Truth Underneath the Surface

By Bolanle Ogundiran

In all Fimi’s wildest imaginations, it never crossed her mind that one day, she’ll step into a prison premises not as a visitor, but as a convicted criminal. The mere thought of isolation, routine and poor diet increased her heartbeat, making her perspire even more. Two female wardens sat opposite her, it was quiet, which added to the sense of loneliness she was battling with. All her adult life had been cheerfully noisy; her extrovert nature was visible wherever she found herself. This sudden turn of event frightened her beyond explanation. She pondered on how someone’s life could change within a short notice. She marked her forty-fifth birthday three months ago in a five star hotel in the Bahamas. Some of her friends in her social circle flew in to rock the party and leave a fashion statement. She had a complete make-over in preparation for the event; shopped at different designer boutiques and hired an extravagant event planner. Fimi wanted a party which would throw her to lime-light in the society pages of leading fashion magazines and that was exactly what she got.

The prison van finally halted in front of a building with high walls and the inscription – Poma Women Prison, Ireland. She got down from the van in handcuffs and leg chains. The two female wardens who embarked on the journey with her from the courthouse led her inside. They walked through a long, well lighted corridor, with stern looking guards strategically positioned before turning left into a room. She was relieved of her handcuffs and leg chains and given prison uniform to change into including a slate with numbers written on which she hung on her neck while a photographer took pictures of her front and side views. She filled a form and her finger prints were taken then a warden handed her prison properties comprising two bed sheet and pillow cases, one blanket, one towel, soap, sponge, toothbrush and paste, body and hair cream, hair brush, sanitary wears, tissue paper, four set of under wears, a pair of rubber shoes, an extra uniform and writing materials. They were all neatly packed in a basket which she carried as she was led by a male and female warden to her cell. They stopped at cell number 251, the heavy metal door was unlocked, she stepped in and the door was immediately slammed shut. The small cell had a double-decker bed, a small table and chair by the corner, including a toilet and a wash-hand basin in front of her. Lying on the bed below was a brunette with an oval face and brown eyes. She stared at Fimi for awhile then asked “What’s your name?”

Fimi looked at her and wondered what this pretty lady did to end up here, then she replied “Fimi”.

“Am Sally” she said; “Welcome to your new world. Rule number one, don’t talk back at the wardens or be rude to them. If you do, you’ll wish you were dumb the day you walked in here. Rule number two, watch out for the Tigress Gang, you’ll know them when you see them and Rule number three, do not snore. My last cellmate gave me headaches with her snores and I frustrated her out of here. So, on a lighter note, what did you do to wind-up here?”

Fimi cleared her throat and said “I took what didn’t belong to me.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bolanle Ogundiran
• Release date: Dec 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370433247

Bolanle Ogundiran

Bolanle Ogundiran obtained her first Degree in Education from Lagos State University Ojo in 2000 before proceeding for her Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management and Professional Certificate and Diploma in Public Relations.She has over twelve years work experience in Customer Service, Business Development and Research. ‘My Path to Justice’ is her first book.

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TRUTH

UNDERNEATH

THE SURFACE

BY

BOLANLE OGUNDIRAN

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

By Bolanle Ogundiran

Copyright 2016 Bolanle Ogundiran

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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CHAPTER ONE

In all Fimi’s wildest imaginations, it never crossed her mind that one day, she’ll step into a prison premises not as a visitor, but as a convicted criminal. The mere thought of isolation, routine and poor diet increased her heartbeat, making her perspire even more. Two female wardens sat opposite her, it was quiet, which added to the sense of loneliness she was battling with. All her adult life had been cheerfully noisy; her extrovert nature was visible wherever she found herself. This sudden turn of event frightened her beyond explanation. She pondered on how someone’s life could change within a short notice. She marked her forty-fifth birthday three months ago in a five star hotel in the Bahamas. Some of her friends in her social circle flew in to rock the party and leave a fashion statement. She had a complete make-over in preparation for the event; shopped at different designer boutiques and hired an extravagant event planner. Fimi wanted a party which would throw her to lime-light in the society pages of leading fashion magazines and that was exactly what she got.

The prison van finally halted in front of a building with high walls and the inscription – Poma Women Prison, Ireland. She got down from the van in handcuffs and leg chains. The two female wardens who embarked on the journey with her from the courthouse led her inside. They walked through a long, well lighted corridor, with stern looking guards strategically positioned before turning left into a room. She was relieved of her handcuffs and leg chains and given prison uniform to change into including a slate with numbers written on which she hung on her neck while a photographer took pictures of her front and side views. She filled a form and her finger prints were taken then a warden handed her prison properties comprising two bed sheet and pillow cases, one blanket, one towel, soap, sponge, toothbrush and paste, body and hair cream, hair brush, sanitary wears, tissue paper, four set of under wears, a pair of rubber shoes, an extra uniform and writing materials. They were all neatly packed in a basket which she carried as she was led by a male and female warden to her cell. They stopped at cell number 251, the heavy metal door was unlocked, she stepped in and the door was immediately slammed shut. The small cell had a double-decker bed, a small table and chair by the corner, including a toilet and a wash-hand basin in front of her. Lying on the bed below was a brunette with an oval face and brown eyes. She stared at Fimi for awhile then asked What’s your name?

Fimi looked at her and wondered what this pretty lady did to end up here, then she replied Fimi.

Am Sally she said; Welcome to your new world. Rule number one, don’t talk back at the wardens or be rude to them. If you do, you’ll wish you were dumb the day you walked in here. Rule number two, watch out for the Tigress Gang, you’ll know them when you see them and Rule number three, do not snore. My last cellmate gave me headaches with her snores and I frustrated her out of here. So, on a lighter note, what did you do to wind-up here?

Fimi cleared her throat and said I took what didn’t belong to me.

You mean you stole? Hope you won’t be stealing my undies and stuffs, hahaha!She laughed. I was joking, unlike you, am here for helping my boyfriend kidnap a rich guy for ransom. Tom told me the guy was a rich miser who took advantage of people then bragged about it. Anyway, we got caught and here I am serving nine years, I’ve done two.

Fimi had forgotten she was still carrying her basket, Sally called her attention to it then she put it down gently and sat in the only chair in the cell. She wanted to ask so many questions seeing that her cellmate is outspoken and blunt.

Who are this Tigress Gang you mentioned and why do I have to be afraid of them? asked Fimi.

Good questions responded Sally. You and I have the hope of seeing the real world again in less than a decade; they will still have to wait two decades and more before they walk into a supermarket. For that reason, they envy you with so much passion and would want to inflict some of their mental pain on you and they have a subtle and accurate way of doing that.

I pity them, what is it like living here and doing the same thing over and over again? Fimi asked.

Sally looked straight into her eyes, It feels like dying, when you’re confined to a space, denied your rights, made to feel guilty for the mistakes you made, caged like an animal and not having free access to your loved ones. Fimi, you feel you’re on the other side of the world where the grace of GOD has departed. You will understand what am saying after you’ve spent 365 days in here.

Fimi looked at her with her mouth wide open, her hands and feet began trembling, she began with a sob, within seconds, she was wailing uncontrollably, cursing Jojo for putting her in this mess.

Sally only stared at Fimi while she wailed, she said Cry it out girl, it’ll make you feel better. When you’re tired, you’ll sleep off, but remember not to snore.

How can I sleep in this place? Am a nervous wreck, my emotions are out of control, I can’t live like this!

Sally sighed and replied We all said that when we first came in here but we adapted. You will too. Go to sleep, dinner will be in two hours time.

Fimi took to the advice. She was exhausted and badly in need of sleep. She took the bedspread and pillow case in her basket and laid her bed then climbed awkwardly to the top bunk. Within five

Reviews for Truth Underneath the Surface

[BookySmart · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Full of suspense and the flow was right. I couldn't help but marvel at the brilliant story line.