THE RESOLUTION

THE RESOLUTION

TONY

I have loved many things. I have loved God, money, beautiful girls and ladies and I have loved my family. But nothing have I loved like writing and photography. I believe writing and photography are similar, in the aspect that the both capture the image of people and things. It’s stupid neglecting the things you love.  I didn’t tend to photography in 2018, so I made a new year resolution to work more on photography this year and in the process I met a damsel in distress.

The previous day 13/2/2019. I called my friend Sarah and volunteered to take shots of her. Sarah is dark and amazing. when Maroon 5 sang ‘Girls like you’, he must have forgotten to call her or maybe she declined the offer because of her busy schedule. Sarah works in an embassy and is also a fashion blogger. She is affiliated with the top designer brands in the world, so I am thrilled, she accepted my request. It’s good to have great friends.

My phone alarm rings, it is the crow of a Cock. Nobody can sleep through that, not even a lifeless president. That is if there is such thing like a lifeless president, I would sympathize with the country, because it would be in pitiful disarray. The sun is out; one wouldn’t wish for a better weather than this. The sun is not so bright hot. I take a shower and dress up in black hoodie, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Ten minutes later… ‘‘Oga please drop me at TINAPA. How Much?’’ I asked the Cab driver. ‘’It is 150 naira my friend.’’ the driver replied. I do not want to stress myself in bargaining, so I just hop into the vehicle. In Calabar money can be paid for pain. Actually the 150 am paying should be for transportation, but instead am being squeezed by a fat broke man. How can somebody be fat and broke? This fat man should try and fast so that he will save money to buy a Car, because the man’s stomach looks like it is worth 7.5 million in pounds. After two hours and punishment, I have arrived at my destination. ‘’Hello Sarah, I have arrived are you here?’’ ‘’No Tony, my Car is stuck in a traffic jam at Marian RD, please I’ll be there shortly.’’ ‘’Hmm… ok, I am waiting.’’ I reply and punch the end button.  I decide to take pictures of this beautiful vacated resort while she is not here yet. I am strolling and taking pictures randomly when my eyes catches up on a lady calling me hesitantly from a Storey building window. She disappears in New York minute as a man pulls her away from the window.

My phone rings, ‘‘hello Sarah.’’ I speak into the mouth piece. ‘‘Tony where are you?’’ Sarah says. I tell her to walk towards the TINAPA lakeside hotel… five minutes later we are together. “I’ll take the shots in different outfits.” she says. After one hour of a fun photo session. Sarah drops me at my apartment. “Did you cook? I am hungry and would like to come in for a meal before heading over to work.” she says. “No I didn’t, but I can cook something for you in a Jiffy.” “ok, let’s go in then.” She says. We are both in the sitting room discussing waiting for the spaghetti to be ready. A face pops up on the television with a report of a missing girl, it’s strange because the face looks familiar and I can’t actually place my hands on it. “I wonder what happened to the girl.” Sarah says. “her family must be very anxious and there is no ransom yet to make one know if she was kidnapped at least.” “it’s strange, I feel like I have seen her somewhere before.” I say. “Yeah, it’s like that sometimes or maybe you had a one night stand with her.” Sarah says. I chuckle a little. “you know I am not the type of Nigga that likes one night stands. let me go check the food on the Cooker.” “Yes go and check please, or ill end up eating you finally.”  I stay in the kitchen for some time, waiting for the food to be well cooked. It does not take too long for it to. I take a plate out from the cupboard, rinse it and then dish the food into the plate, which I serve to Sarah. She finishes eating and takes the plate to the dishwasher. After some time, I escort her back to her car. “I’ll come back later so we will decide which pictures will be discarded.” She says. “Ok.” I reply and stand watching, until she drives away.

I take out the memory card from the Camera and insert it into my PC to view the snapshots. While I am scrolling through the pictures, I notice something strange. The picture of the lady calling me from her window. I zoom in and its even stranger when I notice that it is the same lady that was reported missing in the news headline.  I take my phone out of my pocket and dial Sarah’s number to tell her of my discovery, her phone rings but she doesn’t pick up.  I dial her number twice again and she doesn’t still pickup.

I decided to take the discovery to the Police. I went to the police station and met an officer at the police station. “Good Afternoon officer.” I greeted the officer behind the counter. “Good Afternoon sir, how can I help you?” the police officer replies. “It is the other way around; I am the one to help you.” “How is that?” the officer inquires. “I know where the lady that was reported missing can be found, I was taking pictures at TINAPA when I saw a lady calling me, before she was dragged away by a man. It also happened that I accidentally snapped her with my Camera.” I take out my Camera and show the officer the picture of the lady. “Thanks.” the officer says. “This will make the search for the girl easier. The girl’s parent placed a reward for anyone that finds their daughter” “wow! and I saw her. How much is the reward?” I ask the officer. “Two million dollars” he replies. “She is the only child of her parents.” “Officer her parents must be very rich.” “Yes they are. The father is the popular Engr. Ene.” “I have never heard of him.” I say. “That Is surprising.  You are the first person I have come across that doesn’t know who Engr. Ene is. The man owns lots of filling station in this state. He is the owner of mainland filling station.” If I go and rescue the girl, I will get the reward, already I have a head start as I know where the girl is. “Sir I have somewhere to go now, good luck on finding the girl” I shake his right hand and leave the Police Station.

After I left the police station. I went to a security shop at Marian RD and bought a helicopter drone and pistol. After that I entered a cab driving to TINAPA. When I got to TINAPA, it was getting dark. My phone rang and it was Sarah calling. I picked the phone and told her I was busy. Thereafter I switched off my phone. I turned on the helicopter drone and controlled it around the house windows. From the video in which the drone recorded, the lady was the only one in the house. Wow!!! this is easier than I could have thought. I walk towards the door and try opening it but it is locked. I ram my body against the door thrice, the fourth time the door flies wide open. I enter into the house and climb up the stairs. There are three rooms upstairs. I open the first and no one is there, I close it and walk towards the second door. She is there in the second room laying on the bed. “Who are you?” she asks. “I am someone who has come to rescue you, stand up let’s get out of here.” “I am handcuffed to the bed.” she says. I walk closer and see that that her hands are both cuffed to the bed frame. The bed frame is made of wood, so I break the wood so that the cuff is free. She stands up and we go downstairs. We are close to the door entrance when a man comes in. I freeze on the spot and cannot move. He takes out his pistol, aims it at me and pulls the trigger. Paaw!!!

MARIZ

I look at him lie there dead, blood oozing from his body. The man that had come to rescue me. My kidnapper, Mike, my father’s brother holds my right hand and drags me back upstairs. I am too weak to resist. He throws me into a room and locks the door. The world is so dark, So dark…

TONY

Death did not come for me that day. The bullet had hit me on my shoulder and I had fainted because of the shock. I took out my handkerchief and tied the bullet wound to avoid more blood, then I crawled quietly around the house. I crawled upstairs, while climbing I heard footsteps coming down. I waited for the person to show himself. By reflex I take out my pistol from the holster and shoot the man. He comes tumbling down the stairs to the ground. Confidently I walk towards the room I saw the girl in earlier, but she isn’t there. Where the hell could she be, I screamed.

MARIZ

I was asleep when I heard the gunshot. I was so scared as I didn’t know what was going on. Then I heard a voice demanding where I was. I couldn’t answer as I didn’t know who that was. The doorknob twisted. The man was trying to get into the room. So I walked quickly to the wardrobe and hid myself there.

TONY

The door unlike others was locked, she must be in here. I used my last strength and rammed the door open with my body. She was not here. I just sat there stunned to the core. Then I saw her come out of the wardrobe. Something awoke inside me, she was so beautiful. “Hi.” I said. “Hi.” she responded “so you are my own prince charming.” “Yes, I am and you are my Rapunzel.” “lol, I don’t have long hairs like Rapunzel.” “no you don’t but you are a lot more beautiful.” “Thank you for rescuing me.” she says. “I thought you were dead.” “I thought so too. let’s get out of here.”

After that night I have been the happiest guy in the world. It is strange how things happen. We went out on many dates until I fell into love with her. Today is the day I am going to propose, please wish me luck!

 ©Aantoni Aamanso