WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 3

I tip toed as i crossed the sitting room window because we lived down stairs and i didn't want them hearing footsteps, i almost fainted when Iya Tobi surfaced from no where genuflecting as she greeted me loudly. Her loud voice attracted Henry as he stepped out through our front door, he asked where i was headed and i quickly sort out a lie to cover up.  "i want Iya Tobi to help me buy akara from the woman down the road", thankfully i wore a slippers and the blouse i wore was one that i used at home so he didn't suspect anything.  "Give Tosin to me, while you go make the custard for the akara before it arrives" he walked up to me and carried our son.
Iya Tobi wondered why i lied, i gave her 200naira to help me buy akara and winked at her so she won't ask any questions that would raise my husband's suspicion. Iya Tobi was the same neighbour who told me about Kemi's death and how the cause is still a mystery to everyone and to think Henry married me barely one year after her demise raised eyebrows but did i care? No, i was in love with my dark hunk, he represented everything i wanted in a man, he spoilt me silly and i stupidly fell for his charms. 
One year and some months into the marriage, Henry began to change, even his parents attitude towards me was not a story to write home about, i had no one to cry to because i am an orphan and an only child, i didn't like to discuss my private life with friends so i kept everything to myself and acted like all was well. Henry changed a bit after Tosin's birth but his attitude fluctuates like network service providers from time to time and today was one of those days....
I walked back into the house and made for the kitchen, mama was there opening the refrigerator to drop the remaining part of the anniversary cake. I took out the kettle, filled and put it on fire, i brought out the custard cup and poured an amount into the plate, added water and stirred.
I thought of an escape plan but nothing was coming to my head, i could run if i was alone but i couldn't leave my son behind. 
Before i finished with the custard, Iya Tobi brought the hot akara balls, she came through the back door, i was alone in the kitchen and no one could hear us.
I asked her to help me escape and she looked at me as if i was insane. "Iya Tobi you just have to help me, today is our anniversary and they want to kill me the same way they killed Kemi, remember you told me the story yourself" i ranted without stopping to catch my breath.  She looked at me with eyes wide open as if to wonder what was happening but she agreed to help, "we have to plan the escape na" she finally said.  I smiled and thanked her.
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The plan was to put something Iya Tobi brought into my in law's custard, something that would make them sleep so i can sneak out with my son.  The plan worked and they all dozed off after the meal, we made a high five and i took Tosin with the small bag i packed and we left, this time i used the car because Iya Tobi advised i use it instead of leaving without nothing.  I drove straight to the police station and was about to report my case when my old school mate and friend who i had lost contact with, Ladi came out from one of the offices, we exchanged greetings, he is an inspector now and was on an official assignment in the state, he helped me talk with the DPO, i reported my case but it wasn't take serious as i had no evidence to prove my claims and the were mere assumptions. After speaking with the DPO, Ladi and i exchanged contacts and i left.
I decided to drive out of town, get a hotel where i can lie low till i secured a visa for i and my son, then i noticed a car following me, the car wasn't familiar but i knew i was in danger. I dialled Ladi's number severally but no answer, i managed to send a text to him about my whereabouts and the fact that i was in danger.
I looked from the mirror and saw my son sleeping peacefully, tears trickled down my eyes, "this people want to kill me and take my son, why do they want to take my life" , the thought ran through my mind as i maneuvered through other cars to dodge the car coming seriously after me. 

I got to a lonely junction and decided to turn and go back to the police station when i got a call from Ladi, he was coming too....  Before i could drop the phone on the passenger's side of the car, i lost control of the car and we pulled out of the road into the bushy parts.

I think i passed out because i woke up in the hospital to discover i had survived by chance.  When the car left the road, Henry and Iya Tobi tried to take Tosin and set the car ablaze but Ladi got there just on time to rescue me and track them down as they wanted to run with my son.
Iya Tobi whom i didn't know worked with my husband  and who was also his mistress had told them all our plans, it was perfect for them and they agreed that i would leave so that my death won't be linked to them. Tobi is my husband's son and Iya Tobi had told me about Kemi's death to scare me away from marrying Henry, there was no Kemi and the only reason Henry married me was because i was doing well in my chosen career and he needed my cash to boost his failing business.
Iya Tobi couldn't take it again and she convinced Henry and his people to kill me and make away with everything, i was dumbfounded at this shocking revelation as i reflected on my wasted years with Henry, my time and everything, the times i trusted Iya Tobi my neighbour i thought was good. My wedding anniversary turned out a day for hidden revelations, i smiled as i held unto Tosin with mixed feelings.........
Ifunanya Ononiwu (c) 2016

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 2

I got a hold of myself, stood up and dragged myself out of the room only turning back when Henry enquired to know where i was going to, "i want to check on Tosin" i replied.  "No, come back to bed, he is sleeping and you would wake him" Henry tried to stop me but i didn't look back as i walked into our son's room which is directly opposite ours.

I quietly turned the door knob and locked it, i didn't understand my dream so i decided to sleep here till morning, i didn't understand Henry's attitude of late too especially with the statement he made as i woke up.  I checked on Tosin, our eleven months old baby as he slept peacefully in his crib releasing soft snores, i looked at him and smiled.     I went to the couch in the room and lay down, i was thinking about my dream when i dozed off.....
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I found myself in a strange forest, i didn't know how to find my way out, then i saw some men chanting a strange tone,as i made to run, the caught up with me, took me and tied me up.  One of the men was my father in law, "Baba help me, what is going on here" i tried to call his attention but he looked away. I didn't see the other men's faces so i couldn't tell who they were, after a while a woman dressed in a flowing black dress came out from no where, it was my mother in law..  I wondered what was going on, what were they going to do with me, i tried to scream but couldn't find my voice, i shut my eyes tightly as they lifted me onto a table, a fire was made at one corner while a large pot of watet cooked on it.  I let out a loud cry as i saw one of the men sharpen a cutlass, when he raised it up it shone and i saw his face through the reflection,  it was Uncle Tobias, Henry's uncle.  Before i could utter a word, he cut me into two, they cut the lower part of my body into smaller pieces that were large for Owambe size of meats, my mother in law sat by the fire and was about throwing my parts into the pot when i sprang up to see Tosin crying.

I carried him out of the cot and looked at my phone to see it was 8am already, i made for the door and walked to the sitting room to behold a surprise.  My in laws were there with my husband, my mother in law held the cake that had "Happy Wedding Anniversary babe" written on it, Henry smiled and planted a kiss on my fore head.  Uncle Tobias was there too, he quickly ran into the kitchen and brought out the bread knife and a plate for the cutting of the cake, they gestured me to join Henry and cut the cake while the echoed "hip hip hip, hurry"...  My mother in law began to cut the cake into different shapes, she threw each piece into the plate just as she wanted to throw my body parts into the pot, they all laughed in a weird way or maybe it seemed so to me.....  They have never been good to me, they never liked me, Henry too wasn't the perfect husband even though i practically worshipped him, he still faulted almost all that i did.  My son has been my only solace since three years i have been in this family, my mother in law had tried to put sniper insecticide into my food once and claimed she thought it was the salt bottle as it was dark in the kitchen that day.

I wondered why my wedding anniversary had to be the day they decided to make peace with me, my father in law smiled at me and i reflected on my dream again, suddenly a thought came into my head "what if the actually want to kill me"...... Another thought came into my head again and i remembered the story our neighbour told me surrounding Kemi, Henry's first wife's sudden death, she died on their  wedding anniversary.
My dream began to make sense, they had ill intentions obviously and i will not allow myself be their scape goat, i quickly excused myself, went into the room, wore a jean and a blouse, took Tosin's bib, grabbed my hand bag which housed my Atm cards and money that i needed for a taxi and left through the back door......

Ifunanya Ononiwu (c) 2016

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

I got out of the bathroom, wondering what i would wear, it is a Tuesday and i needed to look my best for this interview, i didn't want to look over dressed or like i was going for a contest so i sort for something simple.
I quickly glanced through my wardrobe as i discovered it was 7:30am already, my interview was for 8:30am, i selected one of my beautiful black dress and an animal print blazer to go with, i put it on and checked myself out in the mirror, i looked nice, more like a real cooperate working class girl.  I picked my black Dior bag which is  more of a China product, we wear designers too, no be only celebrities sabi wear am..  I smiled as i stepped into my black jimmy choo shoe that i had purchased from a bend down select some weeks back, i was classy in all ramification and i didn't think anyone would doubt that i wasn't expensive as my cologne spoke of class too.

It was a hot morning, i desperately wished i could get a free ride, i wiggled my waist as i walked and my hip danced to the rhythm of my cat walks.  My prayer was soon answered as  two cars pulled up in front of me, a Prado jeep and a gold Honda end of discussion.  Before i could walk to the Prado jeep, he drove off, i guess he saw someone else waiting and thought i might know him.  All the same i was happy there was a car as i just had my transport fare to go and not enough to come back.  I got close and he asked if he could give me a ride, as a sharp girl i didn't hesitate to accept the offer, i got into the car and we exchanged greetings and introduced ourselves, he said his name is Henry, i smiled and told him i am Kate.  He is a dark and very handsome man, i'm sure i would trip over him a thousand times, i checked out his left finger and there was no wedding band, i smiled again, i am sure he wondered what amused this girl.
It was a quiet ride, he only asked for my destination when we got into the major junction,  "pension office" i replied....  I was expecting him to ask if i worked there and i was ready to claim that i did as a sharp babe but he didn't, he dropped me at the gate, asked for my number and left.
I walked into the pension office only to get the sad news that the interview had been canceled, "after i wasted my cloth and i was going to waste transport fare back home", i thought to myself.  I and other angry applicants grumbled as we left the premises, we were all tired of the constant interview postponements .

As i got to the gate, Henry was there in his car, i walked up to enquire what he was still doing here because i thought he had left, he said he was waiting to take me home, i was more than delighted and i quickly hopped into the car, he said he wanted to go somewhere first and if i wasn't in a hurry, we could go together. i said i didn't mind because i actually had nothing to do and we drove off.
We were on the road close to an hour and i asked if we weren't at the place yet but he said we would soon be there.  I didn't know what happened but i slept off only to see myself in a forest surrounded by Henry and three other men in black cloths that was scantily tied around their waist, they were practically naked, making sounds and saying things i didn't understand, i sat on the ground, circled with a white chalk, i was tied hands and legs, i tried to lose myself but i couldn't.  I began to cry, i asked Henry what i had done to offend him but he looked away.  Suddenly i felt  shivers all over my body, i jumped up only to see my husband, Henry staring at me with cold eyes that spoke of murder..  I asked what the problem was and he said "Kate do you know i can kill you as you sleep without anyone finding out what happened"?
I was startled at the question, i stared at him with fear in my eyes and the only thing i could think about was my dream, i looked up to the wall clock to see it was 3am and today is our 3rd wedding anniversary, thoughts of my dream flashed through my mind as i held on tightly to my pillow and wondered what it signified.........
#fiction
Ifunanya Ononiwu (c) 2016

DUSTED

June 22nd 1999,my son turned nine..  Papa and i decided to throw a lavish Birthday  party for him as papa had just been awarded a huge federal government contract and we were making plans of moving to a new town for a fresh start, i was through with law school and i was successful already,  the only thing that mattered was my son's happiness. 

The party was going smoothly until a mate called Nnanna "born by mistake", it was our neighbours son, Tito.  I came out to separate the fight as Nnanna was already stuffing sand into Tito's mouth while the other kids hailed him, when i enquired and found out what happened,  the only thing i could do was squeeze Tito's ears, i wanted to draw his ears out because the boy is as troublesome as his mother, always looking  for who to say one thing or the other to and i was sure the mum had made that statement about my son, i wanted to run into their compound and beat the hell out of her but i restrained myself.  I simply asked Tito to go home and never return to the party again as he dusted the sand off his shirt that had turned "it was white".  

 When i got into  the house, my son had a stern look as he firmly demanded to know who his father is, i was terrified by the question and wanted to lie but he cut me short when he said i shouldn't lie again that his father is Papa.  How would i tell my son that i don't know who his father is, Papa and i had decided to tell him the story when he comes of age, now how do i start explaining, i  just broke down and started crying...  I left him and went into my room to cry my eyes out while i decided to wait till Papa returns to help me salvage the situation, Papa has been helpful from the day i had Nnanna, he came as soon as he heard i had delivered, he was walking like a peacock when he left the hospital that day as the nurse narrated.  You can't blame him, i am his only child and having another child was a blessing, he made sure we never lacked anything and always put us first before any decision, he is the true definition of a real father and i was grateful he was always available when i needed him .                                                Thankfully,  my cousin Nneoma was around and made sure the chaos between the kids died down and the party continued after i went into the house. 

That evening, when i heard the car horn blaring at our gate, i felt some form of relief..  At least Papa was back to help me out of this uncomfortable situation as he always had, Nnanna refused to join in his party or eat.  Our helps had tried everything possible to see him calm but he refused to listen to anyone so the party was cut short.  Nnanna loves Papa and Papa loved him too, he listened to him and i was a bit happy that a solution would come now even though it was going to be difficult. 

After we greeted and welcomed Papa, i told him everything immediately because i haven't been myself since that afternoon, i didn't want my son to hate me as there was a story similar to mine where the son turned against his mother after she refused and swore never to tell him who his father is but my case was quite complicated and Papa decided we should tell Nnanna everything that happened, he is nine years old and he constantly got bullied because of this, its time he knew the real truth, Papa said.....  

We walked into Nnanna's room, he acted like i wasn't there and the times i caught him staring, he looked at me like i was his worse enemy, it got me more scared and i hoped he understands.  Papa spoke to him first "Nnam, your mother has told me everything that happened today and we will explain the details surrounding your being conceived, please don't hate your mother inugo", Nnanna nodded the affirmative and his face brightened a bit, then Papa signalled me to speak. 

 I held unto the wooden edge of the bed and leaned on the wall as some kind of support as i recalled that black Friday night,  30th September 1988, the day was still fresh in my memory, the day that lead to the cause of Mama's death, the day that my innocence was snatched away from me, the day that almost  ruined my life.....  Mama and i were doing the dishes late  in the night as she had engagements the next day and i couldn't do it all alone,  we had  visitors that evening, Papa had been promoted in the ministry where he worked and we had a small get together party for colleagues and friends.   We had a house  help who came in the morning and leaves by 6pm so she only assisted in the cooking while Mama and i cleared up when everyone  left, we were talking about my school of choice as i just finished secondary school... I wanted to leave Enugu for a while so i told Mama that i wished University of Ibadan offers me an admissiom instead of University of Nigeria Nsukka, i wanted a change of environment.  Mama teased me and reminded me how i ran back after one week in the boarding house and that is how i would also run back from Ibadan if i got the admission..  We laughed loudly and didn't notice we had company until we heard that unfamilair voice, Mama and i turned immediately only  to behold three huge men all in black outfits, with a black mask that revealed only their eyes which we could barely see. 

Fear griped us as we saw the big guns in their possession, i held tightly to Mama and shivered.    The tall man asked where Papa was and we told him he wasn't home yet, we didn't know if they were assasins sent to kill Papa as we heard of bloody things that went down among government workers then,  they had ran out of luck perhaps their informant might have made a mistake, Papa had gone out with his best friend, Uncle Thomas to continue the celebration, Mama was invited too but she turned it down because she couldn't leave only me at home.  The robbers searched every part of our house thinking we lied about Papa's where about but when they didn't see anyone, they dragged me into the living room, raised the jean skirt i had on and began to unzip their trousers, i screamed as i tightly shut my eyes, the tallest one was first, i could perceive his cologne mixed with sweat as he climbed on me,  he forced himself into me and i felt a sharp pain at the lower part of my abdomen as he thurst in and out with every strength he had.  Mama was held hostage by the other two and was soon shot on the left leg when she tried to break free from their grip and rescue me but they held her down and continued pounding into me, one after the other with every pain i felt, i shed hot tears...  I was just seventeen,  i wept as i lay there helpless and sore,  they left a note for Papa saying it was a lesson not to step on toes.  

Mama was bleeding seriously and i had no strength in me to stand up, i was bleeding too and i passed out, i woke up in the hospital to discover Papa got home before things went out of hand and rushed us to the hospital, our  security man wasn't spared too as they had beaten and tied him up before coming to meet us inside the house. I got discharged the next day and Mama went in for a sugery to remove the bullets in her leg, the sugery was successful but she never remained the same, she went from one sickness to the other and her health detoriated. 

Two months later, i fell ill and it was confirmed that i was pregnant, i couldn't bear it, i wanted to die and wished the ground could open and swallow me.  I was just recovering from the trauma of being raped by three strange men now this, i cried myself to sleep, starved for several days to see if i could close my eyes one night and never open them the next day, death refused to come and i was devastated.     Few days before Mama passed on, she called Papa and i and asked that i keep the baby, she asked Papa to take me to my grandmother's place in Rivers state so that i would be in a new environment till i put to bed.  It was her last wish and we had kept to it against Papa's initial decision for an abortion, i had my son there and came back to Enugu when he was a year old.  I took another exam,  got into the university to study law while Papa made sure we never lacked. 

After i narrated my ordeal to Nnanna carefully leaving out some details that might cause damage to his young mind, he wept and hugged me so tight.   He looked at me and promised amidst sobs never to feel he is a child conceived through a mistake again rather one who against all odds was born to make a mark, i was happy that i had an intelligent son as Nnanna who felt his mother's pain and who knew he had to live right at such a young age, i looked at him then at Papa and couldn't hold myself from crying, we held on to each other as we cried tears of joy.......... 

Ifunanya Ononiwu (c) 2016

DEPRESSION AND THE TWO FACED NIGERIAN

"Emeka is dead"  mother broke the news.  I couldn't believe it, our land lord's son who was full of life.  I was only gone for a little time,  how did it happen? I asked.  "They said he commited suicide", my younger brother replied. 

Mother was very sure its some witches or forces from their village that had pushed him into taking his own life, if not how else do you explain it that a young man full of life could kill himself,  we argued over Emeka's death and what could have caused him to make such a drastic decision for the few weeks i stayed.  My brother said maybe it was someone that killed him and then made it look like suicide since he was found after some days dangling from his ceiling fan. 

I couldn't argue much that Emeka might have been depressed all the while before contemplating suicide.  No one else besides me knew that a friend of mine at the time was also suffering from series of depression because she had a broken relationship and i haven't been finding it easy at all helping and acting as counselor even though we had to hide under the guise that everything was cool.  

Well after i got hold of life and my friend  snapped out of depression after seeking medical help. I reflected back to Emeka and the little time i knew him, he was a graduate with a good result, we spoke a couple of times whenever he came home and i realized he had been out of school for so long with no job and business wasn't his thing even when he tried.  The youngman didn't look too happy the last time i saw him but i didn't know how frustrated he had become, if only he had poured out his heart, maybe he would have gotten help and would still be alive today..... 

Depression as defined by Merriam webster is a psyconeurotic and psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hoplessness and sometimes suicidal tendencies.                                                                A lot of celebrities suffer depression too, most people can't handle scandals, financial crises, rape, abuse, unemployment and unfortunately they fall into depression. 

This is the ordeal of many young Nigerians, even parents don't help matters, some would always tell you how successful your mates have become while you are here asking them for money when you are supposed to be bringing home, people are driven into frustration and they lapse into been depressed and are still expected to live as though everything was alright, as though nothing bothered them and they just had to hustle or else.... 

I don't know how bad it gets but a young man i just met recently told me he had to take up a job where he receives salary that is not even enough for his transportation just so he can leave the house before he falls into depression, he also told me he had gotten a better offer before the new job but he declined because there were unrealistic conditions attached to the job and he would have been frustrated doing it which contributes greatly to depressive episodes. 

Most Nigerians are living two lives, in the public,  they are assumed as happy and have everything going well with them because we have been wired to look and act like normal even in the midst of our problems choking us and we have been wired to always believe "it's well" even when we know we need help but in the dark we are sober and glommy and thinking, hearing  voices and contemplating easy ways to overcome our fears and dejection.... The major thing that leads many into attempting suicide! 

Just like Emeka, many people can't handle depression or get help. Some hide it because no one would even listen to them or believe them, its a sad turn of event because while we think we are enlightened enough, a lot of people around us are down with depression but we don't know because we have been groomed to encourage the "two faced"  life. 

Ifunanya Ononiwu (c) 2016

THE JOURNEY 8

Several years had passed and Akidi flourished, he became one of the richest farmers in Owa and Ozoemena, his son grew into a handsome strong young man so also has Uzoamaka, his betroth grown into a very pretty woman. She comes around to assist them in cooking and cleaning, Akidi didn't remarry so Uzoamaka was really of help to Ozoemena whenever she comes around, Ozoemena had accepted her as a sister and haven't wrapped his head around the fact that his father insists on addressing her as his daughter in law.

Akidi knew he was getting old and weak and needed to fulfill his promises to Nnuka, the time to make things straight had come.  That evening, after they had dinner, Akidi called Ozoemena into his Obiri and explained why he is going marry Uzoamaka even though he may not love her enough and the circumstances surrounding his birth and naming, he explained his sojourns to his son and the strange deaths of his grandparents, mother and older siblings. 
Ozoemena was reluctant at first until he encountered a strange woman on his way to the farm one day, the woman advised him not be stubborn and asked that he marry the girl his father had chosen, she spoke in parables but told him it was for his own good, that evening Ozoemena narrated it to his father and described the strange woman who according to Akidi fit into Nwayinma, his mother's description.

Two weeks after the encounter and after much ponder, Ozoemena decided, he told his father, they informed Uzoamaka's family and fixed a date. 
The next Nkwo day was the traditional marriage, on Afo Owa they bought all the item's required, Akidi also bought new wrapper's for his in laws and for the bride and Ozoemena, he bought the same material.   The marriage rites was performed and there was merry after which they took Uzoamaka home and lived in harmony.

Uzoamaka reflected Nnuka in every way, she had her charisma and happy attitude towards things, she was the perfect choice and Ozoemena had to appreciate his father's advise for him to marry her. She soon conceived and on the ninth month she bore twins, male and female.
Akidi's house hold was filled with joy and laughter and he was overwhelmed with such great news, he thanked his chi and made a sacrifice in appreciation.

Two years later, Akidi joined his ancestors, he died a happy and fulfilled man.  Happy that his lineage remained and he made proper reconciliation with whom he offended and that he walked through his own journey and made a better second chance of it.....
The End!
Ifunanya Ononiwu (c) 2016

THE JOURNEY 7

Five days gone and Akidi was not yet back, Okeosisi was restless and pacing about the shrine while Dibia Okpanri continued in his incantations. Thick clouds of smoke from a pot filled with concoctions that cooked in a corner escaped from the thatched roof of the shrine, Okeosisi's eyes followed the smoke even as his head ran wild in thoughts. 
"Wise one, its already five days and my friend is yet to return, what is happening?"  queried Okeosisi with an almost weeping tone and worried face, the Dibia replied calmly that he was doing his best to bring Akidi back.

While Okeosisi paced about frightened and deep in thoughts about his friend, he had the rumbling of the heavens like it was about to rain but this was harmattan season and it can't rain... The rumbling was even louder and he was scared,  "what is going on?" Okeosisi asked the Dibia again, who then announced it was Akidi's come back.  
The drum cover went off with a mighty sound and Akidi sprang up like someone who was awakened from a deep sleep, he looked weak and was too tired to talk.   He was helped out of the drum and the Dibia asked him to lay on the floor till he regained his strength, he later narrated his ordeals to the Dibia and how he found it difficult to gain access back to the living when his sojourn was over.

After Akidi got strength, they thanked the Dibia and made back to Okeosisi's maternal house to rest awhile and prepare to leave for their own village the next day.

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It was a glorious arrival as Akidi and Okeosisi arrived Owa, Ozoemena was excited to see his father and Akidi was happy his journey was over and they could live in peace now.  The next day he took his son and some relatives to betroth Ozoemena to Uzoamaka, the family received them well and it was agreed that when Uzoamaka becomes ripe for marriage,  the full marriage rites would be performed, they were already in laws and that's the important part.

Soon Akidi's ailment was gone and his debtors began to pay him back what they owed him, even when the planting and harvesting seasons came, his crops flourished.  He bounced back to life and became rich again, he usually visited Uzoamaka's family with gifts which signifies his interest is still in the child.  Ozoemena didn't understand why they owned Uzoamaka's family a lot even after his father explained that she was going to be his wife, "he is still a child" everyone told Akidi and "he would understand when he is of age" ......
Ifunanya Ononiwu (c) 2016