shades of lust

In front of an uncompleted one storey
building, stood a boy of about twenty
three years old. He was standing in
front of a fresh grave, holding a candle
with his right hand as tears fell from
his eyes.
—————————————————————
My name is Jude Ibeh, a half Nigerian,
and half American. Yes I used the term
because my mother was a white
American while my father was a
Nigerian, however I never got to know
my mum because she died when I was
two years old leaving me solely under
my dad’s care who did a good job
raising me up. All I inherited from my
mother was her skin color and smile.
I grew to love my dad with all my heart
even though we disagreed on many
things because he was so traditional
and had a sort of old school mentality.
He believed a lot in tradition and
wanted me to accept all his beliefs
which never went down well with me.
I was forced to return to Nigerian for
my university education after high
school without caring for my feelings.
Yes Nigeria is a great country but the
temperature, attitude of the people and
everything about the country never
suited my lifestyle.
I was admitted into Imo state university
to study industrial chemistry and it
really was hell for me. The lecture rush,
the intonation of lecturers, the
overcrowding of lecture halls, the noise
and the struggles really left a sore taste
in my mouth. I simply managed to pass
over to my second year with lots of
carryovers and yes the second year was
equally stressful but much better
because I was slowly adapting much to
my dad’s pleasure.
But on my third year when I was finally
about becoming a full time Igbo boy,
my dad left me all alone in the world.
He returned to Nigeria on March 1st
2012 for a little business but never
lived to see the next day. You can’t
imagine the shock I had when I got a
call from one of my uncles that my
father was dead. That he died in his
sleep.
I simply couldn’t believe my ears. It
sounded so unreal and unbelievable but
on getting home I found out that the
only person I had in the world was
gone. My life instantly came to a
standstill. I just felt like killing myself
and leaving the world as well.
—————————————————————
My dad’s burial was quickly organized
by my uncles who didn’t give me any
say in the matter since I wasn’t yet
recognized as a man. I knew my dad
was murdered but I had no evidence. I
had no money. I equally wasn’t *man
enough* to challenge anyone.
I simply was in a tight corner and all I
did was observe and cry out my heart.
——
After the burial, I was left all alone to
manage and cater for myself. I just
didn’t know what to think or where to
start reorganizing my life. I wasn’t
good at any type of hustling. Menial
jobs just weren’t for me and my uncles
never seemed to care.
My dad equally never left much for me
apart from the uncompleted building at
home and the little he had left in his
bank account after the burial
ceremony.
———————————————————
As I stood before my father’s grave,
crying out my heart. I was at lost. I was
so empty and alone. I never knew life
could be so difficult and mean. I badly
had the urge to abandon my studies
and return to America but none of the
options before me looked easy.
I felt a strong hand land on my
shoulder. I turned to see one of my
senior cousins smiling at me. I looked
at him and swallowed hard. Kelvin was
the only person who cared of my well-
being during the course of my father’s
burial but then his father was equally
one of my uncles that I was suspecting
over my father’s strange death which
made me not to trust his kind gestures
towards me.
Kelvin was around twenty eight years
old. He looked quite rich and had two
expensive cars that rolled people’s eyes
but then no one could say exactly the
business he was into and he never
cared what people felt about his source
of wealth.
‘’I know how you feel right now. I know
you think the world is nothing but hell.
I’m here to help you. I’m here to turn
you into something you never imagined
you would be. Stop crying for your
dad. He is already done. It’s now left
for you to continue his legacy. You are
going back with me to the city and I
will teach you how to survive in a
Nigerian way.’’ He said with a smile
while I curiously stared at him a bit
confused over his words.
‘’How to survive in a Nigerian way’’ I
muttered over and over to myself as I
stared at him.
To be continued

Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’are you for real?’’ I asked breathlessly as a new
kind of relief filled my entire being. I wasn’t
expecting such generosity. It really came as a great
surprise to me.
‘’we will leave for the city in two days. You will
stay with me until you get your spirit back’’ he
answered, tapped my shoulder and left with a
smile. And that was how I became very close to
Kelvin.
We left the village two days later and headed to his
house as he promised. He owned a very cute
bungalow, well furnished and designed with
superior taste.
‘’this is my house. I pay no rent to anyone’’ he
revealed as we walked into the plush apartment,
leaving me gasping with disbelief as I imagined
how much he’s worth.
‘’this is not only my home but yours as well. In no
time you will understand a lot. You will get
answers to the questions I know running through
your young mind’’ he said with a savvy smile. I
shrugged and smiled at him.
Kelvin’s side of the story
My uncle’s death really came as a great blow to
me. He was the only uncle that encouraged and
regularly sent me money when I dropped out of
school due to my stupidity years ago.
Before his death, he confided in me that he
planned returning permanently to Nigeria to run a
business. He never told me the details of the
business or who was helping him with it. Hence
my great surprise to learn of his death, just a day
after his arrival to the country.
Yes it definitely looked like murder to me even
though the medical report obtained said he died
of natural causes. I was just so helpless and
couldn’t do a thing than to observe as my father
and uncles speedily buried the unfortunate man,
leaving his young son who really didn’t know
much about life or Nigeria to fend on his own.
Jude was more of an American than a Nigerian.
The color of his skin, his voice, his behavior, the
way he walked and everything about him was just
American. I took pity on him and had to offer him
a life even though what I was offering was a life of
crime but then with it he could maintain his rich
lifestyle, finish his education and be a good man.
So what exactly do I mean by a life of crime??
Hmmmm
Yes having dropped out of school, my parents
cursed and left me on my own. I had to survive. I
had to do everything to make money and of
course I succeeded.
I had to join some friends in yahoo scam, we lied,
we duped, we robbed unfortunate victims but it
never stopped there. We upgraded to kidnapping
and oil theft. In two years I had a house in Owerri
where I based, plus a very fat bank account. The
easiest way to make real money was through
crime but it equally was the easiest to die.
Young Jude had the looks, the charms and the
brain for business. Everything about him was good
for business and as his new guardian, my job was
to take care of him and help him to the top via
any means.
Nevertheless I still had my doubts. Jude looked so
tender and gentle. Somehow I was scared if he
could really live up to expectation.
—————————————————————————
HOURS LATER;
Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’Thanks Kelvin for everything. You are the last
person I expected to help me’’ I said to him with a
heart filled with gratitude as we enjoyed an
evening meal in a very plush fast food joint. He
smiled and nodded.
‘’so tell me, are you a virgin?’’ he suddenly asked,
leaving me totally embarrassed. I almost choked
with embarrassment.
‘’come on be free with me” he urged with a short
laugh. I shrugged with hesitation as my school life
flashed back to my head. I never had a girlfriend
but my affluent lifestyle and look really left a
dozen girls on my speed dial.
‘’no, I’m no virgin’’ I stammered softly. He laughed
and offered his hand for a handshake.
‘’that’s good’’ he surprisingly said, leaving me
wondering what he asked the uncomfortable
question for.
I had my doubts about Kelvin but he was a very
likeable parson and the only one that offered me
what no one else cared to offer me. I had to be
strong and focused to survive and dig out those
behind my father’s death.
To be continued