The Picnic - Episode 1

A gun shot was discharged in the air. The deafening bangs lasted thirty minutes. Everyone at the pool house laid in wait where they hid. 

Caroline walked out of her hiding place when the shots have subsided in search of her fiancé, Bolaji.
She heard a scream and then followed the sound where the scream came from. Then she met Toke with her palm over her lips in shock. On the floor close to the pool was her fiancé lying dead in the pool of his own blood as the blood trickled down into the water.

"What can I say about Bolaji Daniels?" Caroline began her speech on a remembrance service held to uphold Bolaji's memory.
She shrugs, trying to control the tears that were already building up. She told Kazeem it was a bad idea to call her out but he still insisted on her coming out to say something.
"Bolaji was most of the time naughty, playful and fun. He is a brilliant engineer and a boyfriend. Too bad death snatched him away from me too quickly" She added wiping off some tears that had escaped down to her cheek with an hankerchief.
"I'm sorry" she apologized to the house walking away while some gaze at her in sympathy.
"Ehya Sha" Ugo a studio engineer muttered loud enough for Muna who was standing close to him to hear. His hands plunged into his pants pocket as he continued shaking his head in pity.
"I feel for her o" he added but Muna seemed indifferent about the sorrowful atmosphere.
"Muna!" He called out and Muna glared at him. 
"What's up nah? I say I feel bad for Caro but you no talk anything"
"How that one take concern me?" She snapped with her brow raised at him.

"Sorry about that everyone" The M.C, Kazeem apologized into the microphone he held with his right hand while his iPad was on the left.
"She's really emotional about the whole thing" he said with a pause, "I mean who wouldn't? If my girlfriend dies a week before my wedding, hell! I would have committed suicide by now but Caroline has to be the strongest woman I've ever met."
"Everyone loved Bolaji" he continued, "Hell, I loved Bolaji" he added getting strange stare from some people

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

. "I no gay Sha" he added and  everyone busted into laughter.
"Bola was a sucker for music. He was that engineer that could sing for Africa!"
"Abi" those familiar with it chorused. Shortly after, Kazeem invited Pastor Ik to give a speech in remembrance of Bola.
He stepped on the podium dressed in a blue and black stripe shirt and black pants.
"Why you call pastor now?" A guy chastised Kazeem. "What if say him dull everybody spirit with one kain 'give your life to Christ' sermon"
"What's a remembrance service with a clergy or a pastor?" He retorted.
Duro walked into the gathering clashing into a drunk girl.

Read " Palm lines " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. "Hello hottie" she said while another dragged her away. 
His attention immediately fell on the Pastor who just cleared his throat to test the mic.

"In life, there is a time and season for everything. God in his own time does things that would make us question his authority but the truth is, who are we to question God? Brother Bolaji as I've come to know him, is a hardworking member of the church choir. A youth coordinator" he paused with a wide smile on his face.
"Brother Bola would sing and heaven would register his voice, angels would even come down to listen to him minister. Bolaji was a gifted man. Too bad he died the way he did. He didn't deserve it though but one thing is for sure. If we all repent and live our lives the way Brother Bolaji did, we might actually have the grace to meet him in God's kingdom" 
Muna let out a loud hiss. "Yes, in heaven banging the hell out of six virgins. Look at this man oh" she waved her hands mockingly at  the pastor looking at Ugo who was shaking his head.
 He couldn't believe how insensitive Muna could be about the whole scenario.
"Oh I forgot, Christian's don't believe in the virgin in heaven things" she added and Duro who was standing close to her looked at her with so much fascination. 
"Oga what are you starting at?" Muna snapped walking away while Ugo took a glance at Duro. "I don't understand women and their hormones" 
"Who does?" Duro asked and his attention fell on a lady whose hands were folded in full concentration on the Pastor who was still giving a sermon on heaven and after-life. 
"Rukky" someone called out to her interrupting her concentration. 
"She's still crying, you can go and see her" Caroline's  P.A said to her and she left so she could console her.

While Rukky bent down gazing at Bolaji lying his pool of blood. She felt a hand grab on tightly to her throat to strangle her; it was no other than Bolaji.