHADOWS AND NOTHINGS is a rousing romance experience narrated in such elegant language as will keep the reader captivated till the end of the book.
- Editor:
- Alphikka Technologies
- Lansat:
- Sep 27, 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780463068694
- Format:
- Carte
Despre autor
Tony Felix Nwaka is a Nigerian writer and public policy consultant. He has held various positions in the public service of Delta State of Nigeria. He studied History at the University of Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe University. He is also the author of ‘Lords of the Creek.’ Tony lives with his family in Asaba, Delta State of Nigeria.
Legat de Shadows And Nothings
Mostră carte
Shadows And Nothings - Tony Nwaka
SHADOWS AND NOTHINGS
BY
TONY NWAKA
Kraftgriots
Also in the series (FICTION)
Funmilayo Adegbite: Bonds of Destiny
Frank U. Mowah: Eating by the Flesh
David Adenaike: The Mystery Child
Olu Obafemi: Wheels
Babatunde Omobowale: Seasons of Rage
Florence Attamah: Melodies of a Dashed Dream
Ifeoma Nwoye: Death by Instalments
Uche Nwabunike: Forever She Cried
Clement Idegwu: Broken Dreams (2000)
Vincent Egbuson: Moniseks Country (2001)
Vincent Egbuson: A Poet is a Man (2001)
Benedict Ibitokun: Sopaisan: Westing Oodua (2002)
Vincent Egbuson: Love is not Dead (2002)
Tayo Olafioye: Grandma’s Sun (2004)
Ikechukwu Kalikwu: The Voice from the Grave (2005)
Wale Okediran: The Weaving Looms (2005)
Richard Maduku: Arigo Again! (2006)
Vincent Egbuson: Womandela (2006), winner 2006 ANA/NDDC Ken Saro-Wiwa prose
prize
Abubakar Gimba: Trail of Sacrifice (2006)
Abubakar Gimba: Innocent Victims (2006)
Richard Ovuorho: My Grandfather (2007)
Abubakar Gimba: Witnesses to Tears (2007)
Abraham Nnadi: Not by Justtification (2008)
Majovo Amarie: Suspended Destiny (2008)
Abimbola Adelakun: Under the Brown Rusted Roofs (2008)
Richard Masagbor: Labyrinths of a Beauty (2008)
Kayode Animasaun: A Gift for the Corper (2008)
Liwhu Betiang: Beneath the Rubble (2009)
Vincent Egbuson: Love My Planet (2009), winner 2008 ANA/NDDC Ken Saro-Wiwa
prose prize
Richard Maduku: Kokoro Compound (2009)
Ted Elemeforo: Child of Destiny (2009)
Yahaya Dangana: Blow of Fate (2009)
Jonathan E. Ifeanyi: The Campus Genius (2009)
Kayode Animasaun: Perambulators (2010)
Ozioma Izuora: Dreams Deferred (2010), winner 2009 ANA/NDDC Ken Saro-Wiwa
Prose Prize
Victor Akande: A Palace for the Slave (2010)
E.L. Agukwe: A Tale of Trioubaz (2011)
Chris Okonta: Trampled Rose (2011)
Bolade Bamidele: Wits Battle of Awareness (2011)
Sam Omatseye: The Crocodile Girl (2011)
Ozioma Izuora: Scavengers’ Orgy (2011)
Ifeoma Chinwuba: Merchants of Flesh (2011)
Published by
Kraft Books Limited
6A Polytechnic Road, Sango, Ibadan
Box 22084, University of Ibadan Post Office
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
+234(0)803 348 2474, +234(0)805 129 1191 +234 (0)803 350 9421, +234 (0)905 723 9357
E-mail: kraftbooks@yahoo.com; kraftbookslimited@gmail.com Website: www.kraftbookslimited.com
© Tony Nwaka, 2019
First published 2019
Smashwords Edition
ISBN: 9780463068694
= KRAFTGRIOTS =
(A literary imprint of Kraft Books Limited)
All Rights Reserved
First printing, November 2019
TABLE OF CONTENT
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
Dedication
To Francis, my dear father, who had them and counseled me accordingly.
Prologue
25th Dec, 2016.
Ontario,
Canada.
Dear Julius,
Compliments of the season. I want to believe that, by God’s sufficiency, you are doing well. Let me apologise that you haven’t heard from me all these months and, also, seek your patient indulgence to read through this message.
I know how bitterly disappointed you must have felt seeing our relationship collapse in the manner it did. Yes, I understand. That is the reason I haven’t communicated with you. I imagined that whatever I said in the circumstance may just end up worsening the situation. But I have elected to write at this moment because I assume that time would have tempered the bitter feelings which resulted from the sudden evaporation of the dream we once shared.
While I agree that you are at liberty to draw whatever conclusions you deem appropriate, permit me to say that, as a woman, there were minimum grounds beyond which I could no longer hold realistic visions of our marital expectations. In as much as I concede that we were looking forward to a happy future, the reality of your modest station at the time was such that did not bear much prospects for the envisioned future. I was therefore left with no option but to seize the opportunity presented in the hour and face a direction that gave a practical and reasonable expression to my matrimonial desires.
I accept that I did not exercise good judgment by keeping you in the dark about my intention. Yes, it really was improper that you had to hear of it from a secondary source. I am sorry. You may wish to know that I originally didn’t set out to shut you out of such a momentous decision. The truth is, I did not know how you would react to the break-up. I feared your response might verge on violence. Probably, if I had given further reflection to the idea, I might have taken the bold step of bringing the plan to your knowledge. But, as they say, no one ever knows it all.
In any case, I am inclined to believe you have adjusted to the reality of the situation, just as I long have. Please do not take the disappointment personally. I pray that, in no distant time, you will find a woman who will be suitable to your sensibilities and situation.
Thank you, Julius. Goodbye and best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Evelyn.
Chapter One
Remember, the dress code is wine and peach.
Oh c’mon, how could I forget that? I’m dressed up in it already.
Great! I guess you are on your way now?
Not exactly, but I’ll be with you soon.
"Arrhh! You mean you’re still in the house at this time? Look, my friend, you just—"
Relax, my guy. It’s okay. I’ll be there sooner than you think.
All right! Just come a minute late and see what I’ll do to you.
Julius imagined that Edobor must have stolen out of church to remind him of the reception. Indeed, the church service would be rounding off at this time. Barring any traffic jam this Saturday, it would take about an hour for Julius to drive from his Ikeja residence to Magnum Events Centre on Admiralty Way, Lekki. He slipped into his black shoe, strapped on his wristwatch, and began to make for the door. Ette, his teenage steward—short and thick-set, always with a smile on his face—hurried after him, clutching a white polythene bag.
Julius figured he would be at the venue right on time. But again, that was hoping it did not rain. The Lagos traffic on a rainy day came with its own headache. He worried about the darkened sky—it had been hanging over the city for much of the morning. It’d been an April of heavy downpour.
If Edobor was not his friend and colleague, Julius’s Saturday morning would have been engaged at the gym in the National Stadium. He would have returned there later in the evening to watch a football match. Edobor knew that Julius did not attend marriage ceremonies. But this was the wedding of Edobor’s sister. Even Julius himself acknowledged that this was a special day, the reason he struck a compromise with Edobor: He would not attend the holy solemnisation which began at 10:00 a.m. at the Catholic church, still in Lekki. He’d only be at the reception that would come almost immediately after the service at Magnum Events Centre which was opposite the church. Now he realised happily that if he sped up the Honda Accord, he could even meet them in the photograph session.
He got in his black Accord, waved back at Ette, and started to make his way out of the estate. He could not hold back the smiles as he caught another glimpse of the wedding card and gift pack in the bag Ette had placed on the passenger’s front seat. From the way Edobor had sounded on phone twenty minutes ago, he seemed not fully convinced that Julius would be present at the event. He could imagine the satisfied glow that would spread across Edobor’s face on beholding, not just him, but also, the wedding gift of a Samsung DVD player.
Quickly, he negotiated into the service lane leading to Awolowo Road and sped on toward Alausa. In no time, he had linked with the speedy traffic flowing into Lagos from the Shagamu end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Some kilometres down the road, he took a detour, peeked into the mirrors and, satisfied there were no Road Safety officials around, stamped on the accelerator and sent the car whistling through the Third Mainland Bridge.
Although Julius was not excited by weddings, sometimes, in his free time, he often occupied himself with the event. But that was on television. It was all the wedding he could take. It was not like he did not believe in the formal union of man and woman. He did. But, on such occasions, he’d rather send his presents than give his presence. The truth was, he just wasn’t a party person and he would rather not be at marriage ceremonies. This was the first he would be attending in 2019. He never hesitated to complain that the atmosphere of weddings was overly cosmetic and somewhat boring, more so when he had to stay through the occasion. But this day was different. It was the wedding of Edobor’s younger sister.
* * * * * *
It was 1:30 p.m. Julius chuckled at how swiftly the weather was brightening up. He careened off the Epe Expressway and entered Lekki Phase 1. He sighted the massive gate of the events’ centre some three hundred metres away as he drove past the many eateries and duplexes on both sides of Admiralty Road. The halogen lights atop the two huge pillars of the centre’s gate were blazing in the noon sun. He wondered if the lights had been kept on as part of the dazzle of the ceremony or the management of the centre simply forgot to turn off the supposed security fittings.
The bridal train was just gliding into the reception ground when he arrived. The Mercedes E280 glistened in the rays of the sun even as pink and velvet ribbons, flowers and adhesive tapes fluttered about the vehicle. Honestly, if not that Edobor had told him his other car would be conveying the bride and groom, he would not have recognised the brown Mercedes underneath the elaborate decorations. In any case, he was happy he got there right on time. Though he had narrowly missed out on the photography session with the couple, that aspect of the programme wasn’t really in his original plan. It would have been more like a bonus. But it was okay. They were all there now. There surely would be plenty photo shots at the reception ground.
The usual jubilant crowd was beginning to build up at the place. Colourfully-dressed guests emerged from their gleaming cars and SUVs, streaming toward the white auditorium that stood further down the right side of the car park. Julius tucked his car in the free space between a blue BMW X5 and a white Toyota Hilux. He reached for the gift-wrapped Samsung DVD player but it occurred to him he should leave it in the car until it was time for presentation of gifts. Indeed, he really didn’t need to be carrying a gift bag around the hall. So, he took only the invitation card and started to amble toward the building.
Most of the crowd was dressed in traditional attire but Julius’s French suit melted perfectly into the sea of wine and peach colours.
Oh! Look who’s here!
Julius swung his gaze to the right. Mr. Adebayo was swaggering toward him. He was a hefty, fair-skinned man with a broad nose that was smoothly etched on a square face.
Good afternoon, sir,
Julius said.
How are you doing, Julius? How come I didn’t sight you in church?
Mr. Adebayo asked. His voice was deep and authoritative.
I’m fine, sir. I couldn’t make it to the church. I’m just coming in.
Okay.
Mr. Adebayo was Edobor’s immediate superior at work. They were all staff of Gramond Brewery in Akoka, but Julius worked in the personnel section while Edobor was the assistant manager to Mr. Adebayo in the quality control department of the company. A middle-aged man of impressive sartorial tastes, Mr. Adebayo looked more stunning today in his wine-coloured attire. The flowery green embroidery on his aso-oke cap and agbada clearly stood him out of the crowd.
Julius shuffled in his direction so he could fall in step with him. How’s the family, sir?
he asked, bowing respectfully.
Oh, yeah. They’re good. We give glory to God,
Mr. Adebayo said and extended his hand. Julius clutched it humbly with both hands. He was encircled by the strong musky scent of Mr. Adebayo’s fragrance.
You’re welcome, sir.
Julius, I hope the next wedding I’ll be attending will be yours or Edobor’s.
Julius laughed out loud. God willing, sir.
It’s all right. I believe God will give a quick answer to that,
Mr. Adebayo said teasingly.
For a moment Julius wondered why Mr. Adebayo would always raise the issue of his bachelorhood when he was just thirty-five years old. After all, there were many of his older colleagues who were still enjoying their single status. Times were changing. A man really shouldn’t be put under pressure to get married, he mused.
They began to drift toward the hall. An uproarious laughter drew their attention to four men in a hearty discussion on the far left of the porch. One was dressed in peach agbada while the other three wore wine-coloured buba and sokoto. The fat one in a dark hat and buba was gesturing as though swearing to the heavens about the truth of his argument, while the other three appeared unconvinced. Some other people, a few of them in suits, stood about the front steps of the building conversing. Julius and Mr. Adebayo ascended the stairs, heading toward the first of the two wide-open doors leading into the auditorium.
Thank you, sir. You’re welcome, sir!
Edobor’s voice rang out. Julius looked around and saw that Edobor had emerged from the building and was descending toward him and Mr. Adebayo, beaming in the jolliest countenance that Julius had ever seen on him. He couldn’t know for how long Edobor had been standing by the doorway expecting their arrival, or maybe he should say, expecting the arrival of his boss, but he clearly was bubbling with excitement in his wine suit over a peach shirt and dark tie— a combination that seemed to align well with his dark skin. You guys have really tried today,
Mr. Adebayo said and took in a view of the arena.
Oh, thank you, sir,
Edobor replied, bowing loyally. He turned to Julius. You know I would have chopped off your head if you didn’t come.
Julius laughed.
Julius could only imagine how much Edobor had been on his feet shuttling about the place to ensure everything went fine. Ordinarily, for a six-footer in his mid-thirties, that wouldn’t be much of an effort. But because Edobor hadn’t been showing much determination to keep in shape, he’d gone on the bulky side. Today’s unaccustomed toil would be somewhat exhausting for him. Julius watched as Edobor took out a white handkerchief from his suit pocket to wipe the blobs of sweat on his forehead.
After they’d had a peculiarly warm banter, Edobor led Julius and Adebayo into the chandelier-lit hall where young ladies in body-hugging peach gowns were ushering guests to their designated tables. A flurry of multi-coloured rays from revolving stage lights flashed across the place, while the melodious voice of Luther Vandross filtered from the acoustics. Balloons of various shades swayed on both sides of the aisle even as orange and blue fabrics draped across the hall from the four edges of the ceiling.
Julius brushed past one of the round tables that were all covered in white silk cloth; they were set to seat about seven guests each. Assorted drinks, fresh fruits and small chops on broad stainless steel plates had taken up a large portion of the tables. Julius could see many of the guests shifting and adjusting the items on the tables so they could place their phones and handbags. Edobor pulled out a chair from the first row of tables and asked Julius to take the seat. Two other guests were already seated at the table. They all exchanged hospitable glances and muffled greetings as Julius settled into the seat.
I’ll be with you shortly,
Edobor whispered to Julius and quickly turned to Mr. Adebayo. He led the brewery boss to the high table where his parents were seated and ushered him to the chair reserved for chairman of the occasion. A few metres away towered the yellowish-brown wedding cake, a massive four-foot structure reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower.
Julius surveyed the place. About a hundred people were in the gathering. Amidst the flush of peach and wine was a significant sprinkling of other colours. The few empty chairs were beginning to fill up as more guests strolled into the hall hugging and back-patting. Then he rose and hastened to the high table to greet Edobor’s parents and the other guests that were seated with them. Briskly, he shuttled back to his seat and began to flip through the programme of events on the table.
Although Julius had had a breakfast of oats, boiled egg, and toast bread before leaving the house, the strong aroma of freshly-made delicacies drew his attention to the buffet table a few metres behind his seat. An elderly, bald-headed man and three ladies in white catering attires busied themselves arranging cutlery and plates around pans and dishes covered in aluminium foil. The man’s seamless command of the table suggested that he was a veteran of the kitchens.
For some time, Julius tapped his foot to the music filtering across the place and watched as more guests sauntered in and settled into their seats. Then he saw Edobor walk toward a group of four ladies and a young man chatting by a small door on the left flank of the hall. Beside them was another buffet table, though not as large as that behind Julius. Julius recognised Edobor’s sister, Ameze, who was gesturing joyfully among the ladies. She was the twin sister of Esosa, the bride. She always had a smile on her face that seemed to give her a permanently cheerful countenance. Julius had seen her earlier when she went to the high table to greet and welcome Mr. Adebayo. But she was now standing by the other ladies and they all seemed to be engaged in a hushed argument which Julius suspected was about the ideal moment the new couple should be ushered into the hall.
Moments later, his gaze picked another set of seated guests just by the table next to Edobor and his group. They were about five ladies. But there was one that caught Julius’s attention—the young lady seated in the midst of the team.
Possibly in her late twenties, chocolate-skinned and wearing long braids, she had a charm that seemed to defy definition. Everyone at the table was dressed in a blouse or gown of same shade of peach and wine, but her beauty and graceful demeanour could be spotted from a mile away. Julius sat up to get a better view of her but his view was obstructed by one of the ushers who was leading another guest to his table.
He hastily acknowledged the greetings from the new guest at his table and moved a little so the man could be properly seated.
Hello, you must be the famous Dr. Kunle Awomolo,
the man said, smiling enthusiastically at Julius.
Julius looked at the skinny man, befuddled. How much he detested the sudden distraction. The man’s aged and worn blue suit, the hair parted at the centre of his head, the sunken cheeks and the shrinking dark skin contrasted sharply with the bonny air in the hall.
Sorry, I’m sure you’re mistaking me for someone else,
Julius replied dismissively and cast another furtive glance in the direction of the lady that had arrested his attention.
Oh, pardon me. But you really look alike. You’re exactly like his image which I’ve been seeing in the media. I’m Engineer Badiya.
Yes, I’ve heard that many times.
Julius gave a forced smile. I take it as a compliment though that I can easily pass for the renowned surgeon.
Engr. Badiya let out a loud laugh. Definitely! Yes, you two really look alike, I must tell you.
You’re welcome, sir. By the way, I’m Julius Bassey,
Julius said with diminished interest, hoping the man would abort the introductions at that point.
The man was about to speak but the loud voice of the master of ceremonies boomed out, requesting that everyone stand to welcome the latest husband and wife. Julius seized the opportunity of the momentary shoving and shifting at the tables to break his conversation with Engr. Badiya.
Julius attempted another glance at his object of admiration, but she was gone. Only two ladies cooling themselves with white hand fans were left at her table. His heart skipped. Luckily, she had not gone far. He could see her and another lady shuffle toward the entrance where all attention was focused in anticipation of the bridal procession. Now he was able to behold the full stature of the strange lady. Although he could only see her back view, he could see that she was tall and exquisitely shaped. Even her steps were ordered with a touch of finesse. She had to be a model. But where could she be off to? Could she be going to join the horde that was dancing with the new couple to the bridal seat? Suddenly she went out of view again as the throng began to mass through the aisle. I can see you’re enjoying the show,
Edobor’s voice jolted Julius from his contemplation.
Yeah, yeah! I love it,
Julius retorted, almost impulsively. He turned to Edobor with a grin.
The dance train was approaching them. It was just about ten steps away. He didn’t want to let Edobor in on his thoughts, especially as he had long created the impression that he was not fascinated by such assemblies as this. So he pretended to be absorbed by the procession, while subtly craning his neck to catch a glimpse of the astonishing lady.
Esosa and her husband were now dancing past his table, with the bridesmaids and groomsmen in tow. Julius and Edobor waved at the couple and paced toward the aisle amidst floating foams of confetti. The trail had started to widen as more guests left their tables to join the train. Julius kept casting backward glances to see if he could behold, once again, the beautiful figure that had set his heart on fire.
The music had subsided, the newly-wed had settled in their seats, and guests were beginning to return to their tables when the lady came into view again. This time she was standing just two people away from Julius, her full physique in clear view. Her nose was slim and pointed. A lushly deep red adorned her thick lips and her curvy brows were set in perfect harmony with the million braids that swished around her shoulders. This was beauty at its sublime best.
The lady smiled at him and breezed past, and there was something about the smile. She appeared rather friendly, and her looks soothing. He imagined that she may have noticed his interest in her. She had gone a few metres before he realised he had been rooted to the spot. He thanked God for the multitude that was massing about the place. His momentary disorientation had been concealed by the crowd. He flashed a glance around. Edobor had gone off again. Julius started to make his way back to his table.
All through the ceremony Julius stole glances the lady’s way, hoping to catch her attention one more time. But she never looked in his direction. He began to suspect that he may have misread her polite response to his stare at the aisle. Even when he went for his meal at the buffet point and returned to his table, he tried to put up his best culinary manners. Yet, she appeared fully engaged with the other guests at her table, completely unaware of his niceties.
The shattering of broken glass drew Julius’s attention to the far left of the auditorium. All eyes swivelled in that direction. Edobor was moving toward the scene of the mishap. He had been on his feet ever since the event began, shuttling from table to table. It wasn’t long before Edobor quelled the tension that had built up around the scene of the broken
Ați ajuns la finalul acestei mostre. Înregistrați-vă pentru a citi mai mult!
Pagina 1 din 1
Recenzii
Recenzii
Ce cred oamenii despre Shadows And Nothings
0Evaluare: 0 din 5 stele
0 evaluări / 0 recenzii
Ce părere aveți?
Evaluare: din 5 stele