The Robbery Attack - Episode 4

 

November 1st

As everyone exchanged happy New month greetings in the office, all my mind could dwell on was the impending doom waiting to happen. We have prayed and fasted and now we hope for God’s protection, wisdom and guidance.

“Baby girl, new month means bank alert.

“My bank alert na gbagaun". Wunmi sang and danced 

"I can now buy that Hermes slippers and handbag from Madam Stella” she continued

I cared less about the salary to be paid . I prayed solemnly my family survived the Night.

“What is wrong with you”. Wumi asked after she sees me not so enthused about her fashion items.

“Tonight is the heist”. I said 

“Oh, I’m sorry for being insensitive. I totally forgot”. Wunmi said as she sat down.

After relaying Seun's story to her, she went ahead to make some enquiries and got credible news about the ‘Men of the Night’ she became more compassionate and reasonable.

“What are you going to do” she asked with her folded looking really worried.

“I have to trust in God, and wish my family survive the night”. 

“They are now popular in the city. Everyone seem to have heard about them and the fact that authorities are doing nothing about them is baffling”

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-robbery-attack

. Wunmi said.

“Just pray for my family and every family of House 5”. I replied.

“Did I mention that Seun got some equipment for protection? He’s planning to replay Home Alone”. I said turning on my desktop to start the work in being paid to do.

Wunmi laughed hysterically.

“It isn’t funny Wunmi, if the men get upset and decide to shoot at them, what would happen. I have tried to preach sense to him but it’s falling on deaf ears”. I said to Wunmi who is still laughing.

“Why do I waste my time with you?” I said turning to face my desktop.

“Ha ha babe, I’m sorry for laughing” she replied still laughing.

“The whole situation is funny, I never imagined Seun to be such a guy. But not to worry babe, you are in my prayers” She continued.

6pm: House 5

Seun was back, as other males in House 5. As I made dinner, I prayed in my mind asking God to let us scale through. I’m sure I said same prayer point repeatedly but my mind didn't seem to know nor care.

7pm: Still in the house

Properly fed, the kids watched Tv, Seun was on his phone trying to Google effective ways to use his tools and equipments. I sent a message via WhatsApp to my fellow House 5 wives.

 Chinwe said she had just finished packing her gold into a bag and hidden it under the bed. She is always the igbo woman even in time of crisis. 

Kemi said she wore a pair of joggers and sneakers as she await their coming and Dayo her husband was gearing up to 'fight till the end', her words not mine.

Cynthia said she just finished cleaning up the house and already laid out her valuables like a buffet and afterward sit down and welcome them like real invited guest.

Nneka didn’t reply and I had to call her. She answered the phone crying. 

“What is wrong” I asked.

“Babe, I’m too young to die or be a widow. I wish I could run away. I wish this would pass” she replied.

After 10minutes on the phone , I was able to pacify her and reassured her that we would be fine and scale through.

 10pm: 

I had entered the room to quickly shower and clear up the house. I left Seun who was dressing to go to war with the kids. Immediately I entered the sitting room, I saw Tobi my youngest son asleep. 

“General, one of your soldiers have retired voluntarily” I said to Seun.

I knew it wasn't a time to be petty, but I couldn’t help it. He simply eyeballed me as he continued with his research. 

“Where are you going” I asked Seun who is standing up and making his way outside with his bag .

“I’m going to apply the glue to the steps on the porch and then plug the electric I plan on putting on the door knob”. He replied.

 I'm always the inquisitive soul, I went with him to watch.

He meticulously applied glue to every steps on the porch while I and my kids watched. He asked Tayo to bring a stool for him with which he climb and checked the blow torch attached to the electric circuit attached to the decking. He asked us to step inside while he stood at the door, opening the rat traps as he set them just by the door. 

I didn’t know how to react. I simply just stared at him.

11.10pm

The ‘Men of the Night’ had made us go through an impromptu vigil which my system wasn’t finding funny after a long day at work. I groggily walked to the sitting room after checking on Tobi and Tara. I walked in to meet Seun and Tayo asleep with their all black ensemble. I wanted to laugh but decided against it. They have been through so much. I let them sleep while I stayed up to watch. 

I went on WhatsApp to chat up my fellow wives. I asked about their husbands,

Kemi said Dayo have been drifting off for a while now and immediately he hears any sounds, he jumps up holding a stick and shouts “where are they?”. 

Nneka had stopped crying and said Stanley was wide awake switching from channels to channels which was beginning to annoy her.

Chinwe had hidden all her treasures. When I asked about Emeka, she simply sent a picture of him sleeping with their child laying on him.

Cynthia didn’t reply my message. I decided to call her and she picked up with a sleepy voice. She said she couldn’t kill her self and they should raid to their heart content. When I asked about Matthew, she said he was somewhere in the house with their son Timothy. 

What about Akpan? No one thought about him since. Seun left instructions with him not to be violent but allow them pass through. I sincerely pray he listens.

Out of curiosity, I called him.

“Akpan, how you are?”

“Madam, I dey fine”

His voice wasn’t firm.

Read " The Longest Night " by the same author ( Nancy Eseosa )

. He sounded scared.

“Hope you nor dey fear” I asked 

 “I dey fear madam. I nor wan die. My mama go die if she hear say her pikin die. Na work to send money go home make me come Lagos.....

Akpan never knows when to shut up. You ask him a question and he talks non stop.

“God nor go allow anything happen to any of us” I said and ended the call.

12:45 am

I woke up to the loud scream at the door. I immediately glanced at the wall clock and then at Seun who was also startled by the noise and now wide awake and staring at me. Are they here? God they are here. God help us.  As I reasoned these details, I hear the scream again as Seun runs to the door. As he tried to turn the knob, I screamed

“The door knob, electric”. I blurted out.

Even in my incoherent speech, he made sense and disabled the electric attached to the door knob. 

We heard another scream and yanked the door open to a sight that left us bewildered.