Road To Hegemony

PROLOGUE, CH3: KOLA BALOGUN

Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations [UTME] every year. Their performance determines the university they can get into. Thus, each candidate strives to get as high marks as possible to secure a place in their chosen school.

This year, Kola Balogun was one of these candidates. He had just finished his exams and was walking out of the centre.

“I’m so tired." He said while stretching his body. “The exam took more out of me than I expected. Though I am confident that I will pass the exam, I just hope I get enough marks to get into the university.”

He looked at the sunny sky, “Let’s go home.”

He walked forward a bit, only to arrive at the canteen on the premises. Smelling the aroma coming from the canteen, he felt his stomach grumble.

‘Well, I guess I can get something to eat before going home.’ He thought as he walked in.

He met a short queue which he joined. After waiting for a few minutes, it was his turn. He asked for rice and beef soup. After getting his order, he found a table to sit and eat. After finishing his meal, he sat for a bit to enjoy his soft drink. Just as he looked up from his drink, he saw a man in a suit walk up to him.

“May I have a seat?” Said the man while pointing to the sit opposite Kola across the table.

“Sure, no problem”  Kola responded.

The man sat down and brought out a book to read. Kola looked at the man and thought to himself, 'The feeling the guy gives off. He is military! He probably just got back from active service too otherwise, with how well he hides it, I wouldn’t have noticed.’

Of course, ordinary people would not have noticed this but because of Kola’s family background, he can’t be considered ‘ordinary’.

‘From the way he is dressed, nobody would ever link him to the military. He is more like a businessman. Oh well, it’s not my problem’ thought Kola Balogun as he went back to enjoying his drink.

“Excuse me” Suddenly said the man in the suit as he closed his book. “Do you know what ‘bookmarks of history’ are?”

Surprised by the sudden question, Kola was stunned for a moment. He looks at the man, only to find him staring at him as if expecting an answer to his question.

Without knowing why, Kola replied seriously after some thought, "Bookmarks of History are the people, places, or events that chart the course of history as we know it. Without them, history as we know it would change. For example, Adolf Hitler is a bookmark of History. World War 2 is a major event in history and without Hitler, it might not have happened.”

”Wonderful answer!” said the man with a low-sounding clap. He interlocked his fingers and placed his head on them. “Let’s say history is a record of fate or a book of destiny. Then, what should we call the people or events that influence these bookmarks?” asked the man.

Kola Balogun folded his arms and closed his eyes to think of an answer. The man just kept looking at him while smiling. After a while, Kola opened one eye and jokingly said “You wouldn’t be thinking of calling them ‘hands of destiny or fate’, would you?”

“Hmmm...  Hands of destiny huh” mumbled the man.

‘What? He isn’t considering it, is he?’ thought Kola in shock

“Then, would you like to be a hand of destiny?” The man asked. Once again the man shocked Kola with his question.

'Is this guy trying to make sure I get a heart attack?' thought Kola. After taking a deep breath to calm himself, he asked the man in a suit "What do you mean?"

"Your younger brother will be a bookmark in history. But as for if he will be good or bad depends on you, his hand of destiny. How good or bad your relationship with him is will determine what he becomes. That been said, always remember this warning: Outside of your family, he must never display whatever gifts he has until his trials begin. Until then, he must achieve only the bare minimum expected of a member of your family in public." replied the man.

“What do you mean by trial? Wait, I don’t even have a younger sibling”

“When his trial begins, he might do something unexpected or ask you for something equally unexpected or both. That’s all I can tell you. You MUST support him and help him if you want things to go well. Also, take note, how much help you can render, how much of a ‘hand’ you are, depends on how much influence you have. So, while he stays in the shadows, you must attract the light.” said the man.

 After a short pause to look at his watch, he smiles and says, "As for whether you have a brother or not. He should have come in being by now. So, you have a brother as of now."

Kola could only stare at the man in a daze, wondering if the man was having a mental breakdown or not. He looked fine on the surface though. This continued until his phone started to ring. It was a call from his father. He quickly answered “Hello sir”

“Your mother and I will be out late tonight, I had to take her to the hospital. So, take care of the house. You can also prepare a small dinner for us.” Said Senior Detective Balogun

“Hope no problem sir?” asked Kola

"It's been taken care of. She fainted early this morning just after you left. I took her to the hospital and tests show that she is pregnant. Anyway, take care of the house. I have to be with your mother. We will discuss this when I get home. Bye.” said Senior Detective Balogun, cutting the call.

Kola was frozen with eyes wide open when he heard what his father had just said. He stared at the man in front of him. Just as Kola was about to speak, the man looked at his watch

“It's about time I get going. This is goodbye.” said the man. He stood up and walked towards the door.

Kola finally snapped out of his daze and quickly asked, “Who are you?” The man turned around to look at him but he didn’t answer. He merely had a mysterious smile on his face. The man brought out a small box from his inner suit pocket and threw it to Kola. Kola opened it and found a ring in it.

“Always wear it, it will save you from a fatal attack once a day.” said the man. He turned back and walked out the door. Kola quickly ran after him but by the time he made it out the door. The man had disappeared.

Kola once more entered a daze as he stood in front of the canteen. This encounter with the mysterious man is one he won’t ever forget. Especially because throughout the conversation, Kola felt a sense of familiarity with the man. This was why he subconsciously conversed with him.

Onikan Hospital

A few moments earlier...

“Bad news? What do you mean by bad news?” asked Senior Detective Balogun, clearly on edge

“There is a high probability we might lose the mother or the child during birth.” replied Dr. Maja.