The Narrow Escape

Image credit: Busliq/Shutterstock

Laide was on the floor with arms flailed and legs sprawled soaked with sweat as though he would drown from the fluid that poured ceaselessly from his body. Tade, his relative who brought him here looked confused his limbs shaking uncontrollably, “my brother is dead, my brother is dead”, he screamed.

[2 weeks earlier]

Laide!, Laide!! was the scream that greeted Laide that beautiful morning as his mum hit the door to his room open urging him to prepare as he is to visit his cousin Tade to spend the forthcoming holiday with him. 

Tade had been expecting his immediate younger cousin to pay him a visit, he needed Laide to come over as he would take his mind away from going out with his friends, Tade had become disillusioned with what his friends had become ever since he left home to start his pre-degree programme at the school, he invited Laide over as his holiday occurred at the same time as that of Laide.

Tade a brilliant student, while in secondary school, was never proud as he associated with everyone and helped any student both his classmates and juniors who were struggling academically, he was also helpful during Laide’s preparation for his Junior West African examinations. This character endeared Tade to many people including his teachers.

Tade sat for his senior West African examinations and his UTME and did well but it surprised him as he didn’t gain admission into the university

During this time, just to leave the house Tade would go out with his companions and mixed up with different people. Tade tried to separate himself from his friends but couldn’t as they played on his emotions saying he was becoming arrogant and he doesn’t regard them anymore.

Not too long, they pressured Tade into taking puffs of marijuana, several attempts to reject would make them ridicule him, Tade then realised if he doesn’t escape this mess it wouldn’t go down well for him. Fortunately for Tade, he could convince his parents to allow him to start the pre-degree programme at the university.

Laide had arrived at Tade’s house and his cousin was very pleased to see him, both of them enjoyed each other’s company as the week passed by playing games and relaxing at the city mall. During this period, Tade’s friend visited him convincing him to go out with them along with his cousin. Reluctantly, Tade gave in.

On this fateful day, Tade and Laide went out with friends they came to an unused warehouse where several young guys and gals used as their hideout to smoke crack and consume many drugs. Tade refused to collect sticks of hemp passed to him and told his friends not to give to Laide since he was still young. Some girls amongst them known as cooks, crushed and heated tablets like tramadol and mixed it with Benyllin and codeine.

[ Present day]

Several minutes later, people went outside they knew something was happening, someone shouted OD!, OD!! they wanted to know if it was true and who it happened to

Laide was on the floor with arms flailing and legs sprawled all over soaked with sweat as though he would drown from the fluid that poured ceaselessly from his body. Tade, his cousin who brought him here looked confused his limbs shaking uncontrollably, “my brother is dead, my brother is dead”, he screamed.

On hearing “my brother is dead” everyone took to their heels it was pure mayhem as no one wanted to be there. Tade cried profusely his friends had deserted him, what was he going to say to his parents, suddenly, Laide stood up, dusted himself and told his cousin to stop crying they need to leave for home now he’ll explain on the road Tade was in disbelief Laide looked lifeless moments ago “What is going on?” he asked within himself.

As soon as they got home Laide explained saying he’s an executive member of his school’s drama club and they did a presentation against drug abuse, this past term, so he knew techniques to make himself look as though he overdosed from drug intake.

Tade was in awe of the intelligence shown by his young cousin, he thanked him from helping them both from that situation and swore to never allow pressure from peers push him to do what he doesn’t want to and never to do drugs. Tade never saw his “friends” again.