by Chuks Gerry
Take it easy babe, I didn’t abandon anyone, where’s Amina?
Follow me if you want to know,’Ibrahim instructed.
On reaching there Ibrahim pointed to where Amina lay, making feeble attempt to now get up on her own. Nneka and Eugene ran towards her stupefied, Eugene lifted her swiftly in one move instructing Nneka to get their things ready and meet him outside. Ibrahim halted a cab down quickly opening one of its rear doors for Eugene to put her inside when someone yelled at them.
Next time think twice before bringing toddlers to mingle with the big shots or you just might end up with baggages,’ Tina howled from behind.
He turned and hissed,’Tina I don’t have the time for this, what is delaying Nneka? He pondered directing to Ibrahim.
But baby it’s true, they’re beneath you and moreso I’m still in love with you honey.You can feel it in our dance.
You shameless whore,’Nneka scream hitting her with her purse, ‘how dare you speak so little of my friends and I, sloth.
Soon there was scratching, clawing and screaming as both ladies slapped and pulled their hairs on the floor. It took the effort of several guys to successful pull them apart before they seriously injure themselves.
You’re finished Nneka, I promise you,’ Tina squealed within the grip of her friends.
You can’t do anything, tonight is just a tip of the iceberg,’Nneka boasted in her feat,’ besides Eugene someone informed me she’s the one responsible for Amina predicament. Earlier she and her hoodlums had attacked us in the ladies, there’s absolutely nothing this devious girl can’t do. Eugene face turned scarlet as he made his way back to Tina.
Tell me the truth do you have a hand in Amina being this way? He inquired grimly.
Why do you care, I still love you, you know?
And how many times am I gonna keep saying this, I don’t love you anymore. You cheated on me. Me and you -—water under the bridge, never gonna happen. On another note if I discovered you’d a hand in all of this, you’ll regret it,’with that he joined the rest in the cab.
Anytime Val came home on vacation or any other holiday, Amara hardly ever wants to leave his sight. Clinging onto him for the next several hours or days depending on her mood. She is so fond and protective of him a habit she’d developed since the lost of their father and perhaps will continue until she is much older. So it wasn’t much of a big deal when she insisted on acompany him to visit his friend Ahmed, whose younger sister was Aliyu’s finacee. While there, Amara joined his younger siblings in the sitting room watching one of her favorite programs on television which afforded Val and Ahmed an uninterrupted opportunity to catch up at the backyard. Alot has been happened since he was away of which most importantly is regarding their good friend disappearance. After the handshakes and pleasantries, Ahmed went ahead with his narration of all that’d transpired even up to the very last phone conversation he’d with Aliyu.
I swear those guys looked mean and out of place in the area, even passerbys gave them a second look especially when one of them came out to buy something to drink. His face clicked in my memory after much thought, I recalled seeing him about a month ago when I was heading home from work. A vehicle came to halt inches away from me; I was about flipping out when window wind down to behold Sanni in the driver’s seat.We chatted for several minutes before parting ways. That dude was sitted in the car with him, that scar on his face was unmistakable, no doubt about that.
Val who’d been listening with rapt attention flinched at the mention of Sanni’s name.They’ve not really been on good term for the past two years and they rarely ever agreed on anything which sometimes make Val question the template of their friendship. In the past months Sanni had become this antagonistic, vindictive bigot who was all out to oppose. Val could recall it all started after he’d re-emerged from whatever blackhole he’d disappeared to for almost a year. He also recalls some of the few times they hanged out recently, their discourse always ended up in dissension which almost always result in daitribe between them both, leaving Aliyu and Ahmed in the middle to prevent it from escalating to physical blow and punches. His friends have different behavioral antics. Ahmed for one is quiet in nature, if for whatever reason he dosen’t agree with you, he says so and quickly deviate to avoid quarrel. Aliyu on the other hand isn’t quite different either, he is a good listener and supportive but like Ahmed is diversive of heated argument and will rather stay mute while Val is on a different pedestal, he would tell you off rather than listen to crap which he thinks Sanni is full off.
Sanni whom was a former classmate of Val in primary school had lost both parents when he was still a kid and gone on to live with an aunt of his whom also died just before his primary school leaving certificate. Thereafter he proceeded to a Goverment College outskirt of Garuba but came to know Aliyu’s father through a relative who acted as his guardian. Thereafter he befriended Aliyu and that was how Val and him reunited after many years. Aliyu’s father has been pretty generous to him even helping with his tertiary education before he dropped out unceremoniously two years ago on the premise it conflicted with his faith thereafter disappearing for almost another year before re-ermerging unannonced a changed individual. Unpredictable as well as vocal, oppressive and sentimental in almost all his actions, an attitude which Val couldn’t bear to put up with for long before erupting violently. He did all he could to avoid to him each time he hanged out with the guys. This had gone pretty well until only recently when they were together because of the unfortunate incident that’d befell the Danbaba’s, even at that he still felt the urge to smack him base on his utterance but somehow manages to restrain himself because of Aliyu.
And you’re saying you haven’t heard, seen or know about the whereabout of Sanni either? Val inquired.
That’s right.
What about that relative of his that works for Aliyu’s father?
You mean his uncle; he went missing several months ago. Even Sanni claims he has no inkling of his whereabout and his case is still under police investigation.
Quite baffling indeed,’Aliyu muttered to himself adjusting properly on his chair. I hate admiting this but I dislike Sanni as a person. I feel it in my marrow that guy is quite capable of anything, deadly things that one should be wary of.
You think I don’t know that. I feel the same way too bro, we all do but he’s our friend whom hasn’t given us the benefit of doubt beside his utterances and erratic tendencies. And do you know what irked me the most these past weeks?
What?
I suspect Aliyu has been kidnapped.
Kidnapped, how so?
Yea, by whom or who is beyond me but this is more than mere intuition for me. I feel it strongly in my bones especially as his body is yet turn up since his disappearance.
I see, maybe they’re withholding it for ransome or something but who is responsible for all these. Just imagine double tragedy within a short interval of time. This is sad, very sad,’Val lamented.
Yea it is, his mother is crushed and the entire family devastated.
What about your family especially your sister, how is she coping?
It’d not been easy everyday is a struggle, especially with her pregnancy and———
Wow! Aisha is pregnant, so Aliyu was a soon to be dad. Hmmm that was fast,’he interjected. Where is she by the way?
Yes but his family is yet to know. she’s by the way is at the market with our mother.
When she returns, extend my regards.
Will do just that,’Ahmed replied giggling at Val’s facial expression. He poured the dirty water away and placed the bucket under the running tap to fill which he then carried to where he sat previously to begin rinsing, noticing the worried looks in Val’s eyes.
And please my all means go ahead and say what is on your mind,’he said droping the bucket on the ground giving him a knowing look. Val smiled acknowleding his friend wittiness.
There’s something I wish to confide in you, you know since we’re in t
he sharing secrets zone.
Okay, go on,’he raised his gaze for better concentration.
Nneka told me she got a call from Aliyu the evening of his arrest saying he was being accused wrongly. Albeit he was barely audible.
Did he tell her where he was?
Nah, she said the service was poor and wasn’t able to reach him back.
I suggest we report this to the station, for all I know she might probably be the last person to have spoken with him. That call could be traced which is good for the investigation.
Don’t even think of it.
But why, I thought Aliyu was our friend or don’t you want to render any possible assistance you can to salvage his situation.
Just be quiet and let me finish,’Val replied tersely. Later that same night, she said she saw a van packed in front of our compound with four men in it discussing and pointing at our flat. It scared her to the bone even up till this moment and if you hadn’t made mention of the same van earlier I’d have thought she was over reacting. No one knows for certain weather those guys were police, robbers, kidnappers or assassins.
Now I’m scared. Something tells me this is only the beginning
Yea, me too.
May Allah guide and protect us all
Amen,’Val said getting up on his feet ready to take his leave. He called out Amara who was playing with Ahmed siblings to meet him out front. On their way home, Ahmed insisted they take a different path because he wanted to introduce him to his own fiancé much to his bewilderment. It is what is attainable in most part of the north where the lifestyle is pretty basics; people get married early and live happily ever after which is a sharp contrast to the southern region. Val for one can’t possibly imagine proposing marriage to his mother at twenty two. She will freak out because for her girls are bad news not until only recently when he broke all protocols to introduce his girlfriend to her. She only accepted after she made him promise not to get her pregnant until after his masters. Stupefied and embarrassed he consented for peace to prevail, so no to marriage for him in the near future. After chatting and dilly dallying a little while longer, he halted a cab and bid Ahmed and his fiancée farewell. The cab pulled over at the nearest bustop to their house, Amara insisted Val buy her the candy bar he’d promised her, so they went to the mini-supermarket at the nearby mall.Whilst Val was canvassing for some personal effect, Amara pickled at the candy section. He was busy on his mobile when he heard a loud shrieking cry followed by several scuffling noises. He raised his head reluctantly above his counter section to see what the fuss was about only to discover the shop attendants separating two kids wrestling on the floor. Taking a closer look he saw it was Amara hitting a boy beneath her with a can of juice. He dropped all he was holding and hurried over. They were separated and as Amara narrated what had transpired to her brother and the store manager another boy approached fuming and holding a long plastic pole. Val swiddled the pole off him, asking and wondering what the problem was, but they ignored all inquiries and ran off. Val apologized to the shop manager, paid and left. Amara reticence on their way home was not lost on him even then he was still in awe as he’d never seen his sister lost her cool this much. He tried making small talks but she was more interested in her ice cream instead.
What does it mean to rape someone,’she blurted out of the blue. Val was befuddled as to how she came across such word which prompted her to ask but chose to stick to the obvious.
How does that question reflect your attitude a while back? He queried.
Please Brother Val explain what it means to me. I know it’s something bad.
The issue is not in the meaning rather I feel you’re too young to bother yourself with such trivialities. It’s absurd.
Since you won’t explain it to me I’ll ask Nneka, sorry for the inconvinence,’she said increasing her pace. Amara had always had her way with him, seeing her in such a despondent mood worried him. He loves her lively and frank attitude and never wants to loose her trust atleast not this soon so he hurried up to catch up with her.
I’ll explain what rape means only on one condition, you’ll tell me what was all that at the mini mart. Do we have a deal?
Deal.
Rape is a crime of a sexual nature carried out against a person’s will, I hope you understand what I meant by sexual nature? He asked feeling awkward.
Offcourse I’m thirteen, am not stupid.
Excellent, good for you,’he exhaled in relieve before continuing,’it’s a serious crime not just in Nigeria but in most countries arouund the world where grave penalty await the offenders. Now over to you.
Oh those guys were some crude Almajiri boys that used to taunt me, Cynthia and her brothers sometime last year on our way back from school only to return this year from oblivion this becoming more intimidating and fearless even to the extent of trespassing into our school premises to carry out minor mischief and misdeameanor attacks.
Are you serious and what is your school authority doing about it?
They did employ more secuirities but this boy in particular and his gang used to wait for us after closing each day. He says he wants to marry me.
Is that so?
Wheather willingly or not, he said he will rape me one day and force me to be his wife if I keep refusing his gestures.
Gosh! Why didn’t you say so earlier? I would have killed that bloody idiot with my bare hands instantly. Damn,’he lamented prancing with indignation thinking aloud,’ so that little creep had the guts to not only threatened but lay his filthy hands on my sister and went off unscolded, noway he must be taught a lesson.It seems mom is back?
Yes she is her car is already packed in the garage.
Go inside, I’ll be back in a jiffy,’he said scurrying away.
But where are you off to?
Just do as I say,’he yelled not looking back.
She paused observing his countenance as he walked away in rage obviously rattled by her narration.The first place he went to check for the kids was at the mini mart and other stores within the mall hoping to sight them lurking around but there was no where around. He walk down the main checking every shop as he proceeds, with the central mosque only a stone throw away he came across a gathering of people at a local joint popularly known as maishai in the country where they sell noodles, bread, fried egg and tea.They were over a dozen people from all ages either eating or just gisting away, his eyes search swiftly for them as he approached. He caught sight one of them in the midst of his peers eating a plate of fried egg and noodles however he kept on walking a few feet ahead before pausing to observe. Soon the boy finished eating paid the seller and left. From where he stood watching the boy approach, he shook his head at the frail raggedy frame walking towards his direction making him wonder how best to tell him to stay off his sister without hurting him. Knowing with his looks and background speaking English to him wasn’t an option so he called out to him in Hausa, introduced himself then went straight ahead to warn him to backoff in the most chilling threatening tone he could muster, all the while the boy kept mute. After finishing with his rant, he turned about leaving when he heard the boy’s utterance and flew into a fit, grabbing his shirt drawing him closer for a punch to the face and flinging him to the floor like used tissue. He landed heavily still screaming insults at him even in his pains. Full of indignation he delivered several kicks at his frame after which he turned around only to come face to face with a locally made pistol pointed directly at him. It was held by the same boy who came after his sister with a plastic pole, he suspected they were both related because of the uncanny resemblance in their looks. The kid was serenaded by several of his friends anticipating what his next action will be. Inadvertently he raised his hands in panic surrendering, but the boy latch onto the gun, his fingers tarried on the trigger despite his pleas. Soon the settings started drawing a small crowd and causing a commotion among passerbys, some hastied their step others ran. It took the brazen boldness of an elderly man to step forward to int
ercede on his behalf pleading with the boy to drop the weapon and not do anything he will live to regret.The boy retorted brashly all the not taking his eyes off Val, remaining steadfast on his intent. Sirens could be heard approaching not too far away causing people to scurry away, no one wants to be around such a scene when the police arrives for fear of being arrested and held beyond what they have no inkling about. Their panic caused such a stir which distracted the boy, Val knew this was an opportuinity and acted. He took a nose dive landing on top him, knocking the gun off. His action were swift with precision that even the boy’s friends didn’t see coming, before they knew it Val had overpowered him holding the gun. There was screeching of tires caused by impromptu application of brakes on the paved road. People began running helter skelter and shop owners stoop inside their shops barring themselves inside.
Drop the weapon this minute or l shoot,’ he heard from behind him, where a couple of cops have positioned their vehicle pointing their guns at him. He obliged flinging the gun away before promptly handcuffed alongside the two kids, the others had fled. On the way to the station he put a call across to his mother, two hours later he was released heading home with her. On the way, she drove in silence engrossed thoughts with Val seeming very contented with it that way. He was afterall quite pissed with the way she acted towards him back at the station, quite condescending to say the least given the fact his action was all in good faith. She for one never liked policemen, her beef with them transcends many decades and by virtue of his action brought her in proximity with them hence her paranoia. Upon they arrival at their compound, Val hurriedly got out to open the main gate even before she could horn for one of his siblings to get it done. His sisters were downstairs eagerly awaiting their return when she drove inside. They both rushed towards him in embrace. Amara held on a little longer whispering under breath, thanking God he was hale and healthy that when finally she let go her eyes were misty. Mrs Nwankwo got out of the vehicle and approached them with a quaint brittle smile on the side of her lips. Seeing her children all cuddled up together gladdened her heart but also reminded her about the vulnerability of life, situations will arise, how ready are they to confront it.