TITLE :THE MOMENT
It's funny how things happen in a twinkle of eye to give raise to new events, I ran with my bundle in my hands my flat slippers slapping the tarred road. I knew, this was my moment and even though I felt a sharp pang in my side, I had to keep going. There wasn’t much time, they could still see me in the pitch dark night and then there would be nothing left, only death.
They call me Ama.Mother often said I was beautiful, although that compliment came when she was in a good mood or strong enough, those days were now less;the ailment had eaten into her, making her a mere heap of bones. The doctors said there was no cure, only after making a way with every last penny. Father had already gone even before then, a lingering shadow from whom I got my height and dark skin, in his absence I sprouted into womanhood at an early age of thirteen.
My beauty bloomed like a flower. Every one noticed especially the men. She also noticed;Madam Joy, a regal woman, no one knew much about her, she was however a breath of fresh air in a town which had lost most of its past glory. It wouldn’t be long before she would pay us a visit, filling our humble abode with her nice-smelling expensive perfume. "I'm a philanthropist" She boasted at every opportunity, "I am giving scholarship to young brilliant girls “she smiled bringing to light a gold teeth, gesturing with well manicured fingers adorned with gold rings. Mother was very happy, I was excited, out of all the girls, I had been chosen. If only I knew what awaited me, I would have cried and refused her offer but therein lay my mistake for in that moment, I only saw the bliss in free education and a path laid out by this woman, my saving grace.
Our arrival to Lagos was a jolt to reality; I had left my simple town in Imo to stay among strangers with alien tongue, I clutched at Madam Joy as we alighted the bus. An SUV parked discretely in Motor Park was waiting for us. We drove in silence through busy streets leagues more developed than my town, along the road I searched for schools, seeing none I concluded in my childish mind that the school I would attend was in a far place.
After an hour long drive, we arrived at a building tucked away in a rather secluded area, entering a fortress like house, we were eager welcomed by people the servants I presumed who took our luggages in.
"Take her to her room” Madam Joy instructed as she climbed a stairs “she is one of us now”
‘When would I start schooling’ I asked innocently, the people around laughed, I still hear their voices ,how naïve and silly I must have sounded. Madam Joy didn’t seem amused, I smiled happily,she would tell them about the scholarship and my plans to sturdy but atlas, Madam joy my guardian angel turned into a stranger before my eyes ,she barked when she spoke, her voice laced with insult
“Drop that novel idea foolish girl!, you are here to work. Bayo, take here away!”
Days, months rolled by,each day leaving with a pierce of my soul. I felt betrayed by Madam Joy, by mother, why couldn’t she see into the deception, sending her fourteen year old daughter with a stranger. I felt the full pang of betrayal each day, it no longer hurt like the first time, the day the crude fellow who smelt like tobacco pierced me, tearing me in half and stealing my innocence. Even though I fought, my screams echoed only in the room. Madam Joy gave me a good wiping for losing a customer. I fell sick afterwards, the doctor was called, “it's just fever "he announced, let her rest for some days I didn’t hear other things he said, I passed out more from the news than the fever, death was the best option.
It was a blessing in disguise, left on the bed to reprobate; I planned my escape, away from the house of Sodom, away from the slimy men and sick women, far from madam Joy and her devious ways. My moment came sure enough
Even as I ran, along the lonely path, I thought of home, Mother! The bundle in my hands roused, her innocent voice broke the silent! Bisi's baby, she had been my only companion in hell, despite Madam Joys portions, she had gotten pregnant, giving birth to a baby girl. No one knew Madam joys plans for the child to have let her live. A visible scared Bisi had given the child to me, banking on my survival for her daughter as well .
I must hurry; I have said much, my pursers are draw to the voice of the child like moth to a flame. I saw it then, a bar at the edge of Sodom’s street and an open truck beside it, the driver was discussing with the bar tender. I stole into the truck, rocking baby gently as I sat behind a crate of drinks. My side hurt more now I wasn’t running. I felt wetness when I touched it, my hand covered in blood. I had been shot!
As the truck moved, I knew, even as I hummed with my last strength, tomorrow, the body of a little girl would be found with a baby. It would all lead back to Madam Joy, the gig would be up. Baby would be saved too, I Sigh weary, the pain is now numb, I hear mother calling, she speaks of home!
*the end *
Brenda Nwaubani(Black Petals)
O.A.U.
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