One Night, A lifetime.

Igburu! Igburu! Igburu!
I was struggling to put on our rickety generator.
“Thomas”. Mama called out.
” yes, mama”. I replied.
“What is wrong with the generator?”. Mama asked.
” It is getting difficult to put on mama”. I replied.
“Just keep trying it will come on”.
I tried it again, and it came on.

I was elated because the generator had dragged out sweat from my body. I went inside, switched on the security lights.
We were excited because that was the day of the champions league final. My team ” Arsenal” shocked everyone when they qualified for the final. They were underdogs, but we were hoping for a miracle.

“Don’t worry Thomas the boys won’t disappoint us today”. Papa said.
“Papa I hope this match won’t be a waste of time”. I replied.
” let watch and see”. Papa said.

Arsenal did nothing to allay my fears as they were trashed five nill by Barcelona. They were outplayed from beginning to the end. Papa angrily left to his room.

“Thomas!” Papa called me.
“Sir!” I replied.
“Go and put off that generator”. Papa said.
Papa’s phone was ringing, it was MR Ameh our neighbour.
“Papa your phone is ringing”.
” Who is calling me by this time?”. Papa asked.
“It is MR Ameh”.
“Leave my phone there, and go and put off the generator”. Papa ordered.

I switched off the TV, and I opened the door, went outside, and I put off the generator. I was about moving the generator inside when I saw a guy coming with a gun. I wanted to run but another person came from behind and knocked me out.
When I regained consciousness, I saw myself tied together with the rest of the family members. We were five at home, my parents, my two sisters, and I.

” Where are your ATM cards?” One of the robbers asked.
“Check my room, it is in the drawer; the first one”. Papa said.
” My ATM card is there as well”. Mama said.
“Okay, bros what of you?”. The robbers asked me.
” I am not up to eighteen years so that I have one”. I said.
“If slap you, you that looks like my elder brother is saying I am not up to eighteen. God punish that your mouth”. The same robber said.

Papa gave me a stern look, I knew he wanted me to give them my ATM card. All my savings would vanish within one night. The robbers were so sure I was up to eighteen years, even when I looked very young. One of the robbers did the talking while the other robber was quiet. The quiet robber went inside to carry ATM cards while the other robber stayed back.

“Are you not that rude and pompous girl? “. The robber asked my elder sister.
” No! You must be confusing me with another person”. My sister replied.
“Are you not Edet? You think I don’t know you?”. The robber said.

The robber acted as though he wanted to devour his meal, but yes he wanted to devour my sister’s virginity. He untied my sister and pinned her to the ground. He was about to clear the path when the other robber came.

” Tu!!”
The quiet robber shot his accomplice. He threw the ATM cards on the floor and ran away. The police were outside waiting for them, so when he ran out he was shot.

“God has put my enemies to shame, thank you, Jesus”. Mama said.
” Edet come and untie us”. Papa said.
(Edet was crying, and untying us at the same time)
“The police are outside let us go and see the face of that criminal “. Papa said.
When we got outside, the face we saw shocked us. It was Paul my elder brother. He was a hero and villain in the same night.