Olunne

By Maryann Duru

Olunne; an exceptional student, photographer and cinematographer. She loves her job and her collegues but dislikes her Boss. Her life changes forever when her boss sends her on a trip and on her way back, she takes the biggest risk of her life. The trip marks the beginning of her destiny and gives her the answers to her long lasting questions, which helps her find the missing puzzle in her family. Her curiousity eventually leads to having memories of the events not experienced.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maryann Duru
• Release date: Dec 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005968205

Maryann Duru

Maryann Duru is a young, intriguing and prolific writer from Nigeria. She began writing at the age of 19, during her free time as an undergraduate in the university. She writes books that encourage and inspire both the young and old, books spiced up with a lot of drama, culture, comedy and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seats. She is a multi-talented and multi-dimensional lady, a lover of nature, who loves to express herself and her thoughts in many forms, especially through her books.

Book preview

OLUNNE

Mother’s voice

A short story by

MARYANN DURU

Copyright 2020 Maryann Duru.

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes.

Thank you for downloading this e-book. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed reading this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

The events written in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to any person, institution or events is merely coincidental.

Prologue

The cast and crew were in a bedroom, shooting a scene on a set of a movie in Imo State, Nigeria. Two cameras were rolling at their strategic points while the actors were in motion. The crew members, Nonso, Paul, Brown, Chinedu, Alex and Claudia- all in their twenties -stood behind the camera, watching the actors.

The producer, Mildred John, a dark-skinned chubby woman in her late-thirties, walked into the room looking furious and disappointed, she exclaimed,

Cut! Cut! What the hell is going on here? She asked, Nonso, is this what I paid you for? Do they look like the couple you want to be? She continued to ask, pointing at the actors, No. why? Because they look homeless.

I’m sorry ma. Nonso apologized.

Immediately, her phone rang. She looked at her phone and then looked at Nonso, Fix it! She ordered and picked up her phone call, Hello Ireti, She said, walking out of the room.

Moments later, Mildred walked back into the room, she looked around and saw Nonso adjusting the actor’s costumes, Where is Claudia? she asked.

She’s in the toilet ma. Alex replied.

The toilet? Claudia! Claudia! Mildred yelled.

Yes ma! Claudia responded, running out of the toilet.

What do you think you are doing? Mildred asked.

Claudia replied, Um, the director told us to take five and I was pressed, so I decided to_

Shut up! Mildred spat, You are always trying to defend yourself. It’s almost midnight, let’s shoot this last scene and wrap it up.

Okay ma, Claudia replied.

Get back to work! Mildred ordered.

Yes ma. Claudia said.

As Claudia walked back to the camera stand, she tripped and immediately supported herself with a chair that stood close by, got up and continued walking.

Pathetic. Mildred sighed.

Claudia Olunne Nwaeze; a 20-year-old girl from Enugu state, Nigeria. She is light skinned, curvy and beautiful with really long eye lashes and a very curly hair, which some people admired and others envied. Claudia was born and raised in Abuja, Nigeria, the last born and only girl in a family of six. Her father, Allison Nwaeze, is a typical Igbo man while her mother, Rashida, is a Lebanese-Nigerian. Claudia is focused and driven, a final year student studying Sociology at Imo State University, while working part-time with a production company as a cinematographer and a photographer.

Chapter 1

Claudia was sleeping graciously on her bed when her phone rang loudly. She woke up, searched for her phone, which she found in her bag pack and picked up.

Hey girl! What’s up? Varia, Claudia’s course mate spoke aloud over the phone.

Hi Varia. Claudia replied in a sleepy voice.

What’s wrong? You sound weird. Varia said.

You woke me up. Claudia replied, rubbing her eyes with her hand vigorously. A habit she had cultivated in her childhood.

It’s 11:00am and you are still sleeping? Varia asked.

I finished shooting late and I got to my room early this morning. Claudia replied, yawning quietly.

Sorry, but you have to come to school immediately. Like, right now. Varia said.

Why? Claudia asked, still drowning in sleep.

Professor Aniebu’s test starts in twenty minutes. Varia said.

Test? Claudia asked as she sat up on her bed with her eyes wide open, It’s Wednesday already? Oh! I’m so exhausted. Thank you, I’ll call you when I get to school. She added.

Okay, see ya! Varia said and hung up.

Oooh! Why did this test decide to hold today of all days? Claudia said as she hissed and walked sluggishly to the bathroom.

~~~

Claudia got to school just in time for the test and after the test, she met Varia in the lecture hall.

Varia! She called out.

Claudia, I’m glad you made it. Varia said, hugging Claudia.

Thanks for calling me this morning. Claudia said.

You’re welcome, have you done your project assignment? Varia asked.

What assignment? Claudia asked.

I sent it to you as an email last week. Varia said.

Okay, I’ll check it out. Claudia said.

It is due on Friday you will have to type it and print it out before then. Varia said.

Claudia sighed, More work, I’ll do it before Friday.’

Are you sure? Varia asked.

Yes, don’t worry, I’ve got this. Claudia said, I have to get going.

Already? Varia asked.

I’ve had a stressful couple of days, I just want to go home and rest. See you on Friday.

Okay, bye. Varia replied.

~~~

On Friday morning, Claudia was in a cybercafé in her school, printing out her assignment when Anita and Precious, the popular gossips, walked up to her. They were a little plump, average heighted and shared almost the same shade of skin colour. Anita and Precious had been close friends since their first year in the university, they have always envied Claudia because of her looks and her graces, they felt like she was a threat to them. They sometimes spat negative comments at Claudia to mask their insecurities and to shield their crumbling self-esteem. Claudia knew how they felt and decided to always mind her business.

Hi Claudia. Precious said, as she walked into the cybercafé.

Hi. Claudia replied, looking at them with a straight face.

We heard you missed the quiz yesterday and you lost ten marks, that’s so unfortunate. Precious said.

Very unfortunate. Anita added.

So? Claudia asked, I heard you guys have started minding your businesses. She added, being sarcastic.

Oh please! You are not all that. Precious said, rolling her eyes.

Claudia looked at the both of them, I wouldn’t dare, it must take talent to share a brain.

What’s going on? Varia asked, walking into the cybercafé.

Oh! Here is the almighty Varia trying to defend her friend. Anita said.

As always. Precious added.

Varia said, Claudia, are you done printing your project? Let’s get going.

No need, we were just leaving. Precious said, leaving with Anita.

Better! I just can’t stand them. Varia said with disgust written all over her face.

Just ignore them. Oh yeah! That reminds me, can I ask you for a huge favour? Claudia asked, smiling.

What is it? Varia asked.

Please, I need you to cover up for me next week, I have an event to shoot in Enugu state. Claudia said.

Oh! Not again. Varia complained.

Please_ Claudia pleaded.

Okay, fine. Varia agreed.

Thanks a lot, Claudia said, hugging her, You are the best course mate ever.

They finished from the cyber-café and headed back to class.

Chapter 2

The following week, Claudia travelled to Enugu State with the crew to shoot an event. They got to Enugu the day before the event, to prepare and set things up. The shoot was successful, the crew members worked very hard to put in their best. The crew members travelled together, back to Imo State by road with the company driver while Mildred and Chinedu- Mildred’s brother/ assistant, stayed back in Enugu State.

While they were travelling, they were all chatting when Paul said,

Thank God this shoot has ended.

"Guy, this is the best