THE WORLD IS A MESS// Short story by Muheez Olawale

 "ACP Fayeni is here." Your gaze flies up from the report you’re was writing. Surprise flashes across your face, immediately followed by frustration. You spring to his feet before you can control his legs. "What is he doing here?" you ask the constable who has come to relay the information to you. The constable gawps at you. You already know the answer to the question which he had asked. You sigh exasperatedly, asking yourself inwardly if the world is always operated this way. ACP Fayeni, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, saunters into the airless reception, followed by an inspector who carries an assault rifle. ‘Suave’ is the perfect word to describe ACP Fayeni’s look in his neatly ironed police uniform complemented by dark glasses. As he hurries towards you with his shoes tapping the floor rhythmically, you become conscious of yourself. You know your uniform, as well as your shoes, is a bit rough due to your undesirable financial predicament. You only wish your salaries for the past six months has been paid. With a smirk, ACP Fayeni stops at the counter behind which you stand. "Hey, Tony. How do you do?" You look away, suddenly finding breathing arduous. You would rather say nothing. Expectedly, the Divisional Police Officer of your police station scurries into the reception from his office.

"Good day, my ACP," the DPO sings, saluting repeatedly. "Oh! DPO Peter, my man!" ACP Fayeni beams as he exchanges a handshake with the DPO. "So what's going on here?" he asks, still smiling pretentiously.

"No, sir" the DPO replies, quite ruffled, though faking smiles like ACP Fayeni, "nothing much is really happening. Just our normal low-key business." "Really?" the smile on ACP Fayeni's face slowly disappears, "Is arresting Gunner also part of your normal low-key business?" "No, sir," the DPO replies awkwardly.

ACP Fayeni removes his glasses and he looks straight at the DPO’s eyes. "So tell me what Gunner is doing in your cell." The DPO stutters, "Tony arrested him, not me. It wasn’t my order. He probably doesn’t know much about Gunner, sir."

Sharply, ACP Fayeni faces you. "So you now arrest people against your DPO's directives, don't you?"

You blurts, "I serve the society and not the DPO." "Really?" ACP Fayeni cackles for moments, before he asks, "okay, I understand. But why have I been asking you to release him to my boys and yet you refuse?"

"His case is not under your jurisdiction." "Really? Are you teaching my job now?" "Actually, I'm arranging for him to face the court. So there's no need…" "Shut up!" ACP Fayeni yells, interrupting Tony. "Do you know the meaning of what you're doing? DPO, don't you lecture this young, overzealous boy?" The DPO scurried to Tony. "Tony, you have to release Gunner. His crimes might be heavy but you can’t arrest him. His offences go far beyond us. I told you already. Prosecuting him shall affect a lot of men in the higher-ups, so he can't be arrested." "No one is above the law, even the highest-ups." The DPO was frustrated. "Tony, you have to understand. Gunner works for a lot of politicians. If he appears in court, you’ll die, I’ll die, and even Gunner and every other person related to this case will die." “Ask him if he’s ready to die?” ACP Fayeni fumes. "Bullshit,” you mutter.

ACP Fayeni moved closer to you, leaving only an inch between your faces. You both could feel the heat of their tensed breaths. "Detective Anthony Ikonne, the people Gunner works for, they can kill you right now and every person who you share the same blood with. You’re ready for that?" Your skin crawls. You goggles at both ACP Fayeni and the DPO.

"Where's the key to Gunner's cell?" queries ACP Fayeni. "Tony, give him the key." DPO says rather pleadingly. You gave it no much thought before you bring out the key and he hand it over to ACP Fayeni who tosses it to the DPO. "Go bring him." DPO dashes into the passage that leads to the cells. You bite your lower lip irritatedly. Just two days ago, you have been ecstatic about catching Gunner, the most wanted fraudster nationwide. And you had sworn that you would do all you can to make sure he faces the wrath of the law. However, this situation seems to be above you. Gunner struts into the reception, grinning. You grimaces. DPO who has wordlessly followed him in signals at you to be calm. ACP Fayeni eyes Gunner and shakes his head. “Just get out of here, man.” Gunner chuckles, shrugs, and jogs out of the police station. ACP Fayeni nods a “thank you” at you and the DPO. Only the DPO smiles back in response.

You almost cry when you remember how much efforts you have heaped on getting Gunner. Was it the sleepless nights? Or was it the restless days? Now, all your efforts went down the drain because of some ruthless money-gobbling people in the higher-ups. You glance at the DPO who shrugs. "You should be used to this by now. Gunner wouldn’t have been so notorious unless he has some large rocks he could rely on. Crazy bastards that obstruct justice! Every day might be for the thief, but one day is surely for the owner!" DPO's words make an ineffable feeling surge through you. Your lips shiver. Then you bite yourself to restrain the outburst. But it is beyond control. You find yourself yelling."The world is a mess!"

©️Muheez Olawale 

Muheez Olawale is a Nigerian writer whose restless pen bathes in inky ocean of eloquence. He took the second position in the tertiary poetry category of the 2023 NIMC Identity Day Competition. His piece titled "One Chance" is forthcoming in Muse Journal.