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THE GOSSIP

"God will punish them. Each and everyone one of them will die. Their generations will know no peace. If I get a gun enh, I will shoot them. One by one... Evil men..." Madam Calista cursed.

 Kennedy sat beside her, shaking his head but saying nothing.

"Do you know that they used an iron rod to break the Electrician's door and took everything in his house? Every single thing? I heard they raped his15year old daughter. Demons! If I catch any of them enhh, I will cut their fingers and toes one after the other". She went on.

There had been an armed robbery in the Estate the night before. Many families lost precious possessions to the masked hoodlums.

Madam Calista stood up and went to join the large crowd gathered in front of the Catholic church. The topic of discussion was the robbery. Most people were talking in hushed tones. Everybody seemed afraid of everybody. The armed robbers could be loitering around.

She moved closer to Oga Eloka, the taxi driver.
"I saw their faces especially one of them. I saw his face very well. I can identify them if I see pictures. Soon, everyone was quiet. Madam Calista was now at the centre of the large crowd.

She was the popular Estate hair dresser and gossip. Many did not believe her because in the past, she had spread numerous gossip. Most turned out to be false. Her hair salon was were every false news began its walk until it found its way into the city.

"Did they steal from you?, someone asked from the crowd.

"Well, No. They went to my neighbours house. But I swear I saw their faces. One of them looked through my window. My children were asleep. They knocked on my door but they couldn't come in because the God I serve is bigger than their gods. First thing tomorrow morning, I will go to the police and report everything I saw. Those demons must be arrested. I will personally cut their fingers and toes".

"Why not today?" Another person asked.

"I have to go on a  business trip to Asaba this afternoon. When I come back, I will go to the police myself".

The crowd began to disperse. Many of them regarded the talking woman. She was not one to believe.

"You talk say you see those tif?" Kennedy asked. He had joined the crowd the moment he heard Madam Calista boasting about how she could identify the robbers.

"Yes. One looked a little like you. Don't mind me o. You know I'm joking".

"I know"

Kennedy was the Estate cobbler. He hardly talked to anyone. His only friend was the gateman who guarded the house next to his workshop.

"When you dey go Asaba?"

"By 1pm today . My husband's driver is taking me".

"Safe trip ma. Make I go my workshop"

By 4pm that evening, Madam Calista's body was brought into the mortuary.
All ten fingers and ten toes missing.

Justina Chibueze

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