THE STALKING GAME

"What do you want me to do?" Jasper asked, after we had gotten to my place in the school compound. 

Jasper was looking at me with a different eye now. He seemed to be seeing me for the first time, and each time I caught him looking at me, he had admiration and awe on his face. He was like a man who had suddenly discovered that his wife was going to be the president.

He talked to me more slowly now, with a respect that I had never know before. And I could see that he had many questions, but he was also respectful not to push the boundary of our familiarity in order to satisfy his curiosity.

"I want you to go to Tala's house," I said. "You would wait there for a Mercedes E-Class, ash in color. Once you see it, I want you to follow it until you find out where the owner of the car is staying."

Jasper nodded, and I also saw that he had many questions tucked behind his eyes.

"Follow him until he gets to the place he stays." I said. "Take note of the place and come back and take me there."

"Is the person Talatu's fiancé?"

"Yes."

"What do you want with him?" he asked.

"Don't worry about that; I just want to know where he stays."

"I will do it," Jasper said. "But I hope you know what you are doing?"

"Go now. Stay close to their house. I know he would either come to pick Tala or he would drop her from the hospital. In any case, just follow him to the house and know where he stays."

"Okay," Jasper said, and got up.

"And Jasper?"

"Yes?"

"The Toyota is yours."

"What do you mean?" he asked, his eyes getting wider.

"The Toyota is yours. Manage it for now."

"Are you serious?"

"It's yours. But anytime you get tired of driving it, you can come drive the Benz. These are your brother's cars. They are our cars."

"Wow, thanks a lot," Jasper said. "Mom would certainly come back tonight to see you. She would be overwhelmed."

I shook my head. "Don't tell her about the new cars yet. Just tell her that I gave you this one. Tell her she could come see me tomorrow."

"Thanks a lot," he said, and walked out of the house in an excited mode.

I didn't reveal how much I have to Jasper because I know he might not be able to sleep in the night. I would tell him in due time; at a time that the amount would not overwhelm him.

I called Talatu's number. The phone rang twice before she answered the call.

"Hello," she said.

"Are you still in the hospital?" I asked.

"Yes, but I would be leaving soon. Thank you for the money."

"How much do you have left?" 

"What?" she asked.

"The money; how much do you have left?"

"We paid for the drugs and the accommodation—"

"How much is left?"

"Two hundred and five thousand."

"Okay; I am sending another five hundred thousand. And tell me when you have used that up."

"Paul, I can't continue taking money from you. We are no longer together; you shouldn't be doing this."

"I am doing it for you and not your boyfriend. I am doing it for you."

There was a moment's silence. I could imagine her holding the phone close to her ear, with her hands holding the phone tightly and wondering what to say to me. 

"I am doing it for you," I said again and cut off the call.

I sent another five hundred thousand naira to her account. About two minutes later Talatu called again.

"Yes?" I said.

"It's Talatu's mom. I don't know what to tell you, Paul. I am so grateful to you. You are a good man. You are a very good man. May God bless you for your kindness."

"Amen," I said. "It's no problem, ma. I just hope Mr. Panja gets better soon and leaves the hospital."

"Thank you so much," she said. "Let me hand you over to Talatu."

"Paul," Talatu said. "I don't know what to say. Thank you so much. This would cover all the expenses. Thank you so much."

"You are welcome," I said. "When can I come and see him again?"

"You want to come again? To the hospital?"

"Yes; but when do you want me to come?"

"You can come anytime during the visiting hours."

"Okay; I will see you soon."

I stopped the call and sat for a long while thinking of what to do next. I must get her to trust me with all her heart again, and then I will strike her boyfriend and then her heart.

It would take a while, but I have the time and the resources. I will take my time and plan each of my steps and then at the right opportunity, I will strike, and it would be a strike that none of them can recover from.

I stared at Sarah's picture on the TV set. I felt a guilt stir up in my heart, but I banished the guilty thought as soon as it came into my heart. I was going to have my revenge, and nothing would stop it.

They cannot kill Sarah and go free.

I will ensure they pay for what they have done.