by A. Achaka
She went through every room with an opened door, and searched through but found nothing, “What can i put on?” she came across the a room with a double door, it was the biggest she had seen, it was at other hall way, she tried the door but it was jammed, she kept at it since its different from the others and finally it in and fall open. The room was huge and dusty, that must be the master bed room, still arranged, the king size bed was at a corner not visible to some one at the door, the mirror more thasn her side placed at the wall further inside, it has a big flat screen T.V covered in dust, and a painting on both empty walls.
There were to more doors in side, the first was to the right, must be the bathroom because she pushed on the one to the left, she had to caught for the dust rosed into her face, it was the study, she didn’t spend much time in there but there were alot of books. She came out and proceed to the closet, it was the biggest she had ever seen not even her parents was this size, somehow the dust wasn’t much, it has two sides the first was full of suits and shirts mostly large in side, that must be a man’s clothes, she whispered and opened the other, “Wow” her mouth parted, the dresses and blouses and gowns and others were occupying so much space in there, “Women” she ultered and started on a quest looking for something that could fit in, most of them were over sized until she came about a blouse, it was black in colour, almost sleeveless and straight down.
Straight infront of the mirror, she lossened the towel and put on the blouse, one could say it was a gown to her, it fall down to her knees, and it fits perfectly “Hello my new dress” she picked the towel and left the room.
She came back into the room, just in time to found him turning, when his caught the dress, he quickly throw himself up to the edge of the wall, he thought it was the nightmare again, Erica was shocked at his fright, she stood tat the centre looing at him.
He could remember vividly about the blouse, it was his mom favourite, she put it on with a balck long skirt, when it come to special occasion, he remembered the first time she wore it was adinner party they all went at the government house, she was the topic of discussion, virtually every woman asked her where she got them from, “Dubai” she would proudly say, Now it feels like she was hunting him.
Erica’s face came visible to him and he felt a rush of anger almost to the point of shouting at her, indded she saw it but he didn’t let it go,
“Where did you get it?” he reduce his anger to the question
“My clothes were dirty, so I went round and found these in one of the closet and it fits, who are they’s?” She asked as if she didn’t know,
“I think you know” she smiled
“I am sorry to invade the privacy and to bring back old memories” He just stared at her, he don’t know call her anymore, she seems to be in his head and even now he starts to wander if her gift permit the reading of people’s minds
“Do you read peoples mind?” she just laughed
“No, people’s expression just tells me what they are thinking”
“That was my mom’s favourite blouse you are wearing” he said
“Oh, that’s why you almost jump out of the bed, thinking she came for you, so sorry”
“Why do you hunt me?” He stared at her
“I don’t hunt you; I really want you to be a better person”
“Did anyone ever tell you, that you sound like an adult?” He was slowly getting himself back into the bed
“All the time, in fact they call me an old woman which happens to be my grandmother, I don’t know her but they always call me by her name”
“well may be you are her” She started laughing, he looked at the watch on the wall, its either spoiled or battery outdated but either way its not working. His wrist watch was reading quarter to six “let me have my bath, then we figure out how to get what to eat ok?” she nodded and left the room, and he went into the bathroom.
Erica was watching the documentary programme when he came down, he had change into new clothes, and was smelling all nice, he sat down beside her,
“Hmm I like the smell” she said he turned and smile
“lets wait until its a bit dark outside before we head out and shop for items that will last us a for a while, I guess we have to make a list so that we won’t forget and have to start running back again” he got up and walk to the dining area, where he found a book and on the refrigerator there he found a pen and came back
“I think, we are out of everything” he said “let’s make the list, what do we need?”
“Lets see, let me have the paper, am the girl” he almost burst into laughter but gave it her
“You are the girl” she took it and started writing, she didn’t even raised her head to ask him of anything but by the time she did the paper was full and she handed it to him
“Wow you are the girl” he said these time bursting into laughter, he examined it and found out its was perfect except she had forgotten about clothes for herself
“you missed one thing, your clothes” she smile and then wrote it down, he got up and went out to the parking lot outside, it’s been a while since any of the car has been touched, he starts to wander, if any has life in it, they could use. He went back inside and brought the keys to the two cars, either one of them will be good for the take up.
He first tried the Mercedes jeep, it was his favourite when he was young, his father would take him round the city anytime was he is less busy and when he died, he uses it to school, but when his hands got dirty he never touched it again.
He tried it hard but it didn’t come to live, “I guess the battery must have been dead and he tried the other, a Prado jeep that was for his mom, he always think the car was too big for a woman, but his mom loves the car, at two trial the car came to live
“Yes” he shouted, he came out and pulls up a hose by the side and washed it and went inside.
It was seven forty five when they left the house, everywhere was dark except for the light, they drove down to Ahmadu Bello way, in the city, its where most of the malls were.
They got it there some what eight, most of malls, marts and shops were closed except for few and the road was almost empty, just few car passing by. He drove and parked infront of a departmental store called ONIBINDE, it was opened and they went inside.
The first things she looked for in the store was a cap and wore it straight to her head, she realise how risky it was and might come in contact with someone she knew and as she thought so it happened, a woman she knew as her mother’s friend passed just by her shopping as well.
Gideon noticed her reaction when the woman passed by, he knew that sonner or later problem would come knocking, they approach an attendant and handed the list to him, Gideon told him they will be back in a jiffy, they had to cross over to get some clothes for the girl and back.
In the boutique they entered running through the clothes, the came across another women, she was her momes friend as well, this time the woman was calling her name but Erica played dumb and the woman gave up. It really showed them a place; they need to hurry out of the entire place and head back home before it gets worst.
Back at the store, Most of the items had already been baged, few items were not in stock and would check around for them, they paid and the items were carried into the vehicle and in no time drove out.
“You know, that was so close” she said to him, as they drive around looking the another store to complete the shopping, the road was really deserted, and if not all the stores were closed, he thought of a store by the next street and took a turn and head out. Just by a bend they saw two flash lights ahead flashing, his mind went up and was beating simulteanously, he had a second thought, may he should make a turn and go back, but he didn’t but continued.
They were two policemen standing, it might just be a check point at that spot they stopped him and asked him to pull over
“Can i see your car license, please” one of them asked, it was really dark, no street light to reveal their face but the
touch they have flashed back on their uniform, he reach for it and gave them but it was outdated
“Oga, it seems your car papers have expired” said the police man
“Oh yes, I have forgotten to renew it, you know work is too hectic and I totally forget, don’t be annoyed I will renew it”
“What did you say” replied the other “step out of the car sir” he was aggressively shouting
“Ahh, sir it has not gone to that, can we come to an agreement please” the police man calmed down to that note
“oya waht do you have for the boys” he was robbing his jaw, as soon as Gideon reach into his pocket and brought out some money, and counted Ten thousand naira and gave them. Before they left there, he was called many title by the police men from oga to chief to king, if not that he had left, the names would have been uncountable, he turn to Erica and they laughed
“This country, money can buy anything” he said “Are you sure we can cook these night, let’s just get something from Mr. Biggs right? then tomorrow we can start ok”
“Ok” she replied and he turn in the next bend into the Mr. Biggs lot and rushed in, to avoid any story that touch, she stayed back in the car in the judgement of what she wanted, he got it in no time because the customers were very few and off they went heading home.
By ten O’clock they had already by passed all the small night point of the police and were at home laughing over the incident that had happened, they properly arranged everything they bought in the right place and were at the sitting room eating. They ate in silence watching a movie, He had never imagine himself watching a movie before but Erica had change him in just the little time they known each other.
He a little upset with her words earlier but on a second thought that’s exactly what he needed and a girl twice younger than him was telling him. He would need to think over his life but one thing always stand in between that thought “Where do i begin?” he said it out load unknowingly, she turned and saw his gaze fixed at the television, he wasn’t blinking, she felt like a conciense in him, he was thinking about what she told him, but then he noticed her head movement when the television blinked in a change of an episode, he let out a sigh to show he was now present in the room,
“What are you thinking of?” she asked him, he turn and looked at her he knew he cannot even lie to her, because she might expose him and either she would be right or close to getting it
“Just life, that’s what am thinking about”
“I hope yours is included?” She always have an answer to give him
“You seem to know how to get to me”
“And I won’t stop until you tell me the next cause of action” she got up from the couch and soon vanished into the kitchen. Leaving him the thought ‘what a punishment God had send to him to revive him and to inject him with conscience’ He got up too and followed her into the kitchen, and drop the plate in the sink. Erica was rinsing hers and quickly took his and continued washing, he reach up for two tumbulars and left the kitchen to the sitting room.
When she had finished she joined him, he was sipping on red wine but left an orange juice for her. He poured her a glass and she smiled and took it.
“I see my mom in you sometimes” he broke the silence
“May be you start calling me mom then” he couldn’t help but laugh
“You are a very clever girl and funny”
“Am glad, am here for your amusement” he alsmot choke in, while taking a sip
“You are as wise as a rabbit, they used to tell me story about rabbit, well my dad use too, He said, there was a rabbit who was being chased by a fox, a fox who was very hungry and in the cause of fleeing the rabbit fell into a hole, and couldn’t come out because the fox was waiting right there by the hole” he turn and saw her paying serious attention to him “The rabbit knows that, there is no way he could get out without being eaten by the fox, so he told the fox, I know eventually you are going to eat me but before you do, I will pass you my belongings so you can fling it to the other side for me, the fox agreed, thinking its the least he could do for his meal, the rabbit passed the first shoe and the fox tossed it behind him, he passed on the second shoe the fox tossed it again then he said here is my shirt too, the fox reach for it not knowing it was his hand, he grabbed it and fling it behind him, thinking it was jsut the shirt and was still waiting while the rabbit has already gone home.” She burst into laughter
“foolish fox” she said and continue laughing, he raised his head and look at the grand piece on the wall, it was reading fifteen minute to twelve, he wander how time flies, but he Haden’t notice it or felt it, she keeps him company and now makes him think about his life.
“Its getting late, how about we continue tomorrow Ok?”
“Yes” she answers with a nod, then got up and gave him a peck and ran upstairs.
He sat for a while thinking to himself “where do I start” thinking of how much bllod he had shed “I have shed enough blood, who do I tell?” he look up, hoping for an answer from heaven but no responses, he rose quietly and went upstairs, she was already in bed, he got an extra blanket from the drawer and left for the sitting room, he poured himself another glass of wine and sink into the couch.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Moving from the unknow danger, i have created caused us to walk, run and walk again, it was the fright in their eyes that set the panic in us, the little Emmanuella heard she would interpret to me. The guy i fought was the chief’s son, he was indeed a stubborn one, no one in the village dare challange him, that was why they were all quiet when he started his madness in the hall.
Jaan and his sister took us as far as the river, the moon was not complete yet but it ligtens the path which makes it easier, at the river we exchange thanks and hugs and pointed a direction for us to keep going, but before they turn back, I gave them some money from the bag, i could see their excitement clearly they have not seen so much.
We on the other hand took the food, one of his sister took for us and left. Far as the darkness swallow them we crossed the river and started running, I held everything to make her run fast, just when we thought we have gone far, we heard the chanting of people coming far behind us. Our pace increased, the further we move the less we heard the chanting, it grew faint with time and it stopped.
I think I must have understand why it didn’t come any further, it’s the same reason, why Jaan and his sisters didn’t cross the river, i think they have a tradition about crossing a river at night, but we did. Long further the chanting didn’t start again and we were panting with all of our strength, i told her we should rest a bit, she was second guessing but i had to calm her down, and we sat down beside a huge tree ate the food.
The moon seems to be fading away or it has been hidden behind the cloud, and the darkness took over, at least i get a perfect view of her face undr the moonlight, she wasn’t angry neither was she joyful, I ate a little and she ate the rest and we continued our journey walking.
“Where did you find the money, you gave them?” She asked,
“I told you earlier I will show something in this bag, right? Well take a look at it” the moon had reappeared and I opened the bag and she draw back a little, then look at me, I know the next thing will be, where did you get it from “it was at those monster tent, i figure we would need since we don’t know exactly where we are going”
“Its good but I don’t see its use” she wasn’t smiling
“Me either but did you see their faces when i gave them, we might not be the one to use it or time would tell, we will thank God we picked it up” she lightens a bit but still not smiling
“Are you a Christian?” the question striked me, with my name that what she could ask me
“With my name, you still ask me that?”
“Oh, Sam am sorry” she smiled
“Why did you ask?”
“Because you said we will thank God, am so glad we left that village because am so tired of it”
“You
ran from the only boyfriend, you would have made” She became upset and walked away.
“Hay” she didn’t even turn around “hay” i call again “stop” then she stopped and but didn’t turn, i came up behind her but she pushed me “look i was just making a joke, common, why are you being serious about it?”
“Well, i don’t like that kind of joke” she said
“Alright i heard you, can we continue, cos i don’t want to sleep in this bush”
We walked in silence, no of us looking at each other, it was exhausting to be with company and not altering a word to each other, and I totally felt tired of the journey and sat down on a stone. She walked few meters and realise she was walking alone, she turn but couldn’t find me, but walk back a bit and found me sitting
“What is wrong with you, you didn’t even call me”
“Well i thought you are still angry, beside it don’t feel like a journey since we walk hating each other”
“I don’t hate you, i just don’t like the statement you made that’s all, Can we go now, the moon is fading away”
“Ok” I stretched my hand so she could pull me up, in the process i saw something i quickly pull her down, she was about to complained, i covered her mouth and pointed to what i saw. We have no idea what they were but they wre in pair very tall covered in white from head to toes, her eyes were bulged out, they were walking further towards the other direction.
She was so scared; she hid her face on my chest, i could swear they were like zombies, both of them aiming at the direction they took. Emmanuella’s head was hard pressing against my chest in fright, she was pushing, i could not stand up right, i staggered backward and step on leafs that made a sound, i saw them paused and turn directly towards us, i pulled her further down, we were squatting, there face was directly where we are or so i think. My chest was beating fifty kilometre per second, i think Emmanuella was have been two hundred per second, i could feel them in her palms, she was shaking.