The atmosphere was tensed up. Chief Ezego looked from his sobbing wife to his personal aides as he pace up and down his parlour. He shook with anger as he hit his pudgy fist on the wall as if the poor wall was the cause of his problem.
“I know Chief Omenuko is behind this but as soon as I get my hold on him, he will rot in jail,” he said heaving with annoyance.
“Chief will you stop your ranting and do something we just have two days or else our only daughter will be killed”, Queen, the pretty wife of Chief Ezego shouted. Her eyes was swollen as a result of prolonged crying.
Chief Ignored her. “How can I pay five million naira to my opponent, his men is behind this, but I know what to do. Omenuko should prepare and wait for me because I will tear him into shreds, he shouted.
“Chief, I think we should act fast because the last time we spoke with Sandra her voice was barely audible, she seems to be starved”, Ekene one of his personal aides said.
Queen started weeping afresh.
“Go ahead and stack the cash in the box, we need to set off before sunset. I have spoken with Superintendent Fred, Chief Ezego said groaning. The thought of losing his money to his opponent as he termed them to be was really getting on him. Chief Ezego doesn’t joke with his money.
“Chief, remember they said we shouldn’t involve the police”, Ekene reminded.
“Will you shut up my friend, do what I ask you to do now!!, he thundered. Ekene rushed out of the parlour. Queen turned to her husband.
“Chief, I hope you know that Sandra is our only child. Will you kindly leave the police out of this so that we won’t jeopardize our daughter’s life. Five million is little compared to what you spent every time. Last week you gave your friend twenty million naira on his birthday, five days ago… but she was interrupted by her husband.
“Woman, when did you start monitoring my movements in this house. I have the cash so I spent it the way I desires, you better stop monitoring me because you will end up being frustrated he mocked.
“Really?, you are lucky that I don’t have the strength to trash you with my sharp tongue today. But I am promising you, If anything happens to my daughter Sandra I will kill you she threatened and quickly walk out of the parlour before her husband could pounce on her.
Chief shouted after her.
“I know you have been planning to kill me all these while but you won’t succeed. You are making it seem like Sandra is not my daughter too. Foolish woman”.
“Why is life unfair to me”?, Nneoma cried as she pace up and down her compound. Her hens seems to notice the plight of their owner as they pace up and down with her. Her hair was dishevelled and anyone would mistake her for a mad woman who had just let loose from her shackles, this was in tandem with her torn blouse and her old faded wrapper.
Her friend Iruka rushed into the compound.
“Nneoma , Is she not yet back? she asked holding back her friend from running to and fro.
“Iruka, what should I do?, Who did I offend?, where on earth will I get five million naira to pay the heartless men that abducted my only daughter. Where?, She is my only child”, she said sobbing.
“Nneoma, Please stop crying, let’s put head together and see if we could resolve this issue”,Iruka consoled.
“Iruka, I’m a poor widow and I don’t have any one to run to, why is life treating me this way? I don’t even have up to fifty thousand naira and they are requesting for five million. Can’t you see the gap? She said hitting her head on the ground.
“What about Chief Amandi, your late husband brother”, Iruka asked.
“He travelled out of the country last year”, Nneoma replied.
“You must be kidding me Nneoma, because I met him at the village square yesterday with his men distributing bags of rice and money to the widows, I thought you are aware”, Iruka said.
Nneoma quickly stood up and face her friend.
“Are you serious Iruka?, she asked wiping her tears.
“Yes of course”, Iruka replied.
She pushed her friend out of the way and rush out of the compound. Iruka ran after her.
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“I heard her daughter was kidnapped, serves her right Asa said swaying her hips.
“I don’t know what that mad woman think she is, she wants to prove to us that she can train her daughter in the university”, Isioma said.
The two women were returning from the market that evening when Nneoma run past them.
“I wonder where she is getting the money from, did you know that she is one of the few women training their daughter in the university Asa said.
“Moving around with men of course, I’m even suspecting my husband because he is always talking about her. Why can’t you be like Nneoma, she is doing this, she is doing that. If I ever found out they are doing anything behind my back I will kill both of them and run out of this village”, Isioma said vibrating with anger.
“Calm down Nne, you know men are not trustworthy. I am even suspecting mine with her too”, Asa lied.
“Useless woman”, I pray she never finds her daughter”,Isioma said.
“Nne, I heard her daughter is doing well in the university, just like Maxwell the young man I told you about”, Asa said smiling slyly and swaying her big hips seductively as if the young man in question is watching her.
“Yes, I heard her daughter is studying doctor”, Isioma said eyeing her friend contemptuously.
“Nne, It’s medicine, not doctor”, Asa corrected.
“I have heard”, Isioma said hissing loudly.
“What were you doing in the bush yesterday with Ndu, your husband friend? Asa asked.
“I don’t understand, how is it your business Asa? or have you start gossiping with my name?, Isioma fired.
“Isioma, your husband is critically ill and bedridden, I think you shouldn’t be seen in the village flirting with men especially his friends”, Asa said mockingly.
“Kettle calling pot black, you think I don’t know of all your escapade with Maxwell a boy old enough to be your grandson, are you not ashamed of your self? Isioma shouted.
Asa quickly turned around to see if anyone has heard Isioma but when she noticed that there was no passerby around, she faced her friend.
“Foolish woman, you think I have not heard the latest news that your ill mannered twin daughters are both pregnant for the same jobless man, what an abomination!! Asa shouted.
“I am better than you, useless woman”,Isioma thundered, “Your four daughters are unmarried with tiny bastards, roaming your compound. Nonsense!
“You can say whatever you like Isioma, you better make hay while the sun shines. Who knows if you are the one that poisoned your husband, poor man”, Asa mocked as she turned to the direction that leads to her house.
“Go to your roofless house, Useless woman!, as she quickly turned to the direction that leads to her compound.
The two friends continue hurling insults at each other until they departed from their sight.
Chief Amandi was in his big parlour which could be mistaken for a mansion watching the television when one of his men enters.
“Sir, two women are outside the gate, they came to see you,” scorpion said.
“Let them in “, he said turning the television off.
Few minutes later, the two women walked quietly into the house.
Iruka was looking from one corner of the house to another as scorpion directed them to where Chief Amandi was sitting.
“Good afternoon Nna anyi”, Nneoma greeted while bowing down and avoiding his eyes. Iruka muttered her greetings.
“Good afternoon our wife”, Amandi replied. “Please have a seat”, he said to Nneoma then he noticed that another woman was standing beside her.
“Who is this?, he asked in a rude manner.
“Nna anyi, she is my friend,” Nneoma said.
“I think she should excuse us”, Chief Amandi said.
Before Nneoma could say anything, Iruka stepped outside. Nneoma quietly sat on the fluffy sofa beside her but she wasn’t comfortable at all.
“Nna anyi, I heard you return the day before yesterday”, Nneoma said.
She was sweating despite the fact that the sitting room was properly ventilated.
“I returned from Spain last week Nneoma and what did that have to do with your coming here”, he asked scrutinizing her.
Nneoma went on her knees.
“Nna anyi please help me, my daughter, I mean your niece was abducted three days ago when she was returning from school and they demanded for a ransom of five million naira to release her. Please help me, Nna anyi”, Nneoma pleaded.
“Stand up, Nneoma, stand up. You are the cause of your predicament. I warned you not to send that girl to school but you refused, now see where your stubbornness has landed you.
Secondly, you turned down my request, which sort of stubborn brat are you? Without mincing word I will give you seven million naira only if you accept to do what I asked of you”, Chief Amandi said caressing his beards.
“Nna anyi, what you are asking me to do is impossible. I am your late brother’s wife and you a titled man, married with children. I cannot do that, it is against morality”, Nneoma said.
“Don’t preach to me woman”, everyone knew you ought to be mine before your stupid late husband took you away from me. It is either you give in to my request or you get out of my house and return no more”, he thundered.
“Nna anyi Amandi”, how could you speak so low of your late brother Nduka?, the girl we are talking about here is your late brother’s daughter Nelly. I have only two days to pay this ransom Nna anyi. Please pity a poor widow like me, or release some of my husband lands to me so that I can sell them…”, she was quickly interrupted by chief Amandi.
“Nneoma, I think you have crossed the line, please get out of my house before I call my men to throw you out”, he thundered.
“Nna anyi, please don’t do this to me, help me”, Nneoma said as tears started dripping down her cheeks.
“Scorpion!, he thundered.
Scorpion rush into the room and without any further instructions from his master, dragged Nneoma out of the house.
“What happened Nneoma?, What happened?, I mean why did he threw you out of the house like that?, Iruka asked inquisitively as soon as both women left the compound.
“Why is life treating me so badly? “, Nneoma asked crying.
“Speak up Nneoma, what happened?, Iruka inquired.
“He said he will give me the money only if I go to bed with him”, Nneoma said weeping.
“And what did you say?, Iruka asked.
“Iruka, you know it is against morality and my faith. I can’t do such evil with him”, she said.
“Really?, Nneoma why are you so daft? someone promised to give you f-i-v-e million naira and you rejected it because he asked you to go to bed with him. I hope you are joking? ,Iruka shouted
“I don’t understand Iruka”, Nneoma said looking confused.
“You will understand when they kill your daughter. I mean where on earth will you get that amount of money if not from him, did you want to end up being a poor childless widow? Iruka chided.
“Iruka, so you want me to sleep with my late husband brother for money?, Is that what you are advising me to do? Nneoma asked.
“Sit up Nneoma and don’t be a toddler. Nelly is a young girl with a promising future. Her life is worth ten thousand times the reputation or whatever you are trying to protect. You better make hay while the sun shines, remember you have less than 48 hours to pay the ransom, I am off to my house”, Iruka said as she quickly divert to the lonely path that leads to her compound.
Nneoma stood transfixed to a spot, tears was running down her cheeks in torrents. She was confused and weak. She turned back and head towards Chief Amandi house but mid way she stopped and started going back to her house. When she was some miles away from his house, she turned back and started going to his house again, when she reached to his gate, she turned back to the road that leads to her compound but she slumped on the way.
The driver drove slowly through the thick bush while Ekene, Chief Ezego personal aide dart his eyes from left to right to make sure they are within the agreed spot.
“Small Chief”, the driver called. He was addressing Ekene because it was just him and Ekene that was in the car.
“What is that Ajulu, you better concentrate on the driving”, Ekene said. He was bent on achieving this particular task assigned to him by chief and was not in the mood to discuss anything whatsoever. Ekene was recently employed by chief when his bouncer retired. Chief Ezego trusted Ekene so much that he had entrusted such task to him. Few minutes later, they reached the agreed spot and Ekene ushered him to stop. He dialed the number which had been a terror to Chief Ezego’s household especially to his wife, Queen.
“The cash is here boss”, Ekene said in a deep cool voice.
“Drop it there and move, we will bring the girl in a short while. Let it be a clean business or else we will kill this chicken here”, Poison thundered from the other end of the phone.
Ekene dropped the box of money and they drove to a reasonable distance.
Within a short while, Poison and his cohorts dragged her out and in a twinkle of an eye, they took the box of money and disappeared into the thick bush.
Ekene and the driver arrived after three minutes and carried the weak precious daughter of the Ezego’s into the car. They quickly sped off.
Chief Ezego and his wife Queen was pacing up and down the house with his wife, waiting Impatiently for Ekene to return with their precious daughter. As soon as they heard the car horn they quickly rush out of the house like kids who has patiently waited for their mother to return from the market with goodies. Ekene quickly opened the car and carried her out. Queen quickly rushed to hug her daughter with tears of joy but stopped mid way. Chief Ezego was standing akimbo with his protruded tummy pointed like that of a pregnant woman who is due and awaiting labour.
“Ekene where is my daughter? Chief Ezego thundered.
“Chief here she is”, Ekene answered with pride.
Queen slumped.
“That “thing” is not my daughter you son of a bitch”, Chief Ezego thundered as his cheeks quivered. He was sweating profusely.
“I don’t understand Chief”, Ekene said looking at the girl he was carrying. No one seems to notice Queen’s state.
“You will understand in prison”, he shouted.
“This is the same girl I have been seeing her pictures in your parlour and other places Chief, you know I haven’t met her in person since you employed me five months ago besides they brought her to us”,Ekene said while the driver nodded. He knew he was in for trouble too.
“Take that girl wherever you are bringing her from and bring back my money and daughter or else I will deal with you and your family”, Chief Ezego thundered as if Ekene was to be blamed.
“Please help me, don’t take me back there”, the weak girl pleaded.
“Shut up, you little rat”, Chief Ezego thundered while scrutinizing her, he noticed she had a striking resemblance with his daughter resemblance Sandra.
“Help me oh Lord, my enemies will laugh at me, Chief Ezego cried ,immediately he noticed his wife was lying motionless on the ground. He quickly run towards her while ordering they should rush her to the hospital.
“Baby, I think you should go home. I am not just comfortable with your stay here. What if your people start looking for you? Franklin asked visibly worried.
“Don’t tell me you are tired of me already Sandra said frowning her face. “Those people don’t allow me go anywhere, from school to the house, from house to school. I am an adult darling, can’t you see. I am tired of that kind of life. They should take care of themselves, I won’t go home until next month.
“What? I will have to throw you out of my house myself. Did you want your father to arrest me? Franklin shouted. It is not done Sandra, how can you block your people’s contact for almost one week now. I really loved the time we spent together but I think we have had enough. I think you should go now please, I sense danger”.
“Chicken!, See how you are fretting like a woman. Is this how you will protect me from danger Franklin? I don’t want to go home now, my parents won’t allow me leave the house again except I am returning to school and the driver will do that, so I am caged”, Sandra said shedding tears.
“It’s okay my darling, please don’t cry”, Franklin said wiping her tears while hugging her.
Later in the evening when Sandra was watching the television, she was terrified when she sees her picture all over the news that she was missing. She knew she was in for trouble so she started packing her things in readiness for home.
“Madam, please eat your food, It is getting cold already”, Eberechi pleaded with Queen. Queen had emaciated as a result of the disappearance of her only child. Everyday appear like a nightmare for her while her husband seems to move from one police station to the other making reports during the day but in the evening partying with friends.
“My daughter is nowhere to be found Eberechi and you want me to eat, how can I enjoy the food? Queen asked, crying.
“Madam, I have this feeling that Sandra is fine wherever she is, because I know her to an extent. She is so secretive and complain too much that you and Oga hardly allow her to go out with her friends.”, Eberechi said.
“What are you insinuating then”, Queen asked with annoyance.
“Nothing Madam,” Eberechi quickly answered.
“What about the other girl, Is she recuperating?”, Queen asked eyeing her maid.
“Yes Madam, she said she want to go back home to meet her poor mother in the village”, Eberechi answered , concluding within herself not to say more of what she had discussed with girl.
Immediately the door swing open, and Sandra walked in majestically into the room.
Queen rushed like a lioness after a prey and jump on her daughter, locked in tight embrace, tears gushed out from her eyes.
“My princess where have you been? Queen asked ,not letting go of her daughter.
“I’m fine mother, I only took a week off the house until my pictures started flying all over the news, what a bondage”, she sarcastically replied.
“We are worried my princess, we called and called but your number was switched off”, Queen said holding her daughter close to her self.
“I am an adult mother, I am 21, can’t you get it”, she shouted and disentangled her self from her mother’s grip.
Someone opened the door from behind and came into the parlour, Sandra’s bag fell off her hand.
“Nelly Nduka? she called.
“Sandra”, Nelly whispered.
“What are you doing in my house Nelly,?, Sandra shouted.
“You again?, You think you can outwit me in everything right? You failed because I have Franklin to my self now. Take Good grades to yourself, I got the man. Take everyone’s favourite to yourself, I got the love”, Now you are in my father’s house to outwit me. What are you doing here you snake!!”, Sandra thundered.
Queen was short of words she looked from one person to the another.
“Sandra, Your words scare me because I was never in competition with you. We were addressed as twins so I love you as… , she was interrupted by Sandra.
“I don’t need your love you dirty brat. I am way better than you, you came here to win my parents love to yourself too, you chameleon Sandra thundered. She turned to her mother.
“What is she doing here mother? What exactly is happening here? Is that how fast and smart you are Nelly? “, Sandra shouted.
Nelly walked up to her to explain things to her but she pushed her aside.
Queen was standing stupefied with her maid Eberechi looking at the two young ladies when Chief Ezego enters, he showed no surprise of seeing his missing daughter.
“You are a disgrace to my household you tiny brat”, he said moving towards Sandra in great force but she rushed to her mother.
“You went on a frolic of your own and put your family in such jeopardy without putting our mental health into consideration. I know you are not my seed you devil!!, he shouted.
“Dad, you are embarrassing me in front of her, she is my course mate”, Sandra shouted.
“Why won’t I, you are a disgrace to this family and I won’t hesitate to hand you over to the police if you misbehave again, silly thing”, Chief Ezego shouted.
Turning to Nelly he said.
“My daughter, I am sorry for the delay and the pain you have been through, get ready because you will be going to see your mother in the village now. I am assuring you that things will get better henceforth because she will be coming to live in the city while my wife and I deliberate on where you will be staying with her. I will sponsor your education henceforth and I want you to be comfortable with us, okay? Chief Ezego said.
Sandra quickly rushed upstairs crying and raining abuses on everyone while Nelly fell on her knees and weep. It was tears of joy.
