by Chuks Gerry
Hello a recognizable voice answered from the other end. Its Eugene he screamed jerking up elated, Amara clinged to him as if her life source was dependent on the phonecall.
They are on their way here, to the hospital,’he said excitedly to her after hanging up. Her heart glowed upon hearing such positive news that she scurried outside to await their arrival leaving her brother on her trails.
There should be here any moment,’ she squealed peering into any ambulance that droved in expectant.
Yes they should,’Val concurred, a deep surge of relieve in his voice, everything seems to be turning bright again in his gloomy world.
Oh there they are.
Were? She asked looking all around.
Over there,’he said pointing at Eugene who was giving parking directives to an ambulance. Together they went up to him. She dive him, clinging in a tight embrace. Val exchanged handshake with him,
We are so happy to see you Brother Eugene, how’s my mommy? Amara anxiously asked,
Your mommy is doing just fine, infact she woke up just as were are about entering the hospital.
A paramedic with some nurses rushed to the amblance with a stretcher. Though tired and weary, her eyes beam with joy upon seeing her kids.
Mommy Amara screamed dashing forward, throwing herself on her crying.
I was scared something bad might have happened to you,’she said clinging to her as if making sure she was real.
I’m fine peanut. Thank God for Eugene, it’d have been a different story. Val joined in the embrace as they all weep for joy. They wheeled her into the accident and emergency unit, with Amara by herside all through. Val and Eugene waited at the reception for further information.
I really appreciate you bro for taking good care of my mother. All the while I’d been thinking the worse has befallen you guys. I became quite apprehensive.
Don’t mention bro she’s like a mother to me too, Nneka was like a sister and you too a brother I’d never have. You folks are the closest thing to a family I longed for.
Yes we are and you’re welcome to be one of us, ‘Val said with a broad smile. And thanks once again, ‘he continued tapping him on the shoulders
The pleasure is mine.
You better try to eat something reasonable this time. Haba you haven’t eaten anything today and even yesterday you didn’t eat much either. Do you want this illness to destroy your immune system, rendering you useless,’ barraged an upset Amina over her friend’s disposition. I can’t bear to lose you o.
No one is dying here, take these right away,’Marriam surreptitiously handed over some tablets. It will take care of the nausea. One look at the medication and Nneka flared up.
How many times am I going to sound this to you that I’m not pregnant and can’t be atleast not at this stage in my life? Please please mitigate that peevish idealogy of yours. Afterall you are a soldier not a doctor.
But I’m a woman, one much older and experience than you. Who before enlisting in the army had a diploma in nursing and was a practicing auxiliary nurse. Listen I do not mean to imply anything but if it is what it is then there is trouble.
How do you mean? Nneka asked puzzled.
You can’t be pregnant when no man has yet lay claim on you. Unless you were pregnant before your incarceration of which considerable tests will be carried out to attest to that fact, otherwise you will be held in contempt and punished severely even stoned to death.
Is this the package life have prepared for me? Nneka bend her head down crying softly. Firstly, we were kidnapped, then raped and now to be stoned to death by some fanatical lunatics who claim to serve God. Oh Father were art thou, have mercy and redeem us from the clutches of the evil ones,’she lamented as fat tears cascaded down her sculpted cheekbone into her food dish.
Nneka stop crying, no harm will befall us. I don’t think Aliyu will let it happen,’Amina chipped. He will fight for you till death, or won’t he?
Good, now that you’ve mention his name,’ Marriam cutted in ascerbically,’he is still in debt to the sect and until he service his debt can he rightfully lay claim to you.
What debt are you referring about?
In case you don’t know for the sect to grant him his full rights and entitlement, he must first prove himself worthy. His major obligation is to deliver unto the sect twenty five souls. Relenting to do so sooner than later and he will be stripped,’ she explained succinctly, getting up and taking her empty dishes outside to get it washed. No sooner have she finished Nneka and Amina were on her heels looking more paranoid than ever.
Marriam wait for us, ah ah. You always seem to be in a hurry making it a chore to keep up with you,’Amina belched out amid flurries of heavy breath as they caught up with her.
Let me remind you that I’m a lieutenant and was trained for speed. I’m sorry if you civilians regard it rather too brusque for a lady, ’she said taking brisk steps not pausing for a second.
You were saying something about Aliyu having to commit twenty five souls to the sect, can you please elucidate.
Hey there, are you guys the media or plainly daft. It isn’t my nature to answer rhetorical questions but I’m going to give you a clearer picture of what to expect. Aliyu will have to kill twenty five people in battle to eligibly be considered a true blood member of the sect. Thereafter commit at least another twenty souls to rise up the ranks quickly. In keeping up with these tasks, your man will not only lay claim to you but may one day lead his own battalion to battle and make you proud, ‘she quipped giving Nneka a sarcastic wink.
Excuse me miss let me correct something here, Aliyu is not my man and never will be. For God sakes he is a family friend and like a big brother to me. Secondly I don’t subscribe to violence whatsoever in any capacity and won’t encourage it. If Aliyu fulfil all those objectives you mentioned, it is to his own detriment not mine and may Almighty God have mercy on his soul. All I pray to God is for a miracle to deliver us from this nightmare,’ Nneka bemoaned
You praying for a miracle huh?
Yes I do everyday infact. Don’t you believe in miracles?
Miracles abound everywhere. All you need do is open your mind and use your brain.Trust me you will see one.
Please enough with the metaphor, what are we going to do? Quried Amina.
Well pray, pray to your God Aliyu comes back alive. He might just be the gateway from this nightmare as you call it. Otherwise we may likely spend the rest of our living in it.
Tufiakwa God forbid, it’s not our portion.
Keep telling yourself that,’Marriam heaved. By the day after tomorrow we should be expecting news from the field.
Nneka wrapped her hands round her stomach as she felt a surge, her face contorted. She ran towards an empty space and began vomiting all she’d manage to eat. Amina pat her back gently holding her hair so nothing spews on it.
Here, give her this to drink,’Mariam said handing over a bottle water looking sideways apprehensively.We have to leave immediately before anyone start suspecting.
To hell with you, my friend is sick and here you’re imagining the worst that could become of her. You stay there in your high horse acting like you’re better than everyone else telling us what and not what to do because you’re screwing a general,’Amina berated.
What?
Oh yes you are and don’t act all innocent because we know and so does everyone else. You even have a lovechild for him thinking it is a guarded secret but sweetheart it’s not. We are decent educated ladies with brilliant futures ahead of us; we will never condescend to being the whore mistress of a bloody terrorist.
How dare you speak to me that way you bloody fool,’she said raising her hands menacingly as if to strike.
What is going on over there is everything okay? Inquired an approaching guard.There was silence, tempers forcefully constrained within the confinement of flesh.
Yes sir our friend had food allergy, but she will be fine,’Marriam managed to mutter.
Alright then everyone disperse,’ he ordered.
Marriam sniffed and nodded giving both ladies a livid look, taking brisk steps backward; she went to her quarter fuming. Nneka and Amina bring up the rear slowly.
You shouldn’t have.
I know. I owe her an apology when next we see.
You young men are brazen indeed. I don’t want to imagine the risk you guys undertook to get this car back, and I wouldn’t have subscribe to it had I knew,’ Mrs Nwankwo aired her feelings though pleasantly.
Oh yeah you won’t, not after you kept complaining about the ambulance giving you bruises even though we know how they came about and also how subtly it reminded you of death. Mom you always have a way of driving out your ironic points,’ Val eyed her. She laughs hysterically for several seconds, appreciating how well her children know her.
They were all seated in the air conditioned grey sienna heading home after being discharge from the hospital. Ever since several attacks on different parts of the state including Garuba, there have been heavy militarize presence effecting a six to six curfew on commercial activities. As early as one pm major shops, café, restaurant and even some banks shutdown giving the once boisterous city a deserted feel. Mrs Nwankwo in her silence reflected on how things used to be, how her life used to be but right now she’s not sure. Her gaze drifted to Val on the wheel as he argued with Eugene on football as if their lives depended on it, to Amara by her side who was fixated on her game pad, and then she felt herself slipping away. Her throat went dry and breath heavy, her eyes became weary and faint, gradually she was drifting into oblivion when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Mommy mommy is everything okay with you,’Amara quizzed jerking her away from a nervous meltdown.
Yes sweety, erm I think we should pull over. I’m feeling tasty.
They parked in front of a semi fast food restaurant where they ordered drinks and cooked food to be carted away as there was nothing to eat at home.
Mummy how many wrap of amala will be enough for you? Inquired Amala
Two and please tell them to serve the ewedu with only dry fish.
Okay Ma.
They drove on until they came to a traffic block several poles to their junction. Val jammed on the horn pad repeatedly wondering aloud what the issue was.
Excuse me bros, do you have any idea what could be causing the hold up? He inquired from a passerby.
A trailer almost skidded as it was about to make a u-turn but be patient the wardens are handling the situation.
Thanks however I wonder what a trailer will be doing in this part of town. Those guys are reckless and shouldn’t be allowed to this district.
Yea they drive anyhow causing mayhem in their wake.They behave like animals,’added Eugene
In some ways I think animal are way better especially when they are high on crack and drunk like a skunk, animals becomes far more civil.
Something seems to be going on out there,’ Eugene said stretching his head outside for a better view. Engines were started in a hurry, pedestrian and cyclist scurried by.
What is going on, ‘Eugene asked but got no response as everyone was in haste.
Soon there were multiple gunshots everywhere and people screaming. Someone ordered everyone to get down on their belly including those inside their vehicles. Mrs Nwankwo was already in a prayer fit, kabbashing to God for safety while Amara in tears screeched soft amen in reply to each point she raised. Val pulled the gear to reversed; putting his astute skills into practice was able to turn the car around within very limited space in between and was soon on his way. With articulate maneuvering he gradually increased his throttle until they were brought to another abrupt stop. He jammed his break at the nick of time to prevent a head on collision with the vehicle in front. Eugene step out to get a clearer view of the situation ahead only to see several heavily armed men alighting from a bus upfront. He delves back into the vehicle just as gunshots clattered about.
It’s the sect, we’ve been besieged by them,’he yelled ducking like the others.
Chi mo! God save your children,’ wept Mrs. Nwankwo. The gunshots paused, then a loud voice was heard instructing everyone to get out of their vehicle or pay the ultimate price, death.
Mommy I think we should do as they say,’Val was saying to his mother but already she was a nervous wreck. Crying, praying and blaming herself for not listening to her son when he suggested they put up at the barrack until things simmer down. Now her stubbornness is going to cost her family.
Mommy that is enough, stop with the blame game because it’s not helping. Let us obliged lest God won’t let anything bad befall us,’ he spluttered in a hushly deathly petrified.
What if they kill us, mbanu we ain’t getting out of this car to expose ourselves to those heartless killers. Over my dead body,’she shook her head repeatedly.
Several cars ahead of them were badly manhandled, their tyres ruptured and windscreen broken, finally forcing their obstinate occupants out. When they came out all hell was brought down on them, that within seconds most of them were marinated in their own blood. Others watching the scenarios quickly rushed out of their vehicle on their own accord to prevent same fate meted out on them including Val and Eugene despite his mother pleas. The sects began their search moving from one vehicle to the other, all occupants were told to stand by the open walkway, their valuables snatched off from them. When they got to Mrs Nwankwo car, she was ordered out with her daughter and instructed to join the others, while the car like the others before was thoroughly ransacked. While the search was going on, another group of sect members ordered the women and children to one side separated from the men.
I am not going anywhere without my family,’Mrs Nwankwo said defiantly clutching Amara tightly to her bosom. Do whatever you want, I’m not leaving my family,’she reiterated firmly.
How dare you speak back at me woman,’the man howled raising his hands. Seeing what was transpiring Val quickly intervened pleading with the man, shielding his mother in the process.
Leave him let him kill me if he wants to, afterall they have taken my daughter. What more can they do,’she vented.
Mom please shush it and let me take care of this,’ Val cautioned placatingly. Turning to face the man he felt a blow with the force of a sledge hammer landing on his face. He fell flat on his back dazed for several minute with the taste of blood shrouding his mouth.
That is enough Bashiru, let me handle this. Rabiu requires your service now,’a colleague of his wearing a mask like the rest ordered approaching from behind. Bashiru nodded and left immediately towards the direction his colleague came from.
The man yelled at them to gather around and be quiet, looking over his shoulder several times before proceeding.
So you’re the loutish bunch making a travesty of our authority ehn,’he growl in a somewhat ostentatious tone, still taking several surreptitious glances behind.
Now I’m going to give everyone here two options,’ he began putting his gun aside.
One, either you remain here and die or secondly take hold of courage and you may cheat death today,’his said demurely his gaze fixated at Val who was still on the floor, rubbing his jaw and praying it wasn’t broken.
I won’t repeat myself,’he continued still staring directly at Val who was now transfixed by his gaze. Taking a sharp knife from his backpack, he used it to slit his wrist.
Over there is our van, it has a lot of force to it. The keys are on the ignition, take it and leave with your family before the others get here.
Now,’he shouted,’and same goes to all of you. Everyone ran to their various vehicles starting the ignitions in a flurry. Val was just settling down behind the wheels when he felt a grip on his shoulder. It was the same man and he was bleeding profusely from his self inflicted injury, his lips close to Val’s ear.
Look after my family just as I’ve done to yours,’he breathed heavily,’an——-and pray for me,’he nodded letting go of him, leaving blood patches on
his shirt.
Val sped off, his eyes focused resolutely ahead on the pavement maneuvering severally until he reaches the express going steady at about one fifty kilometer per hour, unaware of his mother cautioning to take it easy until Eugene nudges did he teleported from his trance like transfiguration to reality. They rode on until they approached a checkpoint where he slowed down considerably; there were soldiers everywhere with one of them beckoning on them to halt. The officer and his men pointed several guns at him ordering everyone to alight from the van. The attitude of the force men got them all flustered as to the purpose of their indignation. Unbeknowst to them the van they were in belongs to the special intelligence unit of the airforce. It was run over by the Al-sahad forces, maiming and killing most of its occupants. Val pleaded to be granted permission to speak and was directed to the officer in charge.
Sir, with due respect we had no idea of what had transpired. We only used the van as an escape means from the sect after they damaged our vehicle and held us hostage for the past hour.
Regardless of that you guys are coming with us to the barrack.
No problem sir because it happens to be where we heading to anyway.
Officer hurry they are coming o, Al-sahad forces are after us,’some people shouted from the long queue of traffic behind. They were multiple gunshots and the queue of cars was discombobulated. The army quickly took positions while Val and his family fled into the van and zoomed off. Almost three hundred meters ahead a huge military force advanced, they sped pass them with armored tankers and weaponries. As they reaches the barracks mami gate there was another multitude of people being attended to, with soldiers located at strategic position on the lookout.
It looks slike all these people gathered wants to get inside as well? Eugene quizzed.
So it seems bro which goes on to tell us this town is screwed,’ Val responded in a weary tone. He parked the van a few feet across, while Eugene came down to carryout inquiries.
What is going on naa, ehn! The God that delivered us from the clutches of those evil men should please touch the heart of these soldiers to let us inside,’Mrs Nwankwo prayed.