₦airaland Forum

CHAPTER 2
JANUARY 1 1987
It is exactly two years that Ben Maurice left the shores of Nigeria after signing the peace pact with the Nigerian government. And everything had returned to normal except that, there is in place, discrimination between the ethnic groups in the country, the Yorubas and Hausa are finding it hard to associate with the Igbos considering the great turmoil they made the country go through and the Igbos on their part are still hurting from the fact that, their leader, Ben Maurice fooled them into agreeing to become a soveriegn nation and when the decision led to war, they all stood their grounds and fought the war, only for Maurice and the traditioal chiefs to collect a substantial amount of money from the government and they agreed to the peace pact. The aggrieved Easterners in a bid to retaliate took law into their hands and made sure, no government oil worker was allowed entry into the various oil wells to extract oil and take it to the refinery for processing, the eaterners were joined by fellows from the Niger Delta and oil became scarce, they vandalised pipelines, got oil illegally, process it locally and sell it off at cheap prices.
The government had on several occassions sent millitary troops to combat the aggrieved Easterners, but they were either set ablaze even before they arrived the oil wells or they were attacked massively by the natives.
The economy of the country was begining to dwindle, the international community is not offering a helping hand, the West African community was looking and they seemed to be enjoying themselves, the African community was not even talking about it, while the petroleum producing countries under the agies of OPEC told Nigeria point blank that the issue going on in the East has to do with governance, give the Igbos the chance to rule, and peace will reign, but no one was willing to hand over power after having a taste of how it feels to be in power.
But today, a new government was being inaugurated, a palace coup took place the previous day and the democratic president was killed during the bloody coup.
Major General Eke Obiano is the new president, while Colonel Mark Anthony would be the de-facto leader, the number two man. The country was thrown into great chaos the moment Eke Obiano announced himself as the new head of state, not because they hated milliatary government, but because the millitary government trauncated democracy and the head of state is an Easterner.
Nothern elites and activists as well as their south west counterparts were against the emergence of Eke as the new head of state. Series of protests were staged, several government workers went on strike, students boycotted school, politicians campaigned against his government, the nation was thrown into great chaos, but Eke Obiano remained focused and unperturbed. He assumed office as planned and the first thing he did was sack all the civil servants who went on strike on the grounds that they were not ready to work with his government, therefore he should replace them with people who are willing to work. He diversified the economy, just the same policy that The East Nigerian republic and the Federal republic of Nigeria allegedly agreed to. While fifty percent of the economy is generated from petroleum and natural resources while the other fifty percent will jointly be generated from Agriculture and Industry. His efforts were lauded, but his disciplinarian antics were just too much. His government dictated the prices to sell basic need in the market and any erring market woman or man would be sent packing from their shops. But the seeing the success of a government is just the problem of some people. They are tagged enemy of progress and therefore they are ready to do anything make a government look like it has failed in all sectors.
And then coup plotters emerged, they want him out.

--to be continued--

--continuation--
While December 28 happened to be the happiest day in his life, the day he was able to actualise his long term aim, the day, he said it to his wife's face that he wanted out of the marriage, even though he still loved her, but some unseen forces are successfully pulling him away from his loved one, January first was the worst day.
He walked out of his bedroom into the living room where his live in girlfriend was preparing coffee for him.
"Are you set?" She asked.
"Yes I am." He replied as he tucked in his uniform, tightened his belt and picked up his boot to wear.
As he put a leg on the nearest stool, he could hear a voice. A voice that brought tears to his eyes, a voice that slapped him hard accross the face and reality clearly written before him.
"I have come to seek peace." That was all he heard before, the Nigeria's national anthem came on air. The voice unmistakably belonged to Ben Maurice, the man behind the the thirty one days war in the country. The man who vowed to sustain the idependence of the East Nigeria republic, even with his life, has publicly called for peace.
"Now, every soldier can go home to reunite with their families. And yes, Nigeria, we are one."
"so, he is still speaking?" He asked himself.
"Here is your coffee." His live in girlfriend announced and all hell got loose as he pounced on her and beat her until he could beat her no more. Before he angrily pushed her out of the house.
Minutes later, calls started coming in, from friends, families, well wishers and colleagues at work who wanted to know how he took the news. The way they spoke with concern made him feel better, but the thought of the war being over was something that is worth crying for. And four hours later, he recieved a suprise call from Grace, even though he couldn't talk to her. The moment he heard her voice, he just started crying. Just within the space of four days, he lost two important things in his life at present. He lost his wife and the war is over.
"Grace, I love you and I still do." He said as he sat on the floor thinking about the last thirty one days. The war he had thought would take months or if possible years ended abruptly after a month. He could remember the events of the previous day, they still killed hundreds of rebel soldiers as his troops advanced from Orji river into Akwa in Anambra and forced the rebels out of their camp, in another development, the rebel soldiers still attacked Adani and Umulokpa the previous day and took over the two villages.
So, why the sudden change in heart? Ben Maurice still addressed his followers last night claiming the war would continue, but now, the same Maurice within eight hours returned to say he wants peace.
And something that hasn't happened for thirty one day happened five minutes later, the electric bulb in the living room came on and illuminated the large room. And a minutes later, the television slowly came on than despite its screen colour, he could clearly see a peace agreement being signed.
The president of Nigeria and Ben Maurice were standing on either side of a small table inside the presidential villa, Lagos. British prime minister was standing very close to them, as well as a few world leaders. The president of Nigeria picked the pen from its case and signed on a blue paper, there were applause from the background and he subsequently handed the pen to Mauric who collected it and reluctantly after five minutes signed on the paper. The British Prime minister subsequetly collected the pen and appended his signature too.
The three men hugged one another, even though Maurice only wrapped his arm around the president, he made sure he had no other bodily contact with him. And five minutes later, Maurice entered a presidential aircraft which was waiting on the open filed and the helicopter took off.
That was when Mark knew he was at loss, the peace agreement has been signed, Ben Maurice has recieved pardon for causing unrest in the country, he has been allowed to fly in a presidential aircraft out of the country.
And the soldiers who faced the bullets would get nothing in return, even the rebel soldiers.

END OF CHAPTER 1

--continuation--
December 28 was a day that Grace would not forget in a hurry. Reason being that, early in the morning, Colonel Mark Anthony, her husband had addressed the country and declared Udi, Enugu and Nsukka safe and habitable. The news was greeted with joy and Grace was particularly happy that she would reunite with her husband and make their marriage work one more time. Even though she was angry because, Mark didn't deem it fit to tell her that he had became a colonel and she had to find out in the news. But love they say knew no bounds, and she was quick to forgive him and looked forward to meeting him later in the day at Udi barracks, a suprise visit she called it, so they can discuss whento return to Udi.
She arrived at the Barracks as early as nine o'clock in the morning and she was urshered into Colonel Mark's office who at the time was not on seat. And before long, Grace was asked to go and meet her husband in their flat inside the barrack.
She happily swayed her hips towards the flat which was a ten minutes drive from the offices, but she decided to walk so as to waste more time and make him restless and impatient. But unknown to her, her decision to trek the distance was the last straw that broke the camel's back because, the fifteen minutes afforded Mark the time to get undressed and at the same time UnCloth the two women in his bed and by the time Grace walked in, the were already at it.
"Mark!!!!" She screamed as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Who is she?" One of the ladies asked.
"My wife." Mark replied. "Let not spoil the fun, she is not important."
"Mark, why? Why are you doing this to me? Mark!!" She cried as she sat down on the floor.
"Mark, whatelse do you want? Can't you stay away from women for twenty five days? Can't you invite me over? I mean, I am your wife and..." She was saying when he cut her shut.
"Twenty five days is not much, but who knows what you are doing over there in Nsukka with those university boys?" He asked.
"Anyways, if you don't mind, feel free to join us here." He said before resuming the ungodly act he was engaging in with the two love peddlers on the bed.
She could take it no more, she was loosing her sanity. She couldn't imagine herself watch three adult have sex and she was begining to feel the heat and the urge to join them, but she needed to clarify some things with her about to be ex husband.
"Mark, what are our chances?" she asked.
Mark Anthony bursted into laughter. "What chances? This marriage has since been over, the moment you left for Nsukka without my consent."
"Mark, I told you I was going to Nsukka and you even sent a car and two soldiers to accompany me." She cried.
"You asked for a vehicle and security. You didn't ask if I want you to go. Anyways, there is no point. Just make sure you take care of my children, I will be back in ten years to claim them, but right now, you have to get out of my house."
She couldn't argue, she just walked dejectedly out of the house and that moment, she kissed her marriage goodbye. The bright future she had dreamt of with her family became unrealistic even though, she vowed that moment to give the best to her children so that when they become well to do in the future, their father's conscience can always prick him anytime he collects money from them.
She felt heartborken and ended the year 1985 as a dejected woman who could not spend thirty minutes without shedding tears. Her children couldn't understand, but Junior the eldest knew it had to be about their father, but he couldn't ask questions, because he had no idea of what to ask.
At a point, Grace blamed herself for her present predicament, because she had been warned by one of her cousins who is also married to a soldier. Her cousin adviced her to divorce Mark the moment he left home for camp, because it was a normal thing for soldiers to cheat on their wives during wars, but Grace claimed her husband can never do such. And while, her cousin's marriage is back, her marriage has been broken and there is nothing she could do, rather tahn live with it.

--to be continued--

--continuation--
Today is the 25th of December 1985, exactly twenty five days that the North eastern region came into existence. And within those twenty five days, several things had happened. While, the Nigerian government continued to strengthen the army by providing them with arms, increased salary packages and encouragement, the International community put their weight behind the East Nigeria republic. Big countries such as, Russia, China, France to mention a few. And while Britain was caught in between two countries who were once under her once, the British prime minister adviced the two countries to meet and reach an agreement that East Nigeria would gain her independence, but in the international scene, they would be seen as one. Just like in the case of Great Britain which consists of countries like, the united Kingdom, Wales, Ireland, Scotland to mention a few, but political elites in Nigeria refused and as a result of the pressure mounted, the government backed out of any intended talks with the Eastern region.
The only country that backed Nigeria was the United state of America who after the Eastern region Bank produced the ER dollar, the US government claimed she would not recognise the currency in the international market and therefore, the ER dollar was devalued even before the money was officially launched.
And while the Nigerian soldiers has over the days recaptured few of the villages under the jurisdiction of the rebel soldiers, towns and villages like, Awgu, Ezeagu, Isi-Uzo have all been recaptured. Therefore, the rebel soldiers are massively in charge of Anambra which was serving as their base and government house.
----
Grace walked out of the house with a bucket full of water and headed towards the backyard.
"Good morning Mummy Eniola." A young lady greeted her.
"Yes o, Aunty Ifeoma. Merry christmas to you." Grace replied.
Grace and her children had to exit the town of Udi when the rate at which soldier's families were been targeted, even when the Nigerian government announced its intention to give amnesties to the rebel soldiers, but it seem they already made their minds up.
Grace on her part considered her marriage with Mark Anthony a history because the last time they talkes was on the 10th of December and every attempt made by her to contact him all proved fruitless. At some point, she travelled all the way from Nsukka to Udi just to see him, but she was not allowed entry into the Barracks.
"Mummy Eniola, I am inviting you to our church for a christmas dinner." Ifeoma said giving her an invitation card. Certainly, she must have been thinking for a long time because she didn't know when Ifeoma left the backyard and entered the house to fetch the invitation card.
"I'll come." She replied smiling.
A minute later, she had emptied the content of her bucket and had washed it, refilled it with the water which ran from inside the University and returned into her room where she would no doubt be spending the whole day sewing the clothes she was given by her customers and also making sure that her children enjoyed the christmas day even though this is not the kind of christmas wished for her children.
---------
Mark Anthony in the last fiteen days had enjoyed himself as a newly promoted Colonel who now sits in the comfort of his office while the millitary troops face the rebel soldiers where the war is very hot. But, he wouldn't sit in his office during the day, because according to the training he went through, he was told that as a soldier, there should be no office when there is war. Everyone in khaki should move out enmass and fight the war to the end.
And while Mark led the war from the front, he was allowed to return to the barrack at every 6pm where he would pass the night and join them the following day. This routine has been in place for a week now and its seemed to be working because, the troops feels more encouraged when they see Major Generals in their midst, when they recieve calls from the president every morning. They had successfully sent the rebel soldiers who were moving with impunity in cities like Nsukka, Udi to mention a few away and those regions are rebel free except the city of Anambra which has been taken over by the rebel soldiers and with an act of brutality, civillians were being killed and soldiers alike.

--to be continued--

--continuation--
Major General Ben Maurice was addressing a press conference outside the government house in Lagos with several mean looking soldiers flanking him on both sides and even at the back.
"I know everyone is anxious to know the outcome of my meeting with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I must tell you that the meeting went well. We have decided to work together as two neighbouring countries and with our recent independence, trade within the West African community will be encouraged." He began.
"But sir, the men of the Nigerian Army claimed to have locked all the bothers into the eastern states, basically Enugu which is the capital of the region." A journalist asked.
"The East Nigeria republic is a soveriegn nation. So many treaties has been signed. Economic, trade, security to mention a few. To avoid illegal immigrants into our country is the reason why the Nigerian government decided to come to our aid." Ben Maurice replied.
"And moreso, if the Nigerian army decides to lockdown the boarder out of Enugu and Nsukka, what about the boarder into Enugu? I mean if we can't access Enugu through Anambra and Nsukka through Benue, we sure can enter through Abia and Ebonyi. Or what do you say to that? At least, they are under our jurisdiction too and the boarders are not on lockdown." Ben Maurice asked.
The journalists all exchanged confused looks. They were addressed by the Vice president of Nigeria early in the morning and he claimed that the government is working tirelessly by empowering the millitary to make sure the rebel soldiers are not allowed massive entry into Enugu and they should be choked inside the less populated Anambra where they are based until they surrender. Also in his words, the vice president said that the president of the new soveriegn state would be at the government house in Lagos to discuss with the democratically elected president of Nigeria.
"But sir, just yesterday, a group of soldiers attacked the House of Assembly in Nsukka and fifteen lawmakers were killed. What do you have to say to that? Are these soldiers from your country or are they just being uncultured and heartless?" A female journalist asked.
General Ben Maurice jaw tightened.
"Get her out of here? Smash her camera and make sure she doesn't return home the way she left home." Ben Maurice ordered his soldiers and before anybody could react, the lady journalist was already being dragged out of the conference room.
After successfully harassing almost half of the journalists in the room, Ben decided to leave, even though he didn't want to leave, but when he recieved messages from the President of Nigeria, he had to respect the fact that he is in a different country.
----
Before the President of the federal republic of Nigeria could address the press one hour after Ben Maurice left, there had been calls from different sections of the country asking the president to resign, sice he couldn' uphold the unity in the country and allowed himself to be compromised.
There were calls from the international community commending the president for granting independence to the Eastern region. According to them, it is a very bold step to take and the addition of another country would allow the diversification of the Africa's dwindlling economy. Such that while Nigeria would focus mainly on Agriculture, the Eastern region would focus mainly on Petroleum and natural resources. Thereby, enriching the African community.
The president was quick to deny such claims and during his one hour press conference, he spoke with anger. He spit fire as he spoke, one could see fire in his eyes as he addressed the press who he gave no chance to to ask quetsions for he had drafted twenty five possible questions for himsefl and he answerd them all. In the end, he made the decision that Ben Maurice be expelled from the Army and stripped of all his ranks while he further commended the Nigerian Army for the good job they had been doing so far.

--to be continued--

--continuation--
The time was 2am and the snores of about one hundred soldiers could be mistaken for tha roaring of a lion. Mark was seated somewhere in his tent listening to their snores and trying hard to supress his laughter. It was more fun when his listens for five seconds and tries to attribute a particular snore to a soldier.
Today was the second night he didn't visit his family. He had made it a point of duty to always return home every night or most times in the morning as early as 2am to spend a little time with his children and also to offer emotional support to Grace who was growing lean by the day. Who wouldn't loose weight? When you are expected to take care of two little kids when a war is ravaging the city and the barracks in which they were and also thinking about her husband who was leading a millitary troop at the war front. She couldn't sleep at night, for the fear of one of her chidren crying and alerting the rebel soldiers who thought no one was in the house and also praying for her husband's safety against all odds. And also, the latest attack on her shop is enough to make her become as lean as a broomstick.
He felt the urge to run out of the camp and head back into the city to check on his wife, but there was no means of transportation except for the millitary vehicles provided for every camp and to drive the vehicle, one must be prepared to die because, mere shutting the door, could alert the dead. Not to talk of starting the engine. Everything about the vehicle represents noise. And returning to Udi on foot could also mean death, because the journey will take him at least an hour by foot and by the time he finished checking on his family and returns to the camp, he was sure to run into a group of the rebel soldiers who would show him no mercy before pulling the trigger on his head.
The best he could do for now is to keep praying for his family and do all he could to bring an end to this war.
His heart flew into his mouth immediatly he saw a torchlight flash against the canopy used to construct his camp tent. He silently crawled towards the entrance and peeped, only to see about fifty soldiers standing at strategic location laughing.
"Useless Nigerian soldiers, they don sleep." One of the soldiers said.
There was no way Mark could alert his colleagues without alerting the rebel soldiers who have taken over the campsite, so, all he could do now is to watch what they had to do. And slowly, he crawled out of his tent and hurried into the bush behind.
"Drag them all out of the tents." The commander of he rebel soldiers ordered and immediately, his colleagues set to work.
Mark couldn't explain what was wrong with his men. He couldn't understand why non of them woke up despite the loud voices of the rebel soldiers. Maybe the garri they ate during the day had affected them. He concluded, but he drank from the garri too and here he is still awake.
"You have so many things on your mind, your family's safety. You can't sleep." His subconscious mind told him and he quite agreed. Afterall, the majority of the men with him are bachelors, while the few married ones are either from the South or the North where there families are or they simply don't just care about the welfare of their families.
And as if his subconscious mind spoke to the sleeping soldiers, just before the rebel soldiers could bring out ten soldiers from the tents, the others rose up and attacked the rebel soldiers. They came out all hard on them, such that they hit them unexpectedly which forced the rebel soldiers to retreat. What can fifty soldiers do to a hundred soldiers who were just waking up and the first thing on their mind was to make use of the guns in their hands.
As the rebel soldiers fled, the men of the Nigerian Army followed them and the gun battle continued. As the rebel soldiers killed one Nigerian soldier, the Nigerian soldiers killed two rebel soldiers.
Mark Anthony from where he was hiding knew what to expect from the rebel soldiers, because as an experience millitary man, he knew the first thing that they(the rebel) ought to do was kill everybody on the campsite, rather than waste time laughing at the sleeping soldiers. But from the look of things, he knew the rebel troops were trying to lure his men into a trap, probably a waiting thousands of soldiers laying ambush some where.
"Back off!!!" He ordered as he ran out of his hideout accross the campsite and at once, his men stopped and the rebel troops escaped.

--to be continued--

--continuation--
The whole of Enugu which has been adopted as the capital of the new soveriegn nation of the East Nigeria has in the last five days experience massive take over. While the president of East Nigeria, Major General Ben Maurice had in a press conference after a stalled meeting with the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, expressed his desire to make the Udi Army Barracks in Enugu the government house, while Nsukka will house other government offices, ministries, parastatals to mention few. And this had prompted the Chief of Defence staff to order the men of the Nigerian Army to lockdown every boarder into the two cities and also keep close watch on the boarders. And since the battalion led by Captain Mark Anthony arived the Udi which was had only Orji river dividing it with Akwa, a city in the old Anambra kingdom. And in the intelligence report submitted, it was clearly stated that the rebel soldiers could be based in Anambra, considering that fact that, Udi is the first stop while entering Enugu through the Orji river, which was why the millitary has intensified the level of their defence and several successes has been recorded even though the entry and exits have been blocked succesfully, but the rebel soldiers living in Nssuka, Udi and other towns were doing a lot more harm than good.
Nsukka, being the centre of attraction in the whole of Enugu was located up north and it was bothered to the north by Ibagwa-Aka and to the east by Obollo-Afor which bother Enugu from Orukpa, a village in the present day Benue state and the old North central zone. Another millitary teams has been put in place in Nsukka to bring to an end, the activities of the rebel soldiers which threatens the national unity.
Mark Anthony was addressing his team and from the look of things, they were all angry and in a foul mood.
"I understand all your grievances and I must say it is good that you are protesting and threatening to boycott the way. But it is worthy of notice, that in everything we do, Nigeria should be the first, not our almost empty bank account or our wellness. This battle is our collective reponsibility and until we win this, we would dance to no new tune."
"We need equipments, we need food, we are starving. Is that too much to ask for?" A section of the assembled officers chanted.
"The government is about to sign a arms deal with the United states of America and sophisticated weapons would be procured." Mark explained and watched the reaction of his men, but they remained indifferent about the latest information.
"This what we were trained to do. Lets join hands and uphold the unity of this country." He went on.
Just then, the quiet forest was disturbed by a loud noises above them. Mark turned to look at what was making so much noise, and what he saw made him do what every right thinking millitary personal will do.
"Take cover everybody, its a chopper." He commanded as he himself took off and went to hide behind the only amooured tank in the camp. Other soldiers took cover by hiding inside the camp tents, others hid behind sacks of grain which has been thier only source of food.
A minute later, sacks were be thrown from the choppers numbering up to three onto the ground.
"Hold on everybody." Captain Mark ordered. His greatest fear was the sacks and bag turning to something else. He knew the rebel soldiers could decide to attack them from the air, even though the chances of the rebel soldiers using air strike is very slim, but one couldn't rule it out.
Five minutes later, the choppers flew off and the camp experienced calm and quietness. Soldiers were whispering silently, all looking at Mark's direction for the next line of action.
"Someone check out the sacks." Mark ordered and watched as a young recruit walked towards the first sack, opened it and smiled.
Inside the first sack was a locally processed garri and the second had arms and amunitions from the 1940s, but regardless of how outdated the equipments are, its better than not having any at all. Inside the third sack was other rice and other foodstuffs.
The whole camp became rowdy as the soldiers all at once attacked the sack of garri and were eating it raw without thinking of even drinking water which was not yet available in the camp except they drink from the polluted, Orji river.
Mark stood a few metres away from them as he watched loads of garri being wasted on the floor. Truely, hunger is a very bad thing.

--to be continued--

This literary work is a work of fiction and it is based on the imagination of the writer, any resemblance, to person, persons, family, tribe, either dead or living is purely coincidental.
----------------------------------------
And everything that has to do with the 1967 Civil war has been edited and replaced. Fiction should be fiction and this story is not meant to spite a ethnic group or religious group.
Lets us all enjoy a jolly good ride.

Spongia1:
Well done oga d9ty7, but as a personal student of history, I want to make some reservations.
1. The Nigerian Civil started in 1967 not 1985.
2. It was caused by the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup d'etat and the July 15, 1966 counter coups.
3. The January '66 coup was performed by Ibos who were disillusioned with the state of affairs of the country. This brought aguiyi Ironsi into power.

Historical facts such as the Nigerian Civil War should not be tampered with. Take a leaf from Chimamanda's Half of a Yellow Sun

I understand everything that you are trying to say. Its not like I am tampering with the historical fact. As a story that was based on my imagination, I am just making use of the civil war to pass accross a message of what the war looks like. Its the civil war in my own imagination.
And moreso, using 1965 and everything that happened during the war feels somehow from my own perspective. Why should I write something that we already know? I am passing accross a different message.
And mind you, starting the story this way is just to let the readers see how the soldiers fought to uphold the unity of Nigeria and how they were treated afterwards and the reaction of the soldiers.
CIVIL WAR 1967 is different from the civil war 1985 in this story. I don't intend to write something that might lead to bad blood from my Igbo brothers.
Chimamanda writes exactly as it happened then cos her story revolves around the war. Only 10% of this story revolves around the war, the other ninety is about the present day Nigeria. But to clear the air, I'll just edit everything that has to do with the civil war.
Thanks once again.

Update rolls in after 12noon

[size=24pt]PART 1[/size]

__________________________________________

CHAPTER 1
Grace Omotolani Anthony was seated on the three seater couch, her son, Junior sitting on his laps. Tears was welled up in his eyes as she tried to make her cries silent. She just recieved a devastating phone call which gave her every reason to cry. One of her shops, the one in Enugu has been set ablazed by the angry Biafran soldiers.

Grace who was an university drop out possesed the business orientation that most Phd olders in Business admin couldn't boast of. When she lost her father ten years ago, she had to leave school to enable her brother continue while she was enrolled in a vocational institute where she learnt the act of sewing and fashion designing.

Being a young girl who has always dreamt of becoming a very independent woman in the future, she started doing businesses of her boss the moment she was able to do one or two sewings perfectly. She would gather clothes from her neighbours, back then in the city of Abeokuta and take it to shop where during break when all the apprentices were out to find something to eat, she would quickly do the mending of those clothes. Sometimes when the clothes are too many, she slip two or three in between the clothes assigned to her for the day . She continued this way for the first one year before every other apprentice started doing likewise, she had to stop after a year, but by then she had saved enough to buy a sewing machine which she was using to sew at home and make money and at the shop, she stopped the fast business she was doing. And before long, the other apprentices were caught in the act and the punuishment was for them to spend an extra six month learning.

After her graduation two years later, she started sharing a shop with her mother who sells foodstuff and the rate at which she made money was quite encouraging fora girl of twenty four years. She remained focused, regardless of whatever problems they are facing. It was during that time that her brother who by now has graduated from the university wants to travel abroad to seek greener pastures. Grace in her own little way was able to help which was her greatest undoing, because her business came crashing. And as if they were waiting for her to suffer a misfortune, about five girls in her street brought out their 1952 sewing machines and they overthrew her business. She had to pack up her sewing machine and travel to Lagos where she met a young Mark Ashimolowo, who at the time was a Second lieutenant. They started going out and the man she met as Mark Ashimolowo became Mark Anthony a few weeks to their wedding which was when he got promoted to the post of a Lieutenant.

From the Ipaja Barracks in Lagos, Mark was got his transfer letter to Jos on his wedding night and immediately the following day, he left Lagos for Jos for the start of a new life. Mark was able to set up a shop for his wife and within a month, she had had about five apprentices. Being a shopping complex, Grace rented a second shop on the same floor and the business continued to thrive, but she had issues with the natives, language. After the first two years, Grace became a cloth maker who stopped mending clothes and did little of sewing on request. She now make clothes and sell them to interested buyers. She sew clothes with native attires and people come to buy from her. And just when she was begining to find her feet, Mark was transferred to Ogun state and she had to travel to the south with her equipments. While in Abeokuta, she had no problem settling down because that was where she grew up, she knew the tricks and before long, she became very popular with tens of apprentices and many staffs who assisted in the sewing and get paid at the end of the day. She had Junior while in Abeokuta and exactly when Junior clocked one year, Mark was once again transferred to Lagos, only that this time, he was transferred to Dodan barracks to serve with the then head of state. Grace didn't bother closing her shop in Abeokuta, all she had to do was put it in care of her cousin and mother and in Lagos, she began something bigger and before Long, she was sewing for the wife of the head of state and other top millitary officer's wife.

Two years later, the head of state conducted an election and a democratic head emerged. The millitary council were dissolved and this effected Mark's transfer to Enugu where he had lived since.

And now that one of her shops is gone, what she had worked for in the last ten years is gradually wearing off during her lifetime.

"Here is the water madam." Sisi said as she walked into the living room, Eniola strapped to her back and a big jug of water in her hands.

"Is this the last water in the house?" Grace asked and Sisi nodded in the affirmative.

The flow of water to houses in the barracks has been stalled since the start of the week.

--to be continued--

Kingzpen: If no be you, who else? After you, na you.
Stick around boss, I dey learn like a learner

stuff46:
Sisi; reminds me of purple habiscus.

And a loud applause broke out, followed by the
Biafran Anthem.
******
abeg you for sing am na, my hear am. Durung that time them never born us.

Welcome back dee; I know you will surely deliver. Btw first to read and comment; it shows good sign.

And who told you sey I know the anthem? Dem never born me too, but I know there was an anthem then. Only Ojukwu can sing it for us.

--*--
Mark seemed to have lost his appetite the moment he heard the announcement made by the Commander of the Eastern region millitary barrack, Ben Maurice.

"Won't you finish up your food?" Grace asked her husband with a shaky voice.

The fear of war they say is the beginning of wisdom.

"Sisi, take the plate to the kitchen. I have lost my appetite." Mark said to the house maid who quickly came around, picked the filled plate and scurried into the kitchen.

"Don't tell me you lost your appetite because of the announcement you heard." Grace said trying to be strong.

"Woman, keep your questions. I hve no time for them..." He was saying when the landphone which stood on the shelf on which the television stood rang.

Mark hurriedly walked towards the phone and picked the call.

"Mark Anthony on the line." He said immediately he answered the call.

"Yes sir. I just finished listening to the morning broadcast." Mark replied.
He listened for a few seconds before speaking to whoever was at the other end of the line.

"Am on my way." Mark said and dropped the phone.

"What's going on?" Grace who by now was standing behind him asked.

"I need to be in the office now."

"Is it because of this announcement?" Grace asked with a surprised look on her face.

"If the Igbos want out of Nigeria, then so be it. Let them stay on their own, afterall, several countries of the world got divided too." Grace said.

"Its like, you don't understand." Mark said angrily and walked out of the living room. A minute later, he returned with his suitcase and car key.

Just then, sounds of gunshot were heard. Cries of babies rentend the air, sounds of men groaning in agony filled the air and the women were not left out too. Fear gripped Grace, even though she had no idea of what was going on in the other parts of the barracks, but from what she was hearing, she knew it has to be something bad.

Mark rushed towards the window, pushed aside the blind and looked towards the other houses. What he saw sent cold shivers down his spine. Men, women and children were being killed, the gentle ones were being shot, the stubborn ones were being slaughtered, and the notorious ones being set ablaze. From what he was seeing, the soldiers perpetrating these evil acts are Igbos while the families being killed were either Yoruba or the Hausas. His guesses were right after all when he saw his friend, Captain Bala being slaughtered and his wife Clara was spared.

Then, he knew what the whole scenario was all about.

He knew his family would be one of those to suffer because he was yoruba and same goes with his wife.

"Switch off the lights." He commanded his wife who quickly puts out the lamps, and the room was thrown into darkness.

"Once, I drive out now, I want you to go and hide, with Sisi and my children in the bathrrom. I will lock the door from outside." Mark began.

"Why?" Grace asked heading towards the window too, but Mark grabbed her hand.

"Do as I say. There is going to be war, just lay low and make no sound." He said and made for the door.

"Daddy, I want to join you." His son, Junior said."

Mark stopped at the door, then turned to face his to children, Junior, the first son, four years old and Eniola, the second daughter, two years old.

"Just pray for daddy. You'll join me one day." And with this, Mark slipped out of the house.

He wasn't surprised when he was allowed to drive past the roadblocks mounted by the Igbo soldiers, with everyone of them saluting him. Maybe they had another reason for killing his neighbours, but first, he had to be in office before any other thing.

--CHAPTER 1 COMES UP SHORTLY.

PROLOGUE
--December 1985

The only sound that could be heard inside Captain Mark Anthony's house was the clattering sound of pots and that of other kitchen equipments.

Captain Mark Anthony, the interim commander of 82 division army barrack. Mrs Grace Mark Anthony, a thirty year old wife of Mark Anthony was the creator of those sounds as result of her cooking in the kitchen.

"Sisi." Grace, Mark Anthony's wife called.

A minute later, a seventeen year old girl came rushing into kitchen.

"Yes madam." Sisi said going on her knees as a sign of respect.

"Where are my children?" Grace asked.

"They are in the bathroom." Sisi replied.

"Good. Get dressed for them as fast as you can. Daddy would be dropping them off in school today and you know daddy hates sluggishness. So for your own good, don't waste time." In a flash, Sisi was out of the kitchen while Grace continued with her cooking.

"Good morning wifey." Mark Anthony dressed in his uniform greeted his wife as he entered the kitchen.

"Morning." Grace replied without looking at him.

"What's cooking?" He asked settling down on a stool beside the cabinet on which the stoves and other equipments stood.

"Why not wait until the food is served? Then you'll know what's inside this pot. And I want you out of my office, afterall you yourself claimed you have no business in the kitchen." Grace replied.

"Two offences comitted by Mrs Grace Mark Anthony. First, you kept a whole me in suspense and now you want me out of the kitchen, a bloody civillian like you." He replied and they both burst into laughter.

"What's this?" Grace asked bringing to an end the frenzy.

"What?" Her husband asked.

"You are bleeding." She informed, fear written all over her face.

"It will stop. I cut myself when I was shaving." He replied inching towards the pot which stood on the stove.

"Your uniform is soiled. Go and change it." Grace said as she shielded the pot away from his reach and playfully shoved him out of the kitchen.

Despite the happiness that runs in the family, there is still a bit of downs in the family. Grace as the wife is always afraid to look her husband in eyes, while Mark, a soldier who as a result of the training he had undergone have regard for nobody. He sees himself as the boss anywhere he finds himself, but after his rushed marriage with Grace six years ago, he made up his mind to at least respect his wife and his in-laws. Despite the fact that he tried, he still end up underdoing it because its not just in him to treat a woman like a treasure. He sees her like a fellow officer in the force, he spends less time at home, the majority of his days are spent in the office, at drinking joints and sometimes in hotels. He had no time for his family even though his sundays are set aside for his children. He had no idea of who is wife is, what she like, the things she dislikes, her strong point, her weak point. He knew nothing about her.

Fifteen minutes later
As it was the usual tradition in the family, everyone must be present during breakfast including Sisi, the maid. Except for the days when Mark spends the night in office or the days he had to leave hone before 6am, every other day, everybody eats together.

"Oh my God! Sisi, pass me the radio." Mark said to the maid who almost fainted at hearing her boss call her name.

She fearfully picked up the radio from the centre of the dinning table and passed it to him. Everyone knew what he wanted to do, the time is 6:30am and its time to listen to the AM new which Mark never missed. He carefully tuned the radio and got the station his was looking for.

"Major-General, Ben Maurice speaking to the press." The newscaster said and the next second, another person was speaking, probably, Ben Maurice.

"Its time to claim what is ours. Its time to stand on our own as a soveriegn Nation. Its time for Nigeria to break into two. While Nigeria retains her name, we from the east refuses to be indentified with other Nigerians. My people, I present to you, the independent Nation of the Igbos. The East Nigeria Republic." Major Ben Maurice began.

Mark exchanged looks with his son as if the four year old boy understood a thing that was being said.

"There will be resistance, the Nigerian government will call for war which we are ready for. We are tired of being exploited. The oil is ours, it generates income for you people. We have been skimmed out, nobody from the east is in the millitary council, we say no to cheating. East Nigeria is here to stay, Nigeria can go an die." And a loud applause broke out, followed by the East Nigeria Anthem.

******

Copyright ©2015 by DURODOLA OLAWALE(D9ty7).
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied in part or in whole or be
reproduced in another format without a prior written approval from the author or the
admin of http://www.nairaland.com .
You can contact the author via the following medias;
E-mail: durodolad9ty7@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +2348166920449
Phone: +2348166920449 or +2348182021429
BBM: 560df375

____________________________________________

This story was originally written by Durodola Olawale(d9ty7) in 2014 and has been
posted on several online platforms. The e-book production is currently in progress.
This is a work of fiction, Names, characters, places(real) and incidents are products of
the author’s imagination or are used fictitously and are not to be construed as real. Any
resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead is
entirely coincidental.

Jesusbaby93:
pls can any1 tell me d reason y all dis post are nt hidden frm d beginning and nw hidden in d most interesting part.

The posts were hidden because, the fear of plagiarists is the begining of wisdom. I can't allow a random blogger to make money with my story, therefore, I had to delete them. And moreso, no publisher will accept a story that has ran on so many social media networks and forums.
Drop your mail and I'll send you the link to where you can read the deleted parts. I believe you stopped at CHAPTER 12 right?

Thronekid, like seriously? A thread created in my name? Wow! I am short of words right now.
I really appreciate it, but I disagree with some of the things you said there. 'simply the best' 'wise like king Solomon' are you kidding me?
I didn't make you who you are today. God did. I only pointed out a few mistake of yours and a genius that you are, you were able to make the corrections. So, its not really about me, but God and your talent.
All in all I appreciate this whole thing. Even Tattesco commented, Lilyomi too, Prettydiva89.
Trypa: I actually was banned.
We are definitely going places. And you know what? See you later at the top.

__________________________________________
After a night which was devoid of sleep, Serena got out of bed, some minutes before 7am. She could remember how she had poured out her heart to her father, the previous afternoon and with tears in her eyes, she had ran into her room, fastened the lock and remained indoor until dawn. She heard her brother knocking on her door for a considerable amount of time the previous night, but she wanted to be alone, therefore she made no attempt to open the door. Her aim for locking the door was to cry herself to sleep and probably not wake up until after three days, but she found it difficult to sleep. This made the night a very boring one, her phone and laptop could have proven to be very good companions, but the laptop is still in the living room while her phone had ran out of power and the charger is in her laptop bag, therefore, she couldn't engage herself in anything that could make her forget her sorrows. She tried reading a couple of her novels, but who reads a novel when they are sad? She just couldn't bring herself to poring over pages of a book. The last option that was left with her was to think about happy times, the days her joy knew no bounds, the happiest days in her life, but unfortunately, the last few months of her life has made her forget the happy times she once enjoyed with her family. She couldn't remember the last time, Nate said a joke at the dining and their parents laughed so hard.
She changed from her nightgown to a knee length jean short and a black top. She checked the mirror to see a different Serena staring back at her. Her eyes were swollen and she could barely recognise herself. Her blue sexy cat eyes had turned red and the sight of it spoke fire.
She didn't know if she had offended her father with her outburst the previous night, but she was sure that her father would take offence for it. Her father probably might not be angry with the words she said, afterall, they are true, but the fact that she raised her voice and was screaming was the only thing that could anger her father who had always said that he won't condone any act of indiscipline from his children and any of them who raises their voice at him should be ready to face the consequences.
Maybe she would just have to show up for breakfast and probably use the opportunity to apologise to her father. She walked towards the door, unlocked it and walked out with a fast beating heart.
--------
"Good morning daddy." She greeted going down on her knees, such that they were touching the ground.
"Good morning Serena." Davies replied.
"How was your night bro?" She asked trying to shake off the fact that her father ignored her.
"It was not bad and yours?"
"Good." Serena replied, after which she began dishing the food into everyone's plate.
"Dad, do you want the beef or the chicken?" She asked her father who just sat like a zombie. Only God knows what was running through his mind that moment, but it is not rocket science to know that he was going through an emotional turmoil. He must be having problem with his ego and emotion.
"Dad, beef or the chicken?" She asked once again.
"Give him beef." Davies whispered and she obliged before taking her sit.
"Our heavenly father, the king of glory, we thank you for bringing us to live this morning as a family where love dwells and in your infinite mercy made it possible for us to gather at this table to perform our second family rite of the day..." Serena started praying.
"I have to go." Mr Thomas stood up and walked out of the dining room, his food untouched.
Serena turned to face Davies who was adjusting his shirt. He would definitely be walking out any moment from now, his food untouched too. Sometimes, she was left wondering why her father would as a result of his rash decisions make Davies suffer. Until, they had the opportunity to eat at a restaurant, Dave would continue to starve.
"I'll talk to him. Just be good and please don't go out today." Dave said and kissed her cheek before walking away.
Maybe the lost love was returning afterall. If Dave could kiss her, then they can refer to themselves as siblings. And most importantly, Nate could make up with their father and as well as Dave, then their living together would improve. And the big one is their father accepting their mother so they can have a feeling of what it feels to be a happy family one more time.
"Have a nice day dad." It was worth it. Even if he didn't reply, he still looked at her briefly and nodded his head. She could see a smile trying to form accross his face, but he did a good job at hiding it.

END OF CHAPTER 6

Galaxdiva:
Hi D9ty7,am stil waiting....

Like seriously?