Novels by Oni Kehinde

MONTHS LATERJOHN'S POVI staggered into the office, holding a bottle of whiskey in my hands. I slurred incoherent words from my lips as I struggled to find my way towards my seat. Drinking became my escape from depression and anxiety. Mama was still in a coma, James was still missing and Eniola was well gone for good.I sat down groggily and picked up a newspaper. I dropped it flatly on the tilted floor as soon as I read the newspaper headlines.The door snapped open and Kemi strode in wearing a faint smile."Good morning sir." Kemi greeted, dropping her handbag on her desk."Get me another bottle of whiskey, this one is almost finished." I replied, shaking the whiskey bottle."Sir, I don't think I can do that." Kemi replied, adjusting her shirt collar."What did you just say?" I inquired, shattering the unfinished whiskey on the floor.

JOHN'S POV I kicked bottles that were littered on the floor till I reached my office door. I opened it and noticed Eniola's desk was still empty. I sighed deeply and removed my jacket. I hadn't seen or heard from James in two days and it was getting worrisome. I almost failed to notice Kemi typing swiftly on the computer sitting on her rowdy desk. "Good morning Kemi, you are quite early this morning." I said, checking my watch. "Well, I have to be punctual to keep my job sir." Kemi remarked, standing up. "Have you eaten sir?" Kemi added, tilting her head. "No, I haven't, I'll probably head to the court lounge to get something to eat." I concluded, rolling up my sleeves.

AYO'S POV I took a drag of cocaine and moaned in delight. The white powder stuck to the tip of my nose and I inhaled it sharply. I wiped the substance off my black shirt, adjusting the creases that branded it. I squinted my eyes to look at the watch adorning my right hand and gasped, I shrieked on remembering Eniola. "How did time fly so fast?" I mumbled, as I stood up from the couch. I staggered in movement because I felt dizziness lurching and the intense pleasure that ran through my veins. I walked towards the stairs that led to my bedroom, taking dangerous steps. I stopped abruptly at the foot of the stairs and groaned.

ENIOLA'S POVI screamed as loud as I could. My throat had began to itch , my saliva was running out due to dehydration and my hands felt stiff and weak. The air in the coffin was thin and unappealing to my nostrils. I began to cry in apprehension. I still felt an uncertainty on Ayo burying me alive.I reminisced on my dead sister, Arinola and I bit my lip in anguish. Her death was a permanent scar in my life that could never be erased."Why is this happening to me?" I muttered, as my body shook in tears."Why me?" I yelled, as my voice shook tremendously.I remembered my dead parents and I yelled out in pain once more.Thinking about those I lost to the clutches of death made it harder for the tears to stop flowing. It was getting too much for me to handle, the agony and discomfort adjoined to my present predicament. My clothes were muddy and bits of blood were splattered on it giving

ENIOLA'S POVFlashback I walked into my favorite restaurant after my lectures and my stomach grumbled in excitement at the smell of the exotic dishes that filled the cold air. I rushed to the counter to order a meal but my heels didn't fit right with the ground and I fell on a person who was holding his tray of food. I gasped in embarrassment as the food particles was smeared on my white shirt and the contents in the tray were scattered on the ground . I stood up from the floor and raised up my head to apologize. "I am very sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your meal ." I stuttered, taking huge breaths. "It's alright. I think I have seen you before." He stated, pointing his thick long finger at me. "I don't remember you at all." I replied, casting a quizzing look at him."You are Eniola Gbadamosi ,the sharp tongued woma

JOHN'S POV I looked at the scenery before me, from the large glass windows. I saw cars filling the roads and the unpleasant noises that came with it. Children crossing the road in a frenzy and bus conductors calling out for passengers. The endless wails of food sellers calling out to customers on the street causing an enormous noise pollution wasn't left out. "Where did James go? He said he was coming home yesterday. Something feels completely wrong." I muttered, placing my palm on my forehead. "Maybe he slept at Eniola's house." I finalized, nodding my head. The office doors opened to receive a beaming Kemi in a red fitting gown. I forced my cheeks to produce a smile but it ended in vain.