Read Online Taduno's Song by Odafe Atogun - Free Book Online Page A

energy.
    â€˜Yes?’
    â€˜Who is it you are looking for?’ the man queried, in a quite educated voice.
    Taduno hesitated, surprised that the man spoke such good English. ‘An old friend of mine,’ he replied.
    â€˜The one for whom you played your guitar?’
    â€˜Yes.’ Taduno relaxed, seeing that the man was not out to mug him. ‘His name is TK.’
    â€˜TK, the music producer?’
    Taduno stopped in his stride and turned to face the man. ‘You know TK?’ He was awash with excitement.
    â€˜Yes, I know him.’
    â€˜And who are you?’
    â€˜I’m nobody, just a homeless man.’
    Taduno looked away.
    â€˜And you say you know TK?’
    â€˜Oh yes. He slept at the square with the rest of us last night.’
    â€˜He did?’
    â€˜Yes, he did. He comes and goes. I didn’t see him today, but I’m sure he will come back. Come again tomorrow, and bring your guitar with you. Your music is very good.’
    Taduno nodded. ‘Thank you.’
    He tipped the man some money. Then he continued to the bus stop, stopping once to look back.
    *
    He slept on the bus, until the voice of a twelve-year-old conductor woke him up at his stop. He got off the bus with his guitar dangling from his back.
    It was an unusually quiet night; he saw no one about. He walked in quick long strides, slowing down when he got to his street. As he walked down the deserted street, accompanied by the echoes of his own footsteps, he noted that there were one or two houses still with lights on, and he suspected that somebody was watching him. At first he thought that somebody was Aroli, but he soon sensed that the eyes watching him were those of an unfriendly stranger and he became tense with fear. He threw quick looks over his shoulder to be sure no one was following him. Then he jogged the remaining distance to his house.
    It wasn’t until he was in the safety of his house that he began to relax. Without turning the light on he went to the window, up in his rehearsal room, and he parted the curtains slightly and peeped into the street. He did not detect any movement, but he knew, without any shadow of doubt, that somebody was out there.
    His fear was confirmed the following morning when Aroli came banging on his door as early as seven o’clock; not with a smile on his face, but with a worried look.
    â€˜Where were you all day yesterday?’ Aroli asked.
    â€˜Out searching for TK. Why do you look so worried?’
    â€˜A stranger came asking questions about you yesterday,’ Aroli replied.
    â€˜Come, let’s go upstairs,’ he said hurriedly, and led Aroli to his rehearsal room.
    â€˜What did the stranger look like and what sort of questions did he ask?’ He scrutinised Aroli’s face in the same manner he had scrutinised the faces of the homeless men at TBS the previous night.
    â€˜Tall and broad-shouldered,’ Aroli replied. ‘He wanted to know about the relationship between you and TK. He didn’t get any useful information, though.’
    Suddenly Taduno understood. He let out a deep sigh.
    â€˜Somebody must have reported to the authorities,’ he said. ‘It could be any of TK’s neighbours. They warned me that they don’t want any more trouble with the government.’
    â€˜But how did the stranger manage to trace you here?’
    Taduno rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘He must have conducted his enquiries well.’
    Aroli’s face creased into a frown. He looked away from Taduno. ‘I understand the man questioned Lela’s parents, and even Judah. Everyone thinks he is secret service, and they’re all getting worried. I think you should stop going about with your guitar. Nobody wants any trouble with government here either.’ He turned to look at the guitar in a corner of the room.
    â€˜I don’t think that is wise. It’s clear they are already watching me. If I stop going about