Chapter 90: A Creative Block and a Heartfelt Conversation
1828words
She felt her creativity become different, like a painting that once had many colours and deep emotions but now looked empty. No new ideas came to her mind; only a blank and lonely space remained. It was like the darkness in her home making her feel that creative ideas had disappeared.
Dapo saw she was worried, and he became quieter than usual. He spent many hours in his studio and came out just for quick meals. Eki knows he is worried, but she also feels a widening gap between them. Their once close friendship now seems different, with a careful distance replacing their former closeness.
Eki was sitting in her studio when she suddenly heard someone knocking on the door. She lifted her head to see who it could be - it turned out that Dapo was there. Right away, surprise and curiosity came to her face. His eyes seemed worried but determined to find answers.
"Can we talk?" he asked.
Eki nodded, her voice barely a whisper.
They both go to their places on different sides of the room. The room is quiet and peaceful, and then Dapo starts to speak.
"I know we are in an unusual situation," he began, looking a bit uncertain. "And I see it's not only because of you, but I sense there's some gap that is growing between us."
Eki nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "I know," she whispered. "I'm sorry."
"It's not about blame," Dapo said gently. "It's about understanding."
Eki felt her throat slowly getting tight. She had a strong desire to tell him everything - the dangers and how Kunle was involved in all of this; but at the same time, she feared dragging him into her problems too.
Dapo, come close and take her hand. "Eki, I feel like something is wrong." You can speak to me about it." We're partners, remember?"
Eki's hand became tight. "I don't want you to be involved in this," she said, her voice shaking.
"I'm not afraid," Dapo replied. "I'm here for you."
Eki felt not sure but took a deep breath and told him about someone breaking into her house. She explains in detail about a strange person and feels even more scared. Dapo listened very carefully, his face showing big worry.
When she finished, there was a long silence. Finally, Dapo spoke.
"This is no joke, Eki," he said with a stern face. "We need to discover who did this."
Eki also felt very relaxed. She liked having somebody to assist her in lessening the load.
"But, we cannot let it control everything," Dapo says. "We need to find ways to manage our personal life and work life better."
Eki agreed. "I know," she said. "I've been struggling with my art lately."
Dapo agreed with a nod. "I have noticed this too. Sometimes, we must take a rest from big jobs and do small, fun things.
Eki smiled, liking this idea. She considered it as a possible nice change. Perhaps changing her surroundings could help her find inspiration again.
They talked, and it seemed like some connection was returning. It felt a bit like peeling layers away, revealing the softness within.
"I am so scared," Eki spoke in a very soft voice, almost like it was gone. "I fear much that I could lose you and all the work we do together."
Dapo took her hand. "I'm scared too," he said. "But I am staying here. Us working together is very important to me, and you are also valuable."
Eki, they keep hope within their hearts. Maybe there still exists a way to manage this tough situation and prevent everything from falling apart. They might discover how to manage both their personal life and the art dream.
When they start to talk more, suddenly the lights blink and then go out. In that quick moment of fear, Eki holds Dapo's hand very tight while her heart beats fast in her chest.
A shadow moved in the dim light, a shape coming out from the room's corner. Eki felt cold fear run down through their body. The shape was looking the same; it seemed to be the cloaked person who had sneaked into their house before.
When Eki saw a dark shape show up, her heart started to beat quickly. Dapo was beside her and from how he stood, it looked like he prepared himself for anything that could happen next. The person moved with deliberation and slowness, their eyes glowing in the dimness.
'It's over," the figure said, their voice a chilling whisper.
Eki and Dapo exchanged scared glances. They knew this moment would come, but they did not expect it to happen like this. The figure approached, its hand moving towards something concealed beneath the cloak.
'Don't move," Dapo warned, his voice low and menacing.
The person does not speak, but their hand comes out from the cloak. They are holding something made of metal – a gun. Eki's breath got stuck in her throat. This was it. The end.
The person raised the gun, finger ready to shoot. Eki and Dapo stopped like they became statues, their bodies filled with tension. The room stayed quiet, only the sound of a ticking clock could be heard—it felt like a nonstop reminder of something that cannot be avoided.
Just when the person was ready to do it, a loud noise came from the other side of the apartment. It sounded like some glass had broken. Eki and Dapo exchanged optimistic gazes with each other. Someone was here.
The figure changed their focus, no longer looking at Eki and Dapo. They began to walk towards the direction of the noise, in a silent room where each step sounded very loud.
Eki and Dapo see this as a big opportunity. They walk close to the door, their hearts beating very loudly inside them. Leaving now was necessary.
When they walked close to the door, a soft noise from another room came to their ears – it sounded like two people were fighting. Eki and Dapo looked at each other quickly before opening the door and stepping into the hallway.
Running down very quickly, breathing hard. They must get out and find help. But at the bottom of the stairs, a surprising sight was waiting for them.
At the end of the hallway, two masked people stopped us. When we looked at each other, Eki and Dapo felt cold fear; there was no escape for us.
Eki and Dapo were like stones. Their hearts were pounding so fast. Two people with masks enter the hallways. There is no way to escape from this dark place now. Only a little bit of light comes from emergency lights, making strange shadows on the walls.
One of the masked individuals, whose voice sounded soft because of their mask, answered with: "No destination."
Dapo stood in front, his body tight. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The masked people glanced at each other fast. One of them said, "You do need to know."
Eki felt a sudden fear. They were caught, trapped with no way out. Those who wore masks came closer, their steps echoing in the silent corridor.
"We do not want to hurt you," one of them said, voice trying to sound nice. "Just work with us, and it ends fast."
Eki and Dapo exchanged glances full of worry. They were aware of these people; their reputation was difficult, and it was clear they had arrived with a specific purpose in mind.
"What do you want?" Dapo asked again, his voice steady despite the fear.
The people wearing masks stopped and seemed to be thinking about whether they should reply or not. After some time, one person from their group began to talk.
"We want what you have," they said.
Eki and Dapo exchanged glances, confused. They did not have anything valuable with them, no treasures or costly items that could attract attention from armed robbers.
"What are you talking about?" Dapo asked, trying to sound confident.
The masked people glance at each other, and one of them moves closer. This person puts their hand into the pocket and pulls out a small, rectangular thing.
"This," they said, holding up the device. "We want this."
Eki felt very sad in her heart. She recognized this item clearly; it is a trial version of their new app—an advanced technology that might change how the music industry works.
"How did you get that?" Dapo asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
The masked figures smirked. "We know people," one of them replied.
Eki and Dapo shared a glance full of big concern. They must find an answer; they cannot allow these people to run away with their efforts.
Eki and Dapo exchanged glances filled with concern, realizing they must not allow these people to seize their invention. It meant the world to them; it was their lifelong dream. But they were outnumbered and outgunned.
When all seemed done, Eki's eyes saw something on the floor. It is a small ceramic vase given to her by her grandmother. The sense of helplessness gave her an idea.
She grabs the vase and hurls it, her movement as quick as a flash. The vase shatters with a loud noise, scattering fragments of ceramic all around. The obstructed vision causes them to step back.
In a fast moment, Dapo jumped and ran to the person with a hidden face. They both fell together, fighting for control of the gun.
Eki used the confusion to her benefit. She started to run fast towards the main door, feeling her heart pound strongly in her chest. She had to escape, and find help.
Just as she was about to reach the door knob, a cold hand grabbed her arm. She turned and saw the masked person she had hit with a vase earlier. The face of this person was now hidden by a mask showing lots of anger.
"You won't get away," they growled, their voice filled with menace.
At that time, she almost got pulled back in when a huge noise came from behind. First, there was a big sound like something breaking apart, and then it mixed with gunfire noises and someone yelling.
Eki and the person with the mask turned their heads to where the noise came from. By the doorway, someone was standing whose face remained in the shadows. They had a gun pointed towards those wearing masks.
"Drop your weapons," the figure commanded, their voice cold and authoritative.
