The old man was looking very dejected. He wasn't exactly old. I would guess him to be in his late forties if asked his age, he approached me rather in slow motion and if not for courtesy sake, I would have just ignored him.
'Good day Sir' I finally greeted him when he got closer.
'My dear, how are you?'
'Fine sir' I replied. To avoid wasting time I asked immediately, 'is there a problem sir?'
I didn't know what exactly to expect as an answer, but just then he spoke
'I'm looking for an apartment. For months now I have been on the search all to no avail, the ones house agents have been showing me is more than I can afford. My land lady would have long kicked me out if not because of God and much plea as my rent has long expired. Please my dear do you know of any vacant apartment, at least let me check if I'll be able to afford it?'.
It was as if he was almost in tears, immediately my near arrogance turned to sympathy.
'You mean people still go through this ordeal?' I thought within myself.
'Sorry sir' I said compassionately. 'I think I can help you, but I just hope the help lasts long' I continued.
'What do you mean last long?' he asked as if frustrated.
'Let's walk down sir, I'll explain as we go on'
I began to tell the man the story I was able to gather all the while I've been living in the area.
'The house is actually the last one down the road, its a bungalow building but a combination of two flats. For a long time I'll say five years, more than 10 occupants have stayed and left, so its just the landlord and his wife and two teenagers left.
'Why? The man asked.
'We can't exactly tell', I continued. 'Those who lived in there hardly give us the full story when they come out. For a while, I heard it's because the wife of the owner is very wicked, then i also I heard that weird things happen there at night'.
'Ha!!!' The elderly man screamed and automatically stopped walking.
'Abeg oga, I'm in a hurry o, let's keep walking, we'll soon get there'.
At that the man moved on but his face still carried the shock.
'Sorry my dear', he said apologetically.
'As I was saying, I can't tell which of the story is true but I've been there a couple of times on an errand by my father and found nothing suspicious, though I've never been there at night. Believe me, they seem nice people, but you never can tell you know'
'Here's the place', I pointed to the white gate as we reached the house of the Folade's. It looked beautiful when you looked from outside, 'that's only the outside 'I reminded myself.
'Thank you' the man said coolly, his face wasn't looking as dejected as it was when I first saw him.
'I'll leave now. I wish you the best', I said as I walked away, leaving him to himself,' what will be his decision, given this story I just gave him?', I thought to myself in pity for his situation.
*********************
'Mum, I'm out' I called as I hurried out of the gate. 'I must meet Uju in her house today, I said to myself. Just as I stepped out of the gate I heard a voice few steps beside me saying
'hello!!' On turning, I saw a familiar face. The same stranger I had given the ancient story of the Folade's house to. He was full of smiles and this time was looking very well. He wasn't alone, looking at the woman by his side, you could tell that it was his wife.
With much surprise in my eyes I spoke at once
'Good day Sir, its nice to see you. This one you are around the area, does it mean what I think it is?'
'Oh yes,exactly what you think. I moved into the Folade's vacant apartment', Meet my wife by the way,' he said.
'Good day ma, I quickly greeted. Please I'll really love to hear your turn around story if you don't mind, I said.
'But we have to keep moving, I added. I'm in a hurry.
'Always in a hurry', the man said laughing.
'No problem, we are as well heading to the junction to get some things from Mama Chike's super market'.
That was the biggest and well stocked super market in my area.
'After you left me with the awful story', he began
'I still had to go and see things for myself given how desperate I was. As I got into the compound, I met both the man and his wife and shared my story with them. They were really sympathetic and immediately told me to move in. When I asked the cost, I was surprised to hear an amount half what I had been paying for years where I was living. To clear the air I told them what I learnt about people not staying long with them. My dear you won't believe what I heard from the horses mouth'. He fell silent.
'Please go ahead sir', I pleaded, 'remember I said I was in a hurry'
.
'My daughter, the truth is they had a strict tenant policy. Whenever they discovered any violation, they would refund what's left of the rent and send such tenants packing. Too bad, the number has been increasing'.
' Ehen??? 'what sort of policy is that?' I couldn't help but ask.
'Its simple,' he continued, 'Non acceptance of Pagans or Pigs. You can imagine people went as far as lying that they were christians, but you know its impossible to keep that lie for long. I am glad I'm not just a christian but by God's grace I'm a lover of cleanliness too. Nothing will make me leave there until God says its time. So that is it oo my dear'. He said on a final note
'Unbelievable!!' I screamed.
This time I was the one left standing in surprise.
'I'll see you around,' I heard him say as he left with his wife.
'And hope when next we meet you won't be in a hurry?' He laughed.
THE END...
Hope you enjoyed it guys?
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
