Fellow nairalanders, this is another short story from sidophilic. Just as expected, it is very interesting. it is............... let me leave the rest for you all to decide.
pleaaaaaase, don't just read like you did for 'why not me?' o. please this time comment. yarb me if you have to. *winks*
Thanks
Synopsis: Slow and steady wins the race. The quest for the top made me so careless. I regret every step I took there. Too bad I am a litmus test for the nation's political resurrection. It's apparently not just that, it's karma at it's best.

A cold day in hell
'You are hereby sentenced to death by hanging until you become lifeless.'
I couldn't believe my hears as the Judge rose after delivering that shocker of a judgement. Was that actually the beginning of the end of Kola? Is this exactly how the designs of Karma locate its victim? Could this actually be the manifestation of Lynda's prediction-cum-advice? These and many more were the questions that flew through my mind in that courtroom. I almost collapsed when I looked into the eyes of the condemned. Technically, in days, I will be left with no child to inherit all I've laboured so hard to acquire. That never-do- well I mistakenly named Bamidele has no character whatsoever to justify such beautiful name. I'm always skeptical about the faithfulness of his mother each time I see him. All social vices were his stock in trade and I still find it difficult, up to this my moment of despair, how he could have come from the same womb as Kolawole. Sure as hell, the weather out there is cold, given the frequency with which the breeze raises the curtain, but all I can feel right now at the early hours of the day is heat. The air conditioner had failed to condition that heat that comes from within. Of course, it would only try. The bitter truth is; refrigerating me would not remove the heat because my flesh is not the source of the fire, my soul and blood were the invisible source.
It's quite unbelievable that Gbemisola would one day rule against me. I've never in my entire life given it a thought thay my puppet would someday fear someone or something greater than me. Do I really blame her? Of course not. I have had it rosy a long time and my romance with the law had always left my cheeks swollen with goodies, but that ended several hours ago. Justice Gbemisola, the Judge presiding over Kola's case enjoyed my support before becoming the chief Judge. My political influence in the state was all she needed to trounce her fellow contestants. Being the only female, among other things, the odds were against her, yet she emerged. Since she is nothing but a pencil in my hand, Bamidele got discharged and acquitted when he committed an obvious murder. 'Dele stabbed the son of a nobody in the night club, right in the presence of several eye witnesses but Gbemisola, against all odds ruled in my favour, though to the disgust of the press. The newspapers for weeks lamented the injustice but the deed is done already. I regret ever making that effort in favour of Bamidele because a day hardly pass without that bastard dragging my name in the mud. I know why Kolawole was unlucky to be given death sentence but one question that remain unanswered is why Bamidele turned out to be almost useless. Maybe I was only living in denial. Still Karma, I guess.
In human life, there are some people we wish we had not met because they do not leave our life peacefully. They live after a battle and such battle mostly end leaving behind indelible perception that might be more potent than they appear. Regret, they say, does not precede an ordeal, it comes last. I wish I didn't allow her to get under my skin that day. If only I wasn' t desperate!
I sincerely wish I never met Lucy in my life. At the beginning, I thought I have her to thank for everything, but now it's so obvious my actions were purely ill-advised. I met Lucy when I was in primary school. We also attended the same secondary school. We were good friends and I developed feelings for her in the process. I never had the gut to

once more, your comments will be appreciated

ask her out once even after the SSCE.
In the late 90s, I gained admission into the polytechnic and bagged a prestigious HND (Higher National Diploma). With the kind of confidence a tertiary education gives its custodian, I approached Lucy (who still helps her mum at the beer restaurant then) and I told her how I felt about her. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my left palm in order to be sure I wasn't dreaming, after Lucy's response. 'So, it is true that something good could also be desired by an indolent pauper like you. Let me advice you, go and make enough money before you begin to run after the good things of life.' She said, shouting on top of her voice. She had hardly completed the statement when she left me on the spot. I had just graduated then and I was confident I would get a good job. Lucy' s word was like an eye opener. I took every available job and I was determined to make it at all cost. I was returning from my teaching job one day, when I ran into an old friend. After speaking for a while, he informed me that there is an offer that comes with unimaginable renumeration and without asking for details, I told him I was in. I was made to take an oath of secrecy before my first assignment. At that point I knew whatever I would be doing won't be as simple as I have earlier anticipated. My first assignment was to deliver a package at a particular location. 'No question is to be asked. The content is not your concern'. These were the two guiding principles and of course, the less you know the better.
As I go deeper every day, Sister Lynda's words of advice keep ringing in my head. 'You are an adult. You can now separate the good from bad. The day you come across something your instinct tells you would harm a fellow human being, take to your heals. Karma never dies, it slumbers.'
I continued with my shady job and in no time I was at the top cadre in the ministry of Justice, thanks to my boss's influence. Being relevant in the state' s politics was a piece of cake. I effortlessly became the speaker of the state's house of assembly even though I had to decamp to the ruling party after my tenure. Every other politician, like myself move with the tide. No one wants to travel in the sinking boat, if you ask me. My efforts at returning the present governor in the state was well known to all and sundry. In fact, after the presidential election, the big-wigs of my party backed me for a ministerial appointment and I have no modicum of doubt it's a done deal - compensation for my contributions to the actualisation of the CHANGE I never stood for in my previous party.
During the electioneering campaign, the word 'CHANGE' saturated the air and I thought our plot to fool Nigerians had worked. I thought the change will never come to live. I thought it could only be imagined. The Vice President once said while granting an interview that the nation' s judiciary will witness a revamping like never before, but I only smiled in doubt. ' If you happen to be elected, sir. Would you watch a relative face judgement given the social stance of issues like this?', the journalist had asked that day. 'That is why we stand for change. No sentiment is allowed in law. Even if my own son is culpable, he has to face the sonorous music of the law. If you have once seen a law emblem, you will agree with me that it is expected to be blind to status. Wole, 'change' is going to be a clear departure from the usual business of government.' the Vice President had said that day.
It was late before I realised I am nothing short of a litmus test for CHANGE. The media

did not help matters as the headline had been all about Kola Arigbabuwo's murder case. This, I presume made it difficult for the president and the governor to interfere. Gbemisola on the other hand was taking her time this time around because it appears the National Judicial Council (NJC) is interested in the case. Any suspicious judgement would definitely spell doom for her. The deep sigh she gave after the judgement was an evidence that her hands were tied.
I strongly believe Kola did not perpetrate the said murder. I know he didn't kill his colleague. He was framed and whoever did it did a perfect job. The dead body of his personal assistant was found in his hotel room shortly after he checked out. The CCTV camera did not pick up any feed that suggests he was framed. The best lawyer in the world would surely have a hard time proving his innocence. I tried asking him if he actually did it but all he could tell me was he was framed. He made it clear he couldn't have emerged as the M.D of the branch of the bank where he worked if not for a personal relationship he had with the daughter of the C.E.O. He was made the M.D above some of his superiors who were not so happy with the development. His story was actually reasonable but the issue is; it's nothing but a cock and bull story in the face of the law, since there is no proof. This is 2032 and I don't think much has changed about the law.

The lawyer actually tried his best, but when the good lord delivers a judgement, no appeal court on the surface of the earth could reverse it. Friends adviced me to attempt an appeal, but I know too much to be that gullible. What went around had only come around. I am reaping what I sowed bountifully. If only I had been patient!
This life is indeed vanity. It is nothing but deception. There is nothing on this planet that worth harming a fellow human being for. Nothing remains new forever. Is it a car, edifice, wife or one' pathetic self. None! I laboured so hard to get to the top and when I got there, I realised that that genderless creature had followed me there. Yes, Karma did and it's so obvious he is busy dragging me back to where I came from. By tomorrow, the news will be all about Arigbabuwo. What a day to be popular! That name, in months would be reduced to nothing and that crazy Dele would not stop tarnishing my image either - a replica of rubbing salt on a wound. But, before that happens, I have to vacate this deceptive sphere of vanity. Just as always, the candidates of the planet reduces by one after I might have taken this portion. Too bad I had to do this to myself. I would rather leave before Kola. If the deads truly reunite, meeting Lucy, the mother of my children with a smile on my face is nothing but a cold day in hell.

I strongly believe our illusions of a great Nigeria will turn reality. let's set aside our sentiments so that our Nigeria can be the better for it. Great Nation I believe.

Nice writeup bro....u are really talented.

Tnx for the comment bro.

another thread opens tomorrow by God's grace. still another short story.

Hmmn.......Nice work.

Adams must be crazy begins tomorrow. Another short story. pls, no forget to comment o.

Yes sir.special shout out to the Ghost Readers Association(GRA)..

abi na. big ups bro

Nice piece. Short nd insightful

Thanks, Zeenas. With u guys, I can be better. pls do comment on the latest too. 'Adams must be crazy'.