Sparkles

There are times in life when we're shaken 📌❣️

So on that fateful day, we closed from the factory and returned home late in the evening—later than usual.

By the time we pulled into our master’s compound, darkness had already swallowed everything. The compound lights were on, but they did little to chase away the deep evening gloom that had settled over the place.

And the tiredness we came back with that evening?

It was on another level entirely.

Believe me, my muscles weren’t just aching, they were completely drained, like every ounce of strength had been used out of me. Even lifting my legs as I walked felt like a burden.

Unfortunately, very unfortunately, it had to be that same day my master’s goods finally arrived from Lagos.

Too unfortunate. Honestly.

Two full trailers.

Not those small trucks people casually refer to—no. I’m talking about long, heavy-duty trailers with extended backs, heavily loaded with raw materials for shoe and bag production. Bundles upon bundles, tightly packed, stretching from one end of the trailer to the other.

Days earlier, while he was still in Lagos, my master had mentioned the shipment to me in passing. He had since returned days before the goods finally arrived, which wasn’t unusual back then.

Things were not as fast as they are now.

Back then, vehicles didn’t move with the kind of speed we see today. Sometimes, it took nearly a week—or even more—for trucks carrying goods to arrive in Abuja from Lagos. Breakdowns, bad roads, and delays were all part of the journey.

That day tested us beyond normal limits.

We struggled, pushed, lifted, dragged… sweat soaking through our clothes, our hands rough from handling the heavy materials.

And in the end, we only managed to offload one trailer before our master, in rare consideration, asked us to go home and rest. Even the more experienced apprentices could barely hide their exhaustion.

Honestly, I had even considered sleeping at the factory that night, just to avoid the stress of returning to the house.

But I didn’t.

And maybe… I should have.

Because the moment I stepped into the compound that night, I met something I wasn’t prepared for.

An unexpected sight.

The very first person my eyes landed on was Kenneth—the most senior apprentice, known for his authority and long-standing position in the apprenticeship.

But he wasn’t alone.

Scattered across different corners of the compound, some standing, and even some sitting, were the other seven apprentices who had been arrested about a week earlier.

The same ones.

The ones takenn awayy over the missing goods worth over ₦30 million from the store.

For nearly two weeks, they had been with the authorities, undergoing intense questioning and investigation.

And now… they were back.

I was completely unaware.

My master hadn’t said a word to me—or to anyone—that they would be returning that day.

But from the very moment they sighted me, I felt it.

Their eyes followed me. Their faces carried anger… maybe even resentment. And somehow, my presence seemed to make the atmosphere more uncomfortable.

I didn’t say a word.

I simply walked past them, through their midst, my footsteps steady but my mind alert. I went straight to my room in the boys’ quarters, acting like they didn’t exist.

But not long after, less than thirty minutes, I heard my master’s voice echo through the compound.

He was back.

I remained seated quietly in my room, trying to gather myself, when suddenly, my name rang out. Echoing through the compound.

My chest tightened instantly.

Without hesitation, I stepped out of my room and saw all the apprentices already gathered in front of the main house, arranged in a loose formation. Chief Donatus stood before them, arms folded across his chest, his presence commanding even in the dim light.

I hurried over and took my place among them, trying to steady my breathing.

Immediately, he adjusted his stance slightly, his sharp eyes scanning every single face, slowly, deliberately, as if weighing each person. He was so fond of doing this.

“I don’t have much to say this evening,” he began, clearing his throat.

“Kenneth.” he called.

“Yes sir,” Kenneth replied, stepping forward with a controlled expression, though the tension in his jaw was visible.

“Last week, i was informed by the officer that the missing goods could not be traced,” Chief Donatus said, his voice calm but heavy. “Meaning, after all investigations, no culprit could be identified among the eight of you who were most likely to know something.”

He exhaled deeply, shaking his head in disappointment.

“I was not surprised,” he added. “And since he couldn’t hold anyone unjustly, I instructed him to release you all once I returned to town.”

A brief pause.

“Now, all eight of you are back… but my goods are still missing.”

Silence fell over the compound.

You could almost hear the night insects in the background.

“Ebuka.” Chief Donatus echoed, calling me.

My heart skipped.

“Yes sir,” I answered quickly.

“Come forward.” he said.

My heartbeat quickened as I stepped out, feeling multiple eyes follow me, as I finally stood before him.

He placed a firm hand on my shoulder and turned me to face the others.

“As you can see," he began. "Ebuka has been managing my business in your absence,” he announced.

I felt Kenneth shift slightly.

“And during this period,” he continued, “sales have increased. Customers have sent in commendations—both in cash and in kind. Records are intact. Nothing went missing. No issues. No unnecessary drama.”

His voice hardened slightly.

“I repeat, no goods went missing.”

The weight of his words settled heavily on everyone present.

“This clearly shows that among the eight of you… the suspect is there.”

A faint murmur almost rose—but died instantly.

“Till tomorrow, Kenneth, you remain my number person of interest in my eyes”,” Chief Donatus said bluntly. “Even though there is no evidence yet.”

“Oga, I swear—” Kenneth tried to speak, his voice strained.

“Keep quiet, osiso!” Chief Donatus snapped sharply.

“Oga—”

“I said keep quiet now!”

The compound went silent again, with tension in the air.

Then came the unexpected.

“I know you are the senior apprentice,” Chief continued. “You’ve served me for over four years. By tradition, you should be the leader.”

He paused.

“But tonight, I am doing what has never been done before in this house.”

My stomach rumbled.

“I am appointing Ebuka to oversee my business from now on… until I decide otherwise.”

A quiet shock swept through the compound like a wave. Mouths parted. Eyes widened.

Even me, I felt a cold shiver run down my spine, my palms suddenly cold, like the ground beneath me might just open and swallow me whole.

“I have shifted the staff of authority,” he declared firmly. “Everyone will obey his instructions as they would obey mine.”

No one spoke.

“Like I said earlier, I don’t have much to say tonight.”

He turned without another glance.

“Goodnight.”

And just like that, he walked away, his footsteps fading into the night, leaving behind a storm he had just created.

I didn’t wait.

Like a shadow, I slipped out of the gathering, careful not to draw attention, and headed straight back to my room.

My heart was racing faster than my steps.

Barely ten minutes after I got inside the room, the door suddenly pulled open with force.

Kenneth entered into the room.

Before I could react, he closed the door and locked it, the sound echoing in the small room.

Then he held my shirt firmly, his breath heavy, his eyes burning with anger as they locked into mine.

“Who do you think you are?” Kenneth snapped.

“What game do you think you’re playing?” he asked.

✎𝐓𝐁𝐂..

Indeed 📌❣️