by Adaora O
Chinny laughed at her cousin’s ignorance, which she found both amusing and refreshing on most occasions. Frustrated at Chinny’s phlegmatic disposition at most fun things, Adaiba cried, “Chinny! Are you not thrilled? It is a big deal com’mon!” But when it became clear to Adaiba that her beloved cousin did not and would never share her enthusiasm at things she considered trivialities, she let out an angry grunt saying, “It seems you do not want to attend. Anyway, as for me, I will go there and soak up as much fun as is humanly possible. If and when you decide to become as human as the rest of us, let me know.”
Deciding to put her cousin out of her misery, Chinny pacified her between chuckles. “All right, I am sorry Ada. No more laughter. To be honest, I heard everything you said and more in the news. Like err… the name of the president of the Dominican Republic which by the way, I think you should look up,” Chinny said, unable to resist the jab. Adaiba clicked her tongue in defiant protest but Chinny continued, “I also know something else.” In answer to Adaiba’s surprised “Oh?”, she went on with a mischief-drenched smirk, “Entrance to the venue would be strictly by invitation!” And pop! went Adaiba’s balloon. Angry at Chinny for allowing her to go on about an event she knew she would attend only in her dreams, Adaiba said an out-of-character “Good night” and hung up.
Amused at her cousin’s enthusiasm for anything in the least associated with fun, Chinny shook her head at her phone in absolute fascination and went to the kitchen for a glass of orange juice. Although happy with the twist in the near-fatal events, Chinny did not share in even one tenth of her darling cousin’s excitement. A cold blast of air hit Chinny as she held the fridge’s door ajar for longer than necessary, soaking up the sight of the well-stocked shelves. So, this is what it feels like to have a fridge, she thought, pouring herself a glass of cold orange juice, thankful she did not have to freeze and thaw to enjoy a glass of cold drink. Glass in hand, and heading for the sitting room to join everyone else, Chinny wondered about Kenneth and if he had been following the news. She regarded Dubem, feigning annoyance at him for dipping his head and slurping almost a quarter of the full glass of juice she held. He is different now. Playful maybe, she thought before blurting, “Has anybody seen or spoken to Kenneth since last Saturday?” When her mother shook her head with down-turned lips, she continued, “Hmm, I hope he is all right wherever he is. Nne, I think we should find a way to at least thank him for his cash aid.” Ama told her that her father mentioned refunding Kenneth’s cash support since the government already paid their bills.
*
Forty-eight hours before the official handover of the rescued girls, word went out confirming the attendance of not only the president of Nigeria but also that of the Dominican Republic, who saw this as the perfect opportunity to make his country’s stance on human trafficking and girl-child repression clear.
Considering the budding ties between Nigeria and the United States of America, President Hugo Dolores did not second-guess himself on his decision to pay Nigeria a courtesy visit. The Dominican Republic desperately needed an ally in the United States of America, a country dedicated in her fight against female repression. Bad publicity and being portrayed as a proponent of depravity did not quite fit into his box of strategies on forming alliances.
As soon as the authorities of the Dominican Republic learnt about the sordid event, they engaged in a massively publicised sweep across the country and as many illegal immigrants as they were able to identify were taken back to their home countries. A handful of the former victims of the trafficking ring now enjoyed the flamboyant lifestyle their ‘jobs’ afforded and could not be bothered with going back home, while others, cowering under the looming stigma, went into hiding.
Adaiba called Chinny to ask if she could drop by after work. Yes, she still scrubbed walls and floors and had since doubled her efforts following her inevitable need to re-sit the general certificate examinations. And even though Chinny had still not talked about it, Adaiba did not doubt that her purpose-driven cousin also thought along those lines. Chinny told her that the villa gates were always open to her. As she headed to the kitchen, Chinny paused, looking pointedly at Ama who sat engrossed in her new art of writing, crumpling and throwing paper all over the floor. “Nne’m, what have you been writing and discarding all morning?” she asked.
Determined to own her project from start to finish and everything in between, Ama refused any help from Dubem with putting her proposal together. She was bent on stretching herself to perfection or dying trying. Kneading her nape, Ama answered, “It is a proposal. I will write it myself and take it to a business centre for typing before allowing anybody to see it. After that, I will send it to Chief Utah.” Chinny said nothing, but within, her heart expanded with pride at the woman she called mother.
Peeping through the kitchen door, Dubem asked his mother what to do with the beans on the burner and without lifting her head from her stack of papers, she told him to turn it into pottage with diced plantains and vegetables. Chinny took a sheet of paper from her mother’s stack and sat down to do some writing of her own. Hoping her diced beef clientele had not given up on her, she thought the time had come to return to the pedal.
Staplers, nylon wrapping packs, deep-pan fryer, big pot, strainer… Pausing for a moment to think of the other items she needed, Chinny resumed writing her list… gas burner, vegetable oil, spices… She looked up as her father walked into the sitting room, smiling wryly at his wife. Ama had been on her proposal-writing mission for almost two hours and remained adamant in her refusal of help from anyone. Though impressed at her grit, Dede thought her obstinance at stretching herself thin on something in which she lacked experience, now rested on the line where resilience verged on thick-headedness. Looking at his daughter who also sat on the dining table, Dede asked in feigned disbelief, “You too?” Chinny giggled as she explained the less complicated nature of her assignment in comparison to her mother’s.
“I am only drafting a list to resume my meat business. It is time to resume saving towards school.” Dede stared at his daughter as though she just grew an extra head. Ama’s head shot up from her work and Dubem came out from the kitchen. Everyone began to talk at once, telling her in different phrases that she must be sleepwalking to think anyone would let her drown herself in any more stress. Dede for one told her that he now possessed the ability to provide the basic needs of his family.
“I have been handed an opportunity and it will suffice my child, by God, it will.” Chinny weighed everyone’s reasoning for a moment but shook them off as fast as they came. She reminded them that even though Chief Utah refused his refund, nobody knew if Kenneth and Mr Oliseh would do the same.
“Education costs so much these days. And do not forget our house renovations and the mortgage loan,” she said.
Dede announced that Oliseh asked him to tuck his own refund away. “He intends to use it for Dubem’s wedding gift,” Ama chipped in, attempting to lighten the mood. Dubem’s eyes grew wide in mock surprise, saying he did not realise he had a bride. The previously tense atmosphere began to ease, but adamant about putting that phase of their lives behind them, Dede still held on with his teeth and claws. No way would he allow his daughter to go back to the grind. Outnumbered, Chinny rested her case. Or did she?
Adaiba poured out her frustrations over the phone. She finished rather late and would not be able to visit as planned. “Some of these rich people eeh! The state of their houses each week would make anyone think they are cleaned only once in three years. Imagine having to first fold clothes, then arrange shoes strewn all over the room and depending on the type of paint, scrub or wipe children’s scribbling off the wall before starting the actual cleaning.” Chinny consoled her cousin, suggesting that the following day being a Sunday may be a better day for a visit.
*
It turned out that Chief Utah belonged to a denomination and attended a church after all. Although it had be
en years since he last attended a church service, his enthusiasm shone through his eyes as he and the Onas rode in his car to church on Sunday morning.
After the short but interesting service, the Onas thanked their host for the ride and had begun their short walk to the chalet when Chief Utah requested to speak with Dubem at his earliest convenience. Nobody knew what to think when it came to Chief Utah, so the afternoon wore on with a dash of unease.
As you would have guessed, Adaiba came visiting a little after lunchtime. Ama suspected the young lady may not mind relocating to Item town, and that her reasons would not rest solely on her fondness for Chinny with whom she chatted away in the bedroom. Ama broke up their party, calling her daughter to the living room.
“Chief is here. He wants to talk to us,” her mother said in an uncertain but excited whisper, wondering why their benefactor decided to bring ‘the party’ to them. It was short and simple. Chief Utah decided to pay Dubem the sum his staff owed him. He took responsibility for the rot that he, as a result of his self-centered unwillingness to look beyond his immediate pain, had allowed to be perpetrated on his watch.
“I will pay you three times what they…. I owe you. I should in truth do more considering all I gained from everything you went through,” he said, adding that he would follow up on their burnt house, to find out if an insurance policy existed and what effect such a policy would have. Turning to Chinny and Dubem, he told them to spread their wings in applying to any institution of higher learning of their choice and that he would make sure they studied whatever and wherever they pleased.
The Onas were awestruck, but each thought the same thing; Here we go again, what does he want in return? They had no words in response to Chief Utah, who with laughter in his eyes said, “Now this is the point where you gush… Oh, aaah, thank you very much, God bless you, we appreciate your kindness.” But nobody appeared to understand his joke.
Their chorused but strained “Thank you sir” sounded like the reverberating clang of a steel plate on the stone floor of an empty room. They stared at him, suspicion seeping through every pore on their skin. Unable to stand the choking discomfort any longer, he got up to leave. Chinny spoke up as his hand touched the door handle, his back to them.
“Why sir?” she asked, not sure of whose voice rang in her ears.
Chief Utah turned and readily answered, “Because I can!” But the steel in the young lady’s eyes and the unsmiling faces staring at him told him it was ‘truth or dare’ time. So, he took two steps back towards the family, huddled together in a united protective stance, and in a rushed voice, began.
“Many years ago, I lost part of my early memories after a near-fatal accident. Months after, my parents sent me to England to undergo reconstructive surgery, but I fell in love with the English and stayed back to study. There I met the one I called my soulmate. After dating for four years, she still made the butterflies flutter in my stomach. I loved her with every cell in me and she felt undoubtedly the same. On graduation, Mel followed me back to Nigeria, turning her back on everything she held dear. We hoped to get married and live happily ever after. But that, as I discovered, was wishful thinking. My folks would not hear of it because she did not belong to ‘kindred spirit’ – she was British and a white one at that. It took another three years of unsuccessful appeal to my parents for us to realise that our marriage would never happen.
“Broken, I stood by and watched Mel crumble to micro-pieces. After many years of clutching at threads, I went to pay her a visit, to tell her I preferred to run away with her, to face the consequences rather than to live one more day without her as my wife, but only met a note from her. She could not stand the rejection and pain any longer and had left for Australia. We had to go our separate ways and find alternative happiness. Some things were just never meant to be, she said. I mean, Australia? The other side of the world?! Besides, she did not have any family or friends there. At least none that I was aware of. She carefully handpicked her refuge and robbed me of one last fighting chance.”
Four people and one hiding behind the door were held in rapt attention. Chief Utah continued after pausing for an infinite number of heartbeats. “I lost it. I tried. God knows I tried but I could not find her. So, shattered, hollow and lost, I began a long, dark and winding journey to self-destruction, in defiance of culture and mindless prejudice until I met my late wife. During my dark journey, I earned myself the nickname ‘Don Kay’ and picked up a chieftaincy title, utterly beyond belief in its needlessness. My full name is Donald Kanayo Utah. My late wife was an angel. Believe me, sometimes, I thought she had actual wings. She saved me and gave me a reason to rein in. An exposure to some toxic gas in her perfumery snatched her from me. Only then did I realise I was not scheduled for happiness. On the day I met your daughter, I had a meeting with my lawyer, to sign off all I possessed to various charity organisations. It is with deep shame that I say this, but I planned to take my own life. The money in the stolen briefcase would have been payment for the ‘intruder’ who was to break into my house – on a day my key security officials were going to be conveniently off duty. The ‘intruder’s’ job was to shoot me. I did not want to exit like the loser I had become. It had to look like murder. Chinny’s act of bravery on that day at the car park made me stare hard at my own cowardice. After the event following Chinny’s quest for her lost brother, I was summoned to the Federal Capital Territory for further statements, and on my way back, I ran into Mel. She never left Nigeria and wait for it… she never got married. While I expended resources searching for her abroad, she crouched under my nose, refusing to move on.”
Chief Utah looked at Chinny square in the eyes. “Now do you see why? I do not have the resources to show you my appreciation. You gave me my life back.” And with that, Chief Utah hurried away, leaving a stupefied audience behind.
17
Everyone talked in hushed tones long after Chief Utah left, cringing at how much they misjudged this broken man. It all now made perfect sense – his feeling of indebtedness.
On her way to get her cousin the next available tricycle, Chinny almost bumped into Rufus. He was coming to inform them that a visitor waited at the gate. Out of town at the time of their discharge from the hospital, Mr Oliseh returned from his trip only two days ago. After exchanging pleasantries, Chinny went on her way, questioning how this gentle-hearted man almost always managed to find his way to them.
Minutes of warm chatter and sharing good food slid into hours and Mr Oliseh forced himself to bid the Onas goodbye at the onset of twilight. “Remember, my home is open to you. The resources available to me are at your disposal. Please come in anytime and make this old man quake with laughter once more,” he said to Dubem, the fondness in his eyes unequivocal.
Twenty minutes into the seven o’clock evening news, the door knocker rattled the easy calm of the chalet. Nowhere near as calm and unperturbed about life as he always looked, Rufus told Ama about some unwanted guests. Two siren-blaring vehicles forcefully gained entrance into the villa and bright headlamps now flooded the compound. Out jumped four broad-chested men in black trousers, shirts and jackets, their eyes shielded with dark spectacles. Who wears sunglasses in the evening? Ama thought. Dede rushed out and placed a protective arm around his wife. Rufus offered in his usual diction, “Them say them want to see small Miss.” Mother and children shrunk further into the house.
One decisively bold step after another, Dede went to the men who now stood side-by-side in one straight line, legs at ease and arms folded across their chests. In the most confident voice he could muster, he asked them who they were and what they wanted with his daughter. One of the men responded in a surprisingly genial voice. They came from the Government House, with a letter that must be hand-delivered to Miss Chinny Ona. Dede asked Rufus to fetch Chinny. She managed to overpower her reluctant feet and came out to identify herself and receive her letter. The men had instructions to, on identifying Chin
ny Ona, deliver the governor’s seal-embossed envelope and stand by until she confirmed complete understanding of the contents of the letter.
Chinny had been invited to the formal handover ceremony of the rescued girls. Her invite admitted any ten guests of her choice. The men allowed Chinny, her mouth slightly agape, to admire the ostentatious design of the envelope for a while before asking if she needed clarification on any part of the invite. “Ehm, yes. Was Chief Utah invited? Must I come with all my guests or can they come on their own? If there are not up to ten guests, will I be disqualified? Is there a dress code? Are there penalties if we arrive late?” Chinny’s questions flowed unending, but the men smiled with knowing looks as they patiently answered all her questions.
Yes, Chief Utah was invited a few days ago. For ease of accountability and access, it would be best if she arrived at the venue with her guests. They would all be conveyed from her house tomorrow. No, there was no dress code. Any nice outfit would do. A second man, who sounded even kinder, chipped in with a smile, “Just look good, bearing in mind that you will be meeting with two presidents and the state governor.” Chinny and her father thanked the men as they drove off, with a promise to see them the next day.
As soon as the vehicles disappeared, Ama and Dubem jumped out of the house, whistling and squealing when they heard Chinny shout, “We are invited! We are invited! Tomorrow… the handover!” Rufus was not left out in the excitement as they huddled around for the details.
Thankful that Chief Utah was not there to witness a first-hand display of their most primitive expression of excitement, the Onas almost went deaf and out of breath from their own exhilaration. Then came a torrent of questions; who should they invite, how would everyone convene in the villa before 10:00 am and what could be considered as ‘acceptable’ attire?