Road To Hegemony

Africa, Nigeria, Lagos, Obalende Police Estate In one of the four-bedroom flats of the estate, Police Senior Detective Babatunde Balogun lived with his wife and his son. As a scion of the Balogun family, he was groomed to take a position in the nation’s Security-Defence forces. At the age of 24, he decided to join the police force to do his part in bringing justice to the common masses. After almost twenty years of service, he had risen up the ranks to Senior Detective. With his intellect and deductive abilities, he had quickly earned a lot of merit by solving quite a number of difficult cases. He even became a sort of poster boy for the Lagos Police Command and was recommended numerous times for promotion to key administrative positions in the command. However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, he turned it down every time. His reason? “I want to actively keep the oath I made when I join the force… to serve the masses and deliver justice. I feel I can do this best by being in the field and not behind a desk” Hence why he remained ‘just’ a Senior Detective. Senior Detective Balogun was in the master bedroom putting on his tie when his wife, Shade Balogun, walked in. She moved to sit at the edge of the bed which was positioned in the center of the room from the door. Mrs. Balogun silently watched her husband, who was dressing up in front of a mirror to the side of the room, from behind. Like other male members of the Balogun family, he could only be considered barely above average in handsomeness but he exuded an aura that attracted people to him and they can’t help but pay attention to him. He stood at a height of 182cm with a thin but not so toned muscular physique which combined with his unique aura to give him an air of confidence and authority.  “This was probably why I fell for him.” She mumbled Realizing his wife was behind him, he turned to her, “You are looking as beautiful as the first day I met you.” Compared to him, Mrs. Balogun is a true beauty. So beautiful in fact that Senior Detective Balogun and those around them agree that she was way above his league in terms of looks. Combined with her beauty, was her prominent frontal asset that further added to her charm. That being said, Senior Detective Balogun believes that this wasn’t why he was attracted to her but rather their shared drive for public service and the defense of the innocent even though they walked different carriers wherein he was a police officer and she was, primarily, a criminal defence lawyer. A very good one at that. Like him, she was also preparing for work. She was dress in a female black suit with a white blouse which somewhat vaguely revealed her figure and enhanced her charm. She chuckled in response, “Don’t think you can avoid the topic with a compliment. So, what have you decided?” Senior Detective Balogun stayed silent for a while before sighing, “It’s a difficult decision for me. On one hand, joining the Department of State Security(DSS) will allow me to continue to stay in the field but it also means I can be posted anywhere in the country. I can’t ask you to leave everything you know behind and come with me if that’s the case. Neither do I want our family to be separated. On the other hand, if I stay in the police force, I would have to accept the promotion to captain of Lagos Island zonal headquarters. This pretty much means I would be relegated to a desk job, which I don’t want.” The D.S.S, being the Federal law enforcement agency, can post its staff anywhere all over the country depending on the job and their expertise. “What a dilemma you have.” Mrs. Balogun responded sarcastically. “Do you know how many people want to be in your shoes right now? I didn’t think I would see the day when you would be indecisive.” Senior Detective Balogun has a wry smile on his face, “I’m being serious you know. This is a decision between my beliefs and our family. How can you expect the decision to be easy for me?” He then looked at his wife with a raised eyebrow, “Can you not behave like this doesn’t concern you.” Mrs. Balogun lightly chuckled and stood up. She walked to her husband and wrapped her arms around his neck. She said, "You are making a big deal out of this. I have been your wife for more than eighteen years and we have been together for longer. I can tell that you want the D.S.S job. Then let me make it easy for you. Kola, our son, has gone to sit for his JAMB exam today and will be entering a university in less than a year. So, if you take the job and you are posted elsewhere, we can just get him a hostel to live in, on or close to campus. He can always join us wherever we are when he is on holiday.” Surprised, Senior Detective Balogun replied, "Is that okay? What about you?" Mrs. Shade Balogun said, “Why isn’t it OK? Don’t tell me you expected him to only consider universities in Lagos? Or do you expect him to go to school from home?” Hearing this, Senior Detective Balogun was stunned, he had forgotten about this. Mrs. Balogun continued, “As for me, not to brag but I’m a well-renowned lawyer in the country. I can set up shop anywhere. Besides, you might not be posted away. So, Baba Kola, don't worry and stress yourself over this." Senior Detective Balogun didn’t know what to say. This was a big sacrifice on his wife’s part. Contrary to what she said, he knew how difficult it would be to develop new connections wherever he is posted. It definitely wasn’t going to be easy. Senior Detective Balogun took a breath and raised his hand to rub her cheeks causing Mrs. Balogun to blush as she smiled. Then he kissed her. When their lips separated, he said “Thank You.” This was all he could say. With his knowledge of her, she is a strong independent woman. So, for her to say this much, she had made up her mind and nothing could change that. Not that he would want to. Mrs. Balogun smiled so happily like nothing could take this moment away from her. Alas, she suddenly felt weak all over her body. She started falling. Thankfully, Senior Detective Balogun caught her. Everything went black. All she could hear was her husband calling her name. “Iya Kola! Iya Kola!! Shade!! Shade!!! ” She blacked out and fainted.