₦airaland Forum

On a certain Sunday, I had taken a taxi cab to our street at Abakpa just to catch a glimpse of Junior. I went to the incomplete building adjacent to our House and sat patiently watching the gate to the House.

I waited for about two hours before I saw him pushing a wheel barrow with water filled Jerri cans down the street. He was unclad, wearing just short Pants, battered Slippers and sweating profusely. I waited for him to reach the front of the incomplete building before I called out to him. Junior! I called out.

He stopped and looked at me searchingly. Chinedu how you dey? I asked. You don forget me? I asked again as he strolled towards me wiping off sweat from his forehead.

Your face be like face wey I sabi o! but I dey try to remember the place wey I sabi you , he said.
Na me you give Bread and Akara chop for here that night, I said.

Yes o! He exclaimed. Na you give me ten naira to take replace Nonso money that day! Thank you Aunty! But na wetin you dey do here again nah? You wan sleep? You don chop today so? He asked with concern.

Na you I wan come see nah ! I said. I want to come see the face of the Hero wey save me from hunger that night.
He laughed and said Aunty I no know why you allow hunger to worry you that day o! Because you been get plenty money for Pocket.
Well you no understand, I said. So na where you dey carry Water go nah?

Na sell I dey sell am o! He said. My People don go village for holiday and dem no carry me go. Small food stuff dey for house but no soup, and dem no give me any money to take cook soup. Na so so Garri I dey drink since so I dey go hire this Wheel barrow to take sell water so that I go dey get money to buy anything wey I want chop until dem return.

I was about to speak when I remembered once again my dream. I relaxed and comported myself.
So how much you dey sell one Jerri can? I asked.

Aunty na Fifty naira! You wan buy Water? Na where your house dey sef? He asked.

No! No o! I no wan buy water, I just dey ask, I dey live for inside Barracks I said.

Your Papa na Soja? He asked.

No junior! My Papa no be Soja but my Mama been dey teach for Army day so Army give us House for barracks, I explained.
As your Papa no be Soja, he dey follow una live inside barracks too? He asked.

I could not hold back my tears crying as I answered him.

No! Junior, My Papa don die tey tey!

Aunty sorry o! Na my question dey make you cry? No vex I beg! He said.

As he approached me to rub my shoulder, I grabbed him tight and cried over his shoulder like I never did in my life. He was shocked and scared by my action as I felt him stiffen, but I guess he had seen worse fears in his life that he stood resolute and offered to comfort me. He embraced me lightly but assuring. Sorry! He kept saying as he patted me on my back. I thanked him and gave him a five hundred naira note before he left to continue his business.

The next Saturday was the last in November 1998. We went to the Orphanage to visit Tochi and Amara. They were looking healthy and were fast becoming beautiful ladies. They were both in J.S.S 3 and preparing for their junior W.A.E.C. The Proprieties of the home told us the Girls are good in character and all round learning, she was proud of them. she further reminded us that the home can only accommodate them till they round up their secondary School at which point we should be looking for an alternative home for them, she further encouraged us to be serious with whatever we are doing so that we would be able to carter for our sisters when the time comes instead of looking for another home for them as adults. We delivered the food stuff we went with to the proprietress. A bag of rice, a bag of salt, one gallon each of palm and vegetable oil and a bag of salt.


1998 ended so fast, I was so busy at work because the demand for our services was at the peak. We organized several weeding Ceremonies as wedding planners. I had improved in cutting fabrics into measured shapes to be sewn into dresses. I was good at patching up torn or loose fabrics. At that stage I could sew simple materials like pillow cases, bed sheets and wrappers. But I was a very fast learner, I had learnt how to operate all the machines in the Shop, I could iron sewn Clothes and package them for collection by the owners.

At my spare time in the house I used my machine to sew several styles I saw in fashion magazines. I got fabrics from pieces of sewn Clothes in the Shop. I was very creative and I invented a lot of designs. I improved on my drawing skills due to constant practice. Madam Ronke once told me that if ever I decide to set up my own Fashion Business I should go far from New Haven so that I would not lure all of her Clients to myself. She said I had prospect on the trade and she offered me a lot of moral encouragement all the way.

Through the Month of December, I did not come home; I slept in the Shop working through the night just to meet Customers demand. I cut Fabrics into shapes throughout the night while my senior Colleagues came in the morning to stitch the pieces together, then I would iron the sewn Clothes all day and batch for Customers collection.

I also did not sell at my spot in the barracks because I was too busy at work but I received a lot of tips in the Shop from Customers and senior Colleagues. The credit for our efficiency was always given to me by Madam Ronke, She mandated all my senior Colleagues to share their tips with me because most Customers do not see me Cutting their fabrics into shapes at night, they also saw me ironing Clothes by day time, so they naturally give tips to those that they see sewing the Clothes. The work at the Shop that season was so intense that by the end of January, I had saved seventy five thousand naira from tips alone. I opened another fixed deposit account with this money at First bank of Nigeria.

I fell sick in the second week of February 1999 and was admitted for four days. I was down with malaria fever having exposed myself to mosquito bite in the Shop I slept all through the rush period. Madam Ronke took care of my hospital bills and apologized to me for being the cause of my sickness.

By March we witnessed another rush period as a result of Easter celebration. Many weddings were planned for that period and so many Clothes to sew too. By this time I had started sewing clothes for certain categories of Customers, the high profile Customer’s Clothes were sewn by Madam herself or more senior Colleagues.
I purchased five different fabrics and sew different styles for myself. My clothes were the cynosure of all eyes whenever I wore them; my designs were perfect on my body.

By August, just two months to my graduation had perfected on all I came to learn at “Delectable”. I could single handedly plan and organize an event from scratch to finish, I could design and bake cakes for any occasion, I was a qualified caterer! And I could sew; yes I actually prided myself more as a fashion designer , I had started getting Jobs from People living in the barracks and environs but I brought such jobs to the Shop to sew and madam Ronke always gave me fifty percent of whatever I charged the Client. I wanted to explore more in the fashion world because I had seen that the demand for fashion can never be met in this world, what you just need was to be the best and you would see Customers chasing you about. I wanted the world to see my creativity! I wanted to be chased about, for that would mean Money chasing me about! I was hungry for success!

Nigerian Independence Day 1999 was my graduation day. We were twenty graduates from ‘Delectable” each majored in various field of interest. Some of us spent from six months to two years. I majored in Fashion designing and catering. Do I need to tell you that I was the overall best Student? Well I was!

It was a very colourful event as Families and Friends came to celebrate with the Celebrants.
Mr. and Mrs. Chinedu were there, my three elder Sisters, even Amara and Tochi were excused from the Orphanage to attend my graduation ceremony. Cordellia and Stephen also honoured me with their presence. Caroline and Pauline also invited their Soldier Boyfriends, Lawal and Ibrahim.
Many of our Clients came to felicitate with us that day and I received so many gifts in Cash and properties. Cordellia and Stephen gave me an embroidery machine and two 1.5 horse power split unit air conditioner. Mr. and Mrs. Chinedu gave me Thirty thousand naira cash and a sewing machine. Madam Ronke gave me Fifty thousand naira and a sewing machine, she was crying as she presented her gifts to me. Many of the invited guests and out Clients gave me varying sums of money. It was indeed my day. The first time I was actually celebrated in my without Daddy and Mummy. I wished they were there that day and I wished Chinedu was there too. I got a total of eight hundred and fifty thousand naira cash from that occasion. I also realized three sewing Machines, four electric irons, two air conditioning units, one embroidery machine, one Button hole boring machine, two standing fans, twenty two Scissors etc. I did not realize that I was already a millionaire at nineteen, me, a drop out from School, an Orphan denied of a bright future by fate. Mr. Chinedu carried all of my Gifts to his House for safe keeping until I would need them. There was no space in our batcher.

One week after my graduation, Madam Ronke called me to her office and offered me a job at “Delectable” She said I would earn twenty five percent of any dress I sew or any event I manage. We were approaching another rush season of 1999. I agreed to her terms but I told her I could not work with her for long because I was restless! I told her I have a lot to do in my life and until I achieve them all my soul will remain restless.
She did not show any sign of surprise or feeling of being hurt as I had expected. She simply smiled and said she knows, she said she cannot tie me down but only needed my assistance during the season rush. We signed a contract for six months which would expire after the Easter Rush of April 2000.

I put my all into my job throughout the festive period, dishing out uncommon designs and making our Clients happy. Customers did not tell me the design or style they wanted to sew except on rare cases where uniform design is sought for an occasion. I simply looked at the Customer, take his or her measurement and I carve out an irresistible design that brings smiles to the face of the Client when completed. The compliments I received were one too many but I was not satisfied. Something was still missing.

As usual, I slept in the shop in the month of December but this time around I normally sprayed insecticides in the Shop by 6:00PM when everyone has left till 10:00PM before I began to work. I cut Fabrics into shapes all night and I sewed all day while another apprentice did the ironing. The business of designing dresses gave me joy.

Work pressure reduced in February due to decline in demand as Families tried to recover from December cum January celebration expenses and the quest to pay Children School fees. I used this period to develop several designs, the creative ideas came in naturally and in torrents and I was drawing the designs up as the idea came. I no longer sold maize at night because I was occupied and partly because I was making enough money. I told Silvia to continue with the business so that someone else would not take over the spot but she declined.

By the end of Easter which was also the expiration of my Contract with “Delectable” I had over two hundred samples of various unique designs in my Notebook, I called it my Catalogue. I also had about one million eight hundred thousand naira in my Bank account. That was the Month of May 2000, three months to my birthday! I was born on the 18th of August 1980. I will be twenty years old and I had plans for that day.


CHAPTER 5
Money and true colours!
June 13th 2000 it had been four years that my Mother passed on. MR. Chinedu drove by on that beautiful morning and picked Caroline, he said she was needed to sign certain documents. They were out all day till 7:00PM. They came in looking happy with smiles all over. I knew immediately that it must be about Mummy’s Money.

Mr. Chinedu in his character had summoned us for discussion when Lawal and Ibrahim pushed the door and sauntered into our Batcher. Caroline jumped up excitedly and ran to hug Lawal.

They have paid us! They have paid us our Mother’s gratuity! She told him.

Wao! Allah be praised! He shouted, lifting Caroline off her feet and spinning her around.

To say I was surprised is an understatement! I felt like picking up a knife and do something terrible but I controlled my anger. I looked as Mr. Chinedu as he stared with opened mouth at Caroline; he was shaking his head disapprovingly. He then cleared his throat to receive attention. Caroline left Lawal and returned to her former siting position.

Gentlemen, could you please excuse us for a moment? He said. We have some family issues to discuss! Please just ten minutes will be okay.
Family issues? Lawal asked,

Yes please! Said Mr. Chinedu

Me I no be Family? He asked. So because Money don come now I no be family again? Ehn Carol? Are you hearing what this Barger is saying? So you can sit down there and watch this bloody Civilian talk to me anyhow?

I am sorry please; I don’t mean it that way! Mr. Chinedu tried to explain.

Sharrap! Before I scatter your smelly mouth! Lawal shouted as he advanced dangerously towards Mr. Chinedu. We all screamed as Caroline and Ibrahim rushed towards him begging and restraining him from hitting Mr. Chinedu

You wey dey talk you be family? Or you think say I no know you? Walahi! That one no go happen here o! You sabi the kind of money wey I don spend on Carol? Which one is your own? Lawal continued to shout at the top of his voice, Ibrahim held on to Lawal and told him to excuse us but Lawal was too agitated already.

Imagine o! He challenged, see this bloody civilian telling me nonsense inside my Barracks! Walahi! If I no scatter your mouth today, call me bastard!
In all of these, Caroline was begging Lawal .I was boiling inside of me but I knew better than to challenge Lawal there and then. I have seen him in such fit too many times fighting fellow Soldiers of beating up defenseless Civilians for no just cause. I had always wondered what my Sister saw in such a Man. He was a private Soldier and his friend Ibrahim a Lance Corporal.

He eventually left the house swearing to wait for Mr. Chinedu on his way out of the barracks.
Mr. Chinedu did not stay long; he raised both hands up and said to us all.

Today I wash my hands off your case! God is my witness that all my dealings with you Children have been transparent! Your Mother’s Three million five hundred naira and fifty thousand naira has been paid into Caroline’s account today! The money is yours to use and make something out of this life for your selves!
I threw myself prostrate before him and begged him not to be offended, Pauline and Silvia joined me but Caroline simply stood by the door staring at us.

CHAPTER 3
Fifty thousand naira apart
It was on a Saturday that Mr. and Mrs. Chinedu gave us the sum of fifty thousand naira each. It was like a miracle to us because we have not owned such amount of money before. We were so happy that we temporarily forgot our situation/ Caroline went out in the evening and bought Suya which we all ate and drank Coke too. We talked into the night and slept late.

That night I dreamt: My late Father came to me, he apologized for leaving us so soon, he told me he did not plan to leave us yet but life is a mystery which I will understand soon. He said there were a lot of things he did not achieve before his death. He told me to take care of my Sisters, he said I should let junior suffer whatever is being meted to him by my uncle, he said it is good for Junior. I asked him if he had seen Caroline, he said no! Caroline is a Woman and would not understand certain things! I asked after my Mother and He told me she was okay and sends her greeting. He charged me to be strong, he said to me: Remember you are a Commando! And he faded into the air.

I had cried out from my sleep calling on him not to go as I had a lot of questions to ask him. It was this morning that I cried my heart out over the death of my Father, I cried till I became tired, my sisters woke up and were consoling me. I know they would be wondering if I was okay, crying as if daddy just died. I did not tell anybody my dream till now that I am writing this story. I did not want what happened to Joseph in the Bible to happen to me. I felt it might make my elder ones feel bad and jealous. I brooded all through that day and I did not go to Church. I was at home cleaning up the house and I washed everything that needed washing. I also cooked Jollof Rice for the house before my sisters returned from church.

I took a pen and a jotter and wrote down how I intend to utilize my fifty thousand naira. Daddy had reminded me that I was a commando! My thoughts wondered back to my days at Command Secondary school Abakaliki, we called ourselves Commandoes, I had spent only two year there but I came out with indelible experience. Student life at Command was all about competition amongst us. From the wakeup call at 5:30AM to Lights out bell at 10:30PM it was all about trying to be the best. You strive to be among the first to file out in the morning to sweep the compound, you try to tidy up your room by cleaning the Louvers, sweeping the floor and cleaning the toilet. You try to take your bath on time and dress your bed before leaving the hostel for the School premises. In all of this you must not be late as lateness was like taboo. You must not come late to the assembly ground, classes, meal time, prep time, sports time and manual labour time, lateness to all of these chores had consequences. There were also several rewarding schemes, the best dressed Bed, the cleanest room, the neatest Student, overall best Student, and best Student per Subject are recognized and rewarded. I had worn several of these awards back then. We always strived to outwit one another.
So with fifty thousand naira in my Pocket in the year 1997 I felt like the world was in my Pocket. I said a special prayer to God for Mr. and Mrs. Chinedu. After doting all the I’s and crossing all the T’s I fell asleep. My sisters came back from Church and were surprised at the transformation they saw in the house; though I was sleeping I could feel their presence. They did not wake me knowing I would evidently be exhausted.
Monday morning, after a breakfast of Pap and Akara, Caroline summoned us together to discuss the way forward. She suggested that we put our money together and setup a petty trading business on basic provisions; we could build a kiosk at the front of our Batcher until we raise something substantial to rent a Shop at the Mammy market.

I was the only one that declined on that idea, and such opposition coming from me, the youngest of the four did not go down well with my Sisters. I reminded them of the Story of the ten talents Mr. Chinedu told us; I told them that the Slaves did not join the money given to them together rather each went to invest his own. I told them I had my own plans. I further reminded them that if Mr. Chinedu wanted us to combine the Money, he would have given the whole two hundred thousand naira to Caroline to control.

They called me the Prodigal Child, Silvia even had to deal me a slap for daring to challenge Caroline but I took it in good faith. It was finally declared that I was on my own as regards feeding, clothing, cosmetics and so on. Pauline and Silvia gave their Money to Caroline, while I kept mine.


CHAPTER 4
Man alone!
Two days after the fall out with my Sisters, I left the house in the morning without break fast as I was no longer entitled to partake in the family meal. I was with my Money, my Jotter and Pen as I trekked from the Barracks towards Abakpa Nike. I had nothing on my mind but to keep on walking.

I had trekked for two hours before I realized I was on our Street in the Housing estate where we once lived. The Street where Junior is slaving in his father’s house. My heart beat increased and my stomach rumbled. I urgently needed to use the toilet but I was far from home. My Father’s House was just around the corner but I dare not go there for fear of the unknown. I entered an incomplete building along the street and relieved myself using a sheet from my Jotter to clean up. I came out and sat at the front of the incomplete building. I was staring at our House. I started feeling feverish as my heart beat continued to race, so many conflicting thoughts were on my mind. I used a torn Carton I saw on the ground to clean a portion of the floor and I laid down shivering. I slept off.

I woke up with a jolt. Everywhere looked dark and I felt so hungry, I yawned and stretched, then I heard a male voice said, you go chop? I panicked and turned around to see the figure squatted behind me eating Bread and Akara, the aroma from the Akara was so irresistible that I answered him yes I beg! I dey hungry, he tore his loaf of Bread in two and gave me half; he pushed the wrapped Akara to my reach. I gnawed hungrily at the loaf of bread and picked from the balls of Akara in quick succession.

My strange Friend tossed a sachet of Water to me as he continued to eat in silence. I ate up the bread and five balls of Akara before drinking the whole Sachet of water before realizing the risk I had just taken. Eating from a total stranger! My stomach rumbled again and I screamed out in pain clutching my tummy.

Which time you chop last? He asked me as I writhed in pain,

na yesterday night I replied.

That na why your belle dey pain you, sorry o! no worry the pain go soon stop now as you don chop, next time if you dey hungry like this, make you first drink water before you eat you hear?

I nodded my head as I endured another pang of pain. Me I don sabi how to manage hunger tey tey! He said.
I got a little relief from his speech and I actually started feeling better. I was thinking I had been poisoned. I asked my acquaintance what the time was and he said 6:30 PM. I had slept there for almost nine hours; passersby would have taken me for a Lunatic or a vagabond.
So na wetin you de do here? You no look like craze Man nah! I said.


I no be man o! I be Boy he said, I be ten years old Boy o!

I drew closer to take a better look at his face and I almost screamed but I remembered my Father’s advice in my dream so I quickly used my palm to close my mouth so as not to scream out.

Na wetin you dey do here! I blurted.

I never chop anything since morning, so I thief my senior Brother Money go buy wetin I go chop! He replied.
I no understand you o! I queried, You no dey chop for house or wetin you mean?

I dey chop one time a day but before I finish work wey I dey do since morning, my Brothers dem don chop the food wey their mama keep for me, that na why I go search Nonso pocket, the ten naira wey I see there, I carry go buy Bread and Akara.
He no go beat you if he no see him Money so? I asked.

He go beat me nah! But he no go kill me! Beating no be anything to me again o! Everybody dey beat me any how for that House.
Dem dey beat you anyhow for your Papa house? Which kain talk you dey talk so nah? I enquired.

Aunty, you no go understand, make I dey waka before dem begin to look for me. My prayer be say make Nonso no notice say him Money dey miss this night at least make I for fit sleep without crying today. As he stood up to go I told him to wait.
Wetin be your name? I asked.

My name na Chinedu but dem dey call me junior, he replied.

Na wetin be your Papa name?

My full name na Chinedu Junior Amadi.

You dey go school so? I asked.

Yes I dey Abakpa Community Primary School, I dey class two.

Class two? I shouted. You be ten years and you dey class two? Why nah? I asked.

Yes nah! He said. I been stop school when my real Papa die and my Mama Abandon me with my Uncle when She carry all my sisters run away. Na last year my Uncle come say make I go start again from primary two. Bye-bye! Make I dey run go now I beg!

Wait! Come take! I said as dipped my hands into my Pocket and brought the bundle of cash with me, I peeled out several notes and gave to him.
No o! He exclaimed. You want to kill me? I beg Aunty if you want to help me, just give me the ten naira wey I thief make I go return am. If dem see me with this kain money my own don finish for that House o!

I quickly searched my other Pocket and gave him an old ten naira note. I could not hold back the tears. I cried as Junior bade me farewell and sped off towards my father’s House, our House.

I started off towards the Barracks because the entrance gate via the mammy market would be locked by 8:00PM. I ran towards the Barracks heartbroken, I fell down severally as I ran because the ground was stony and steeply. I got home that night and wept through the night. I did not tell my Sisters what I encountered but they were looking at me with mixed feelings. They wondered where I had gone all day and why I came back home crying. I saw some Cartons of biscuits, toiletries, and provisions that my Sisters have bought for their business. They were busy reconciling their account when I dozed off.
I woke up the next day feeling very sick, I vomited twice. Caroline took me to visit Oga Chucks the Chemist at Mammy Market. He gave me two injections and administered some drugs to me. I went back home and slept all day. I was down for three days during which Caroline was there for me.

Two weeks after my recovery I went to a vocational institution at New Haven to register as an apprentice. I paid the twelve thousand naira and two Crates of Coca Cola charged for two years training. The outfit called “Delectable’s” offered training on Fashion, Catering and events management. The duration of training ranged from six months to two years depending on the area an apprentice wishes to specialize. I applied for two years so as to specialize on everything they had to offer. I bought some working tools like Scissors, measuring tape, Papers etc. I also bought a brand new sewing machine which I kept at home awaiting my graduation.

I resumed at work at 7:30AM daily cleaning up the Shop and putting everything in place before others arrived. I was handed a spare key because I was always the first to arrive at work daily.
In the evenings I sold roasted maize cum pear along the Mammy market road in the Barracks. Sometimes I sell roasted plantain cum fish depending on what was available in the market. I was occupied day and night.

I was at the Shop one day when two elegantly dressed Ladies came in to sew some dresses. My Boss madam Ronke attended to them and afterwards called on me to take their measurements. As I approached with my measuring tape and register I was stopped mid way by the scream from one of the ladies. It’s a lie! She shouted. Deborah Adanne Amadi! The last time my name was so called was at Command secondary School Abakaliki. I looked keenly at the epitome of beauty, it was Cordellia. It is me Cordellia! She said spreading her arms astride. Cordellia Okoro? I asked. Yes nah! She beamed. Derby! Look at you! What happened to you? Where have you been hiding all these years? So many questions to be answered as we hugged each other to the astonishment of everyone in the Shop.

I took their measurements and they waited at the reception till my break period, which was between 1:00PM to 2:30PM daily. She drove me in her brand new Polo Gulf to her House off campus along Ogui Road. She was then a part two medical student at University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. The same Course I had planned to study since my Child hood if fate had not turned things around for my Family. I told Cordellia my Story so far. She was so touched that she could not help crying. We cried together. I then begged her not to show pity as it would make me run away from her, she understood. Of course she was a commando. All commandoes are proud.

Cordellia gave me a “Ghana must go” bag full of her used Clothes; she said she had wanted to take the Clothes with her to the village to share among her relatives and friends during her next holiday. She gave me seven assorted shoes, hats and belts. She gave me some of her old make up kits and two brand new ones. She then drove us to DEN’s Cook by Old Park for lunch. I ate a very delicious meal that day.
Cordellia took me back to the shop. On our way she told me about her Fiancé studying and working in the U.S.A. She sounded surprised when I told her I have not had any dealing with a man yet at eighteen. She insisted to meet my Sisters and to know where we lived so we agreed to go home together when I close at 6:00PM.

Cordellia came back and drove me home that evening. As I went to her Car booth to carry my “Ghana must go”, she ordered me to ensure I empty the content of the Booth, that everything therein was for me. She had loaded the Booth with a bag of rice, Gallons of palm oil and vegetable oil, half bag of beans to mention but a few. I was perplexed and I told her I could not accept all of it as it was too much and she was making me feel like I am a burden on her already. She laughed loud and told me to swallow my pride. She said she owed me more that, she reminded me of how I was there for her in our secondary school days. She entered Command on Scholarship sponsored by the Catholic Church in her Village. Her father was a poor subsistence farmer from Isikuator in Abia State but she was a very brilliant kid and had passed the entrance examination into a school relatively expensive for Civilian wards. The reverend father of their Church took up her case and the Church volunteered to take care of her School fees throughout her Secondary School. She barely came to school with enough pocket money or Provision, no one ever came to visit her on visiting days and she never went home for midterm break. I always had abundance and enough to spare and I was so generous so I shared freely with her without telling anybody about it, she recounted several situations that I assisted her financially and materially. Finally she said I was only reaping what I had sowed.

She met my sisters and we spent two hours together in our Batcher that night reflecting on the past. She updated me on the where about of many of our mates in school, most were in various higher institutions within and outside the Country, three had died and some were still jambites.
She had cleared her S.S.C.E and J.A.M.B at one swipe and gained admission into one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria. She was at the verge of losing hope of sponsorship when fortune smiled on her. She had met Stephen during the Christmas holiday in the Village. Stephen Chikendu is the First Son of His Royal Highness, Igwe Amos Chikendu, the Onwa n’etili ora 1 of Isuikwuator. The paramount ruler. He had come home on vacation. They had met and fallen in love and he promised to take care of her education after making his marriage intention known to their families.

Cordellia left our house at 9:00PM that night.I did not sell my maize that night because I did not want her to know how deep I had fallen.
When Cordellia had left, Silvia asked me if I would sell some portion of my food stuff to them, I told her the food stuff was for us and not me, I also told her that the bag of clothes was for us and not me. We went out that night and bought a lot of Suya and Coca cola to celebrate. We tossed to life.

On Saturday morning as I was sorting the Clothes Cordellia gave me I saw a bulky sealed envelope underneath the bag, I hurriedly ran and bolted the door before coming to tear the envelope open. My heart beat skipped at the sight of wad of minty five hundred naira notes. I counted one hundred pieces, another fifty thousand naira! I knelt down and said a prayer to God for Cordellia. That was the money I used to open my first ever bank account with Union bank. I opened a fixed deposit account so that by the time I am done with my training, the money would come in handy. My friendship with Cordellia blossomed till she travelled to the U.S.A for summer holiday.

not changed it because he has had no Son until Chinedu came and I guess He was procrastinating on changing it before death came calling.
Uncle Amaechi is six years younger than my Father and his only Brother. Dad had three siblings. He trained his younger brother through School till Uncle Amaechi graduated from U.N.N (University of Nigeria), got a Job with Union bank and married; He is blessed with Four Children, all male. We grew up loving Uncle Amaechi as a member of our family because he virtually lived with us while he was at School. He was around us and he watched us grow into teenagers. His first Son is the same age with our third born.

At the funeral scene of our father, Uncle Amaechi took center stage as every good Brother would do. My mother was ridiculed by the Women of the family, she was tagged a Witch and a murderer of their illustrious Son. Insults were hurled at my Mum for bearing six Girls; they even doubted the paternity of my Brother Chinedu. Only Chinedu was allowed to pour a handful of sand into my Father’s grave during the burial. My Mother and her Girls were “persona non grata”. I have never seen my Mother cry so hard! None came to console her, not even my Uncle. She was told to her face that she is a Stranger and should go back to where she came from with her league of Prostitutes. Some of our family friends that attended the burial were warned not to intervene as they could incur the wrath of the villagers. My eldest sister Caroline became a Mother figure to us and protected us from assaults from hostile relations during the burial session because my Mother lost her sanity at the scene and was behaving like a deranged woman begging everybody to have pity on her and let her bury her husband, she told them that she was properly married to their son thus cannot be a Stranger, she reminded them of how she met their son as a student and how they had nurtured their relationship to fruition. She told them that she was ready to swear any oath to affirm her fidelity and innocence. I saw my once elegant Mother on her knees cladded in black robe begging no one in particular but shouting that the world would hear her plea. The reply she got was to be spat on by relatives and insulted by those who once saw her as an icon. Relatives that do come to visit us in Enugu to seek assistance, relatives who were calling my mother “Mummy” now called her by her first name “Ada” and accuse her of killing their brother. She was forced to drink the water used in washing my Father’s Corpse as this was supposed to bring instant judgment upon her if she was guilty. Mum drank two Cups without flinching and was asking for more to use and bath.

My Mother was dragged to an open space and surrounded by the family women with canes. They were floging my mother telling her to confess! I watched my Mother being humiliated in the most inhumane manner and when I looked at the faces of her persecutors I saw anger, I saw pain, I saw bitterness, and I saw determination to kill. To kill my mother! I went straight to the Kitchen and got a knife, an unusual knife with both edges sharpened, as I came out from the kitchen I heard my mother screaming, she screamed for my Daddy to come to her aid, she screamed for her late father to come to her rescue, she screamed for Jesus to come down and save her. I was jolted into action by her cries because of all she called to help her, none came.

In their quest to unleash pain on my mum, the women were upon each other trying to get a better portion of my mother’s body to whip. I was within them, stabbing my way through to reach and save my Mother, there were screams from those I stabbed but all I could hear was my Mother’s voice. Of a sudden I felt a pull backwards but I struggled to push forward stabbing viciously at a buttock in front of me, then I heard Caroline’s voice begging me to let go.
It was at this stage that Caroline took us all and sneaked out of the family Compound. We ran straight to the Motor Park and boarded a Bus heading for Enugu. Chinedu was not with us, he had been taken from us by Uncle.


Enugu:
On getting home, Caroline immediately set to work; she went into my Parent’s room and collected certain document. I watched as she hid the document in her travelling Bag. She took so many Books too and hid in her Bag, she asked for the Keys to the cars and I reminded her that all the Cars were driven to the Village for the burial. She then took me with her to visit one of Mummy’s Friends and colleague, Mrs. Joana Chinedu. She explained all that transpired in the village to Mrs. Joana and she agreed to keep the Documents for us.
Mummy’s friend tapped their military connection and a team of Soldiers were dispatched to our village.

My Mother was brought back and admitted at the Military hospital. She was given a private ward because of the influx of visitors and sympathizers. She spent two weeks at the Hospital before being transferred to a psychiatric hospital in New Haven District for treatment.
She spent two months at the Psychiatric hospital by which time she was evidently stable and ready to go home. She was discharged on a Sunday. We went after Church service in company of Mrs. Joana to bring her home from the Hospital.

We got home to see a strange Padlock on the gate. We were still deliberating on what to do when our security man, Musa limped towards us, he looked liked someone that has escaped a deadly stampede. Musa! Wetin happen? Caroline asked.

Madam! Na Oga Brother come here with plenty Boys and Motors come pack all the load wey dey for the House! Everything fa! Even my load too! Dem beat me well well as I dey try to tell them to wait until una come back. Dem even remove two of my teeth! See! See my teeth! How I go take de bite Goro (Kola nut) now?

Haa! My Mother exclaimed and she became quiet suddenly, she started to laugh hysterically jabbing at us and uttering incomprehensible words. Mummy did not recover from this madness till she died.



My mother was taken back to the Psychiatric Hospital while Mrs. Joana helped us to secure the Batcher in the Barracks as we waited for Mummy to recover. Meanwhile we were left with nothing! Nothing at all to start with, saves for Caroline that had some Money on her. Madam Joana tried her best by getting us some old clothes, a giant size mattress, cooking utensils, and some food stuff. She was there for us until her husband had to warn her to choose between her own Children and us. He told her when he came to our Batcher to pick her on his way from work. He said we were a burden too big to be carried. He was right and I bore him no grudge. We were six Girls, the oldest was eighteen and the youngest was eight years old, we were not working, we were not schooling, all we did was wake up, eat and pray that our Mummy recovers. Madam Joana has been helping us to collect mummy’s salaries but the bulk of it goes to offset her medical bills.


On the first of April 1996, it’s been three years after the death of my Father, another “April fool’s” day; we were all in our Batcher reading novels when Madam Joana and her Husband came visiting. The bags under her eyes told me something was wrong. It was the husband that addressed us.
Ladies! He said, your Mother has passed on! I do not know a better way of saying it but that is the fact. She passed on this morning in her sleep and the hospital called my Wife. Your Mother you know has no Parent any longer and she was an only Child, so I will need to go to her village tomorrow to seek any surviving relative of hers and inform them so they can make arrangements for her funeral.

Please this is not time for tears yet; there is plenty of time for that! Just hear me out he said. We wiped our tears as we continued to listen. If I do not succeed there then we may have to seek for the Army’s assistance, maybe they can bury her at the Military Cemetery.

We have made arrangements for Tochi and Amara to be taken to an Orphanage! Caroline screamed and rushed towards our two youngest Siblings, No! No! No! She shouted, I will take care of them!

Don’t be silly! He said, do you think I am enjoying what I am telling you? How will you take care of them? You can barely take care of yourself! It’s been three years that your father died and your Mother had been bed ridden for that long what have you been able to do with your life? You are twenty one years old now! When I married my wife she was barely eighteen years old! Now the mother you were waiting on is no more! Will you keep on sitting here and waiting for my wife to feed you and your siblings? Nkechi my Daughter is in her part three at the university already! Don’t you think about your own future? That is why I keep blaming my wife for indulging you too much, not that I hate you but she is spoiling you and she thinks its love for a Friend! Do you know that I an Orphan? I knew no Father, and my Mother died at my birth, my close relatives gave me up to the orphanage because they could not take care of an extra Baggage!

These two teenagers will go to the Orphanage! The rest of you are old enough to fend for yourselves! We shall try and collect your Mother’s benefits for you and with that you are on your own! Welcome to the real world! I am sorry for everything that has happened to you but I want you to know that it could be worse! It cannot be worse Sir! This is the worst situation any human being can find herself Caroline burst out wailing. She asked several unanswered questions: How can life be so unfair to us? Where do we start from? Six Girls! No father! No Mother! No Job! Oh God where are you?

We lived on charity from friends and well wishers for another three months. Caroline had planned on opening a provision shop when she receives Mummy’s benefit. She planned to send the three of us back to school. Tochi and Amara were already at the Orphanage. We go to visit them every last Saturday of the month.

Mr. Chinedu and his wife Madam Joana came visiting on a Saturday Morning, we had not seen them visit us together since the death of Mummy. Lest I forget, Mummy was later buried at the military Cemetery because the protocols Mr. Chinedu encountered when he went to my Mother’s Village was so much that he vowed not to go back there.

Their visit that morning made my heart skip. I wondered if the money that would liberate us was ready or has anything evil happened to our sisters at the orphanage. Immediately after exchanging pleasantries I asked: How is Amara and Tochi Sir? Oh they are doing just great! He said. I learnt you Girls went visiting last week? He asked. Relieved by his answer I said: yes sir we did.
Caroline came in with two Bottles of soft drink to entertain them, Mrs. Joana declined but the husband collected both Bottles, he opened one with his teeth and placed the other on the floor. You don’t want to drink? He asked her: I am okay honey, she replied. Well, I am thirsty, he said as he gulped down the drink he opened, he dropped the bottle and opened the second. The Wife stared at him with disapproval but he ignored her. He drained the second bottle, gave out a large belch and cleared his throat.

Now all of you come together! He said. It is time to talk! We all sat on the Mattress facing him as he stood up to address us. We had gotten used to receiving bad news. Do you know why my wife did not drink the Coke Caroline gave her? He asked. No sir! We chorused. Because she feels you cannot afford it, she feels you need the Money because of your helpless situation so why waste it on us! She pities you! I am telling you this because I know she is thirsty, she complained of thirst on our way here so I wonder why she would refuse a cold drink. I drank the drinks because I am very thirsty and you offered to quench my thirst so why should I refuse a helping hand? Now let me come plain with you Girls! I will talk to you the way I will talk to my Children because your late Father was my very good friend.

This is reality time! The Money we are expecting as your Mother’s entitlement might not materialize in a hurry, it could take months or years, too many paper works are involved but I assure you that you shall be paid the money. From next week, Caroline will take charge of pursuing that money because she has come of age. I shall hand over all the details to you Carol! Caroline was evidently scared as she stared at Mrs. Joana for intervention but Madam bowed her head to conceal the emerging tears from her eyes. Caroline begins to sob.

For your information! He continued, I am not moved by tears! You can ask my Wife here. Secondly, you need to wake up from your slumber and face the facts before you, you do not have any means of survival than relying on charity, and for how long will you continue like this? Three years ago Caroline graduated from secondary school, by then you all had flat Chests! But look at yourselves now! Look at your Chests! You have all grown into womanhood without realizing it! At this juncture we actually looked at our Bosoms and realized he spoke the truth, Madam Joana could not take it any longer as she left the room crying. You think you are still little Kids? For your information the world does not pity anyone who does not help his or herself! There is a lot the world offers for you to grab but it will not come to you by lazing about in a wretched Batcher waiting on Charity! Someone out there is enjoying your father’s sweat all in the name of one barbaric culture! This same person caused the death of your mother. Today he lives in your house with his family, he runs your father’s Company, he drives your father’s Cars, he spends your father’s Money while you sit here like cowards, drinking Garri, wearing outdated Clothes, and looking so ugly and unkempt! Your only Brother is now a slave in his father’s house, I drove by the house yesterday and I saw junior sweating and cutting grass under the sun while Amaechi’s children were inside the House probably drinking Juice from your refrigerator!

At this stage none of us could bear it. I had not cried for a very long time but that day tears flowed freely down my face as the reality of our situation dawned on me. Pauline and Silvia my two immediate elder Sisters ran out of the house screaming while Mrs. Joana rushed in and embraced Caroline crying and pacifying. From that day I resolved to take Mr. Chinedu as my mentor, he brought out the beast in me; he woke me up from my sleep and gave me the zeal to succeed in life at any cost.

Please call Pauline and Silvia back in! He commanded his wife. He continued: Another truth I will tell you is that the day you receive your Mother’s Money, you are no longer entitled to live here! The Army will send you out of the Barracks; they may give you three months grace at maximum, so note that you may need to rent an apartment from that money before anything else. You cannot come to live in my House because there is no space there. Madam Joana once again ran out the room crying. Leave that Woman he said, she cries over everything, if you kill a Mosquito with your palms and my wife sees the blood from the Mosquito you killed ,she will begin to cry so don’t mind her. Crying is her hobby he continued, and I can see here that all of you are taking after her! Is she you Mother? Yes Sir! My Caroline cried. She has been a Mother to us! She is our Mother! He let out a sadistic laugh. You Girls don’t get it yet, but that is by the way he said.

Now listen to me! You must strive to conquer your foes! You must lick your wounds, allow it to heal and continue the hunt, for this world is like a jungle. I want you Girls to open your eyes and see the opportunities around you, take your destiny in your hands and bring shame to your enemies. I will always be behind to advise and encourage you but don’t come to me for Money because I have my own responsibility in my house.
That day Mr. Chinedu gave each of us Fifty thousand naira each. He told us the story of the ten talents in the Bible before they left our Batcher.

PROLOGUE…….

I cannot remember when it actually started: I mean when events took a drastic turn in my life. I was a regular Girl growing up in a regular urban environment in Enugu. Abakpa Nike is Urban at least when compared to the likes of Ngwogo Nike, Ibagwa Nike and numerous inaccessible Villages in the State.

I was born the fourth successive female Child to Mr. and Mrs. Felix Chinedu. I have three younger siblings and the only boy being the youngest. His name is Chinedu but we call him Junior.

Daddy was a contractor supplying Materials to Companies like ANAMCO and EMENITE. He was always on the move attending meetings and interviews on week days and social functions at weekends.
Mummy taught at Army day secondary school, now Comman
d day secondary School Abakpa Enugu.
The Family had four Cars: A Mercedes Benz 200 series, a 504 Peugeot Saloon Car, a 404 Peugeot Pick-up van and a Hiace Bus. We lived in our own House, a twin Duplex at the Federal Housing estate Abakpa Nike, Enugu.

Growing up was fun, we were many in the House, seven Children, two maids, extended family members always visiting. Our House was always a haven for meetings and parties as our parent belonged to several associations. Mum belonged to the Catholic association of Christian Mothers, Association of Ikwere women, Prudent Women association which is a credit and thrift society. She is also the P.R.O of the State Chapter of the Nigerian union of teachers.

Daddy belonged to about seven social Clubs. When he is not attending any social or serious function, he plays Golf on Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings. Dad always told us that Golf playing is a link to People that mattered. Most of the Contract deals he got were sealed on the Golf Pitch and delivered in the office the next day. Dad never misses and appointment and is the most time conscious person I have seen in my life.
Most last Saturdays of the month, Dads Driver would take the Children in the Hiace Bus to Polo Park along Abakaliki Road for pure amusement. While we run about the Park catching fun, Uncle KC, Dad’s driver would be trying to ensure that we do not stray out of his sight. To Us Kids it was like playing hide and seek but to him, he was protecting his Job! The amusement park is located adjacent to the state owned Polytechnic, The Institute of management and Technology.

Our Parent met in that Institution popularly known by its acronym, I.M.T. Dad graduated with upper credit grade in Building and Quantity Survey department while Mummy graduated with lower credit grade in Secretarial Studies. They said their love story started on the stair case.
Dad would always reiterate on how they normally steal glances at each other whenever they met while one is ascending and the other descending the stair case to and from their Lecture rooms both upstairs on the same Building at Campus 3 independence layout Enugu.

On this fateful day, Daddy would boast: when they met as usual, Daddy blocked Mummy from passing through and challenged her: Come! Why are you always stealing glances at me whenever our Paths cross? How do you mean? Mummy had asked. Any time I am on this stair case, you are here too, anytime I turn around to stare at your back side, you do the same too! Why? He asked her. Mummy had blushed and was very embarrassed. How can you say I turn back to look at your back side! She said. Then why do you turn around? To look at my long head? I don’t know! She had said, maybe it’s just a coincidence! Good! Dad said, At least you did not deny turning back to stare at your husband even though he has not approached you for that yet... My name is Felix Chinedu Amadi, HND 1 Building Department, I am from Rivers state and Ikwere by tribe. She replied, I am Ogbonna Ada OND 1 Secretarial studies ,I am from Unubi in Anambra State.

Daddy could go on telling the same story over and over while Mummy interjects intermittently to affirm or oppose him. They never got tired of discussing their relationship. Even the day Daddy died on his bed at the University of Nigeria teaching Hospital Enugu they had been discussing and laughing till he died with a smile on Lip…….That is the only sane and sweet part of my Life and it died with my father. My name is Deborah Adanne Amadi.

Part 1

Chapter 1

Smelling a Rat…

It was on April fool’s day in 1993. I was a JSS 2 Student at Command Secondary School Abakaliki, a total boarding school with military affiliation for Boys and Girls.

We have just had our last lesson for the day delivered by Madam Ezumah, the Home economics Teacher. It was almost close of school and time for lunch. Thursdays were very significant days at School back then because at lunch we were served Jollof y rice, fish and Banana. We called it “Banana race” day and it was serious business because you prepare for it as if preparing for a local Olympic!
Once the School time keeper picks the Bell up to ring at 2.30PM, the first clang of the bell sends every Banana ambitious Student out of the class room dashing at 100 metres speed towards the dining hall. The race was for the swift. The aim was to arrive at the Dining table first and pick the biggest and most succulent Banana and if possible steal from other Dining tables en-route yours. You could equally steal one or two from your own Table and pass it to a friend for keeps before the arrival of other Table members, there by rendering late arrivals Banana less! If you attended a Boarding School, you will follow my drift.

The Dining Hall was divided into Boys and Girls sections and we normally queue into the hall during meals but on Thursday, that rule does not apply as every opening like, Doors, windows and vents becomes an entry point. Only do not be caught, you would be so sorry if you are.
I had my plans well laid out. My cutlery and that of my senior roommate in my nylon bag, my mind set on the open window by my dining Table, and on the main entrance as my plan “B”. My eyes focused on the class room exit, my ears drawn and stretched to capture the faintest sound of a bell. The sound of a spoon dropping on the floor would spring me out of the Class room. And that is the same mood majority of the Students were at such period.

The Clock was ticking! My heart was beating! One hundred and eighty seconds more and the anxiety would be over…Let this Cup pass me by, though it is self-imposed, let it pass. I looked around the Classroom; everyone was on alert, all eyes at the exit! The mood here was tensed. Some Boys were already on their feet, some stood close the door restless, and I wished I was a Boy, I so wished I was a Boy! But as a Girl I had to pretend. Pretend all was well until the bell rings and all hell will be let loose as if a fire alarm had sounded. The only sign of anxiety I displayed was the tapping of my pen on my Desk.

Suddenly the Boys at the Door ran back to their Desks and sat. Meaning that a teacher or prefect was approaching. What a time for an intruder to come into our Class? At the eleventh hour? The Bell would sound any moment from now, this is injury time!
Into the Class room came Madam Mbaneto, my House Mistress as well as French Teacher. We all stood up and chorused: Bonjour madam Mbaneto!

Bonjour te le monde! She replied, comment te le vous?

And we replied “Tres bien! Merci!

Asii! She said and we sat down.

She moved about the Classroom looking at our faces. Ten seconds more. Be gone woman!

Deborah Amadi! She called out.

I sprang up as it coincided with the sound of the school bell. Did the School bell call my name or what? Follow me now! She commanded as she turned, moving towards the exit wriggling her waist.

I always admired her rear view; I wished I would develop such hips when I grow up. But today I hated her as I watched through teary eyes as Students rush to the dining Hall. No! She was not referring to me; I looked around and saw one of the Classroom windows stood ajar, in a jiffy I was out through the window dashing towards the Dining hall. Only two of my Class Boys were already at my front, Gbadebo and Usani, with these two, no one contests!

Deborah! Deborah! Come back here! Madam Mbaneto bellowed.

I stopped in my track, I knew better than to continue running, I had lost the race and the prize as well. All I could do was whisper to Cordellia “Cordellia please help me keep my banana” you hear? She said okay but I knew I would not get any Banana that day because Cordellia herself has not had a Banana since the beginning of the Term, she will never rush for Banana. I plodded back to meet my House mistress. To my Office! She commanded. I stood akimbo panting as I nodded affirming her command. I turned and staggered towards her Office.

Uncle KC, Daddy’s Driver was in madam Mbaneto’s Office. It was a Thursday and first day of the Month. This must be somebody trying to play a prank on me on April fool’s day. But how would Daddy go this far? To send his Driver all the way from Enugu to Abakaliki!
Last Saturdays were the Schools “Visiting Days” I wondered what was happening on April fool’s day. However I rushed into his open Arms forgetting the pain in my heart. I thought my Parent decided to send Uncle KC to me at the beginning of the month because they did not visit me in the Month of March. His presence pacified me and I let go of the grief over my Banana loss. My Goodies would be in the Booth of whatever Car he came with.

The Door to the Office opened and the Administrative Officer (A.O) of the School Captain Salihu entered. Is this the Girl? He asked madam Mbaneto. Yes sir! Deborah Amadi: She said.

Derby how are you? Fine Sir! I replied. Yeah emm you are needed at home, you will go with your Daddy’s Driver and you are expected back here by next week Monday! Is that clear? Yes Sir! I replied more out of confusion. Just like that? What is my Parent celebrating that so much need s my presence? I pondered.

Well, I have nothing to lose I thought, after all I was going with the A.O’s approval. It is not easy to get an express permission to go home when it is not Mid-term break or Close of academic session.

Your House Mistress will accompany you to the Hostel to pick any of your belongings you want to take with you: He stressed. Okay Sir! I muttered. He left the way he came while we drove to the Hostel to pick my Traveling Bag.

That was the last day I saw the Gates of my Beloved Secondary School? A School that was moulding me positively in Character and in learning. A School which would have changed the course of my life for good. A School that taught me how to manage hunger, how to be independent, I learnt discipline, I learnt decorum, I learnt how to focus and read to understand , a School that exposed me to Children of the rich in the Country, Children of Senior military officers and top Politicians, Children of the Middle Class that up and doing , Children of the Poor that entered the School through Scholarship and have resolved to better their lot in the face of oppression from the Children of the rich by facing their studies squarely and topping their Class in academic activities. Command Secondary school had set in me a natural “fighting spirit”! And that was the only property I took out from that School, and it has kept me thus far.

I left the School with only my traveling Bag! Every other Property I owned was abandoned in the Hostel because I thought I would be back by Monday as directed by the A.O. My friends, my hopes, my aspiration to be a Medical Doctor, my dreams were all left in Block “B” Room 5&6 Dragon House! That was how the only sweet phase of my life faded away. I was barely twelve years old, young, chaste and innocent!
On our way to Enugu I started to suspect that something was wrong. Uncle KC was gloomy and barely talked. I remembered that many times any Student was picked from school in this manner, something tragic must have happened at home. I asked after my Mother, he said she was fine. I asked about my father he barely uttered a reply, I then asked him why he had come to pick me from School, he did not do a good job trying to lie to me because the death of Dad affected him too. The old man suddenly burst into tears and started wailing like a Baby he had to park the Car by the road side.

He told me he had travelled down to our Village with Daddy and spent two day. It was a family meeting to settle some Land disputes. My Daddy had a lot of Lands he bought in our home town in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of River State. He said my Daddy must have been poisoned during the meetings because he started stooling and vomiting during the journey back to Enugu. He advised my Dad to go back to the Village for alternative medicine but Daddy insisted he drove to Enugu.

Daddy did not survive it as he died three days later at the Hospital when everyone thought he had stabilized. Dad was said to be talking and was in high Spirit on his Hospital Bed in company of Mummy when he suddenly passed out while laughing to a joke he had cracked. Daddy had died and that was why I was taken from school to attend his burial. I did not cry then. I did not understand.


Chapter 2

Reality dawns…

After the burial of my Father, things happened so fast in the family and after a year of his death, we were living in a Batcher! A make-shift House built with Zinc (roofing sheet) and plywood in the Army barracks at Abakpa in Enugu. This was a privilege given to my Mother because she was a Teacher at the Army secondary school.
Daddy had no written Will at his death and had not changed his next of Kin to my Mother or our only Son Chinedu so his younger Brother Uncle Amaechi, naturally inherited all my Father had because he has been my Father’s next of Kin in all documentations made by my father before he married. My father had

petylv: I don't know what went wrong, I wanted to sign in with my username and I was getting not registered, I had to open another account with the same username and email, I really don't know what happened to my previous account. Here I am thinking I must have missed a lot, I'm so surprise right now not to have found anything on your post. It is well

my Dear i tire o! even me too i had to re register using my old ID and email. everything about me and NL was wiped off, even the Story on Restless i uploaded is not visible. it is well o!

DEDICATION
To the loving memory of Olukunle Fijabi who left too soon
 




PROLOGUE…….
I cannot remember when it actually started: I mean when events took a drastic turn in my life. I was a regular Girl growing up in a regular urban environment in Enugu. Abakpa Nike is Urban at least when compared to the likes of Ngwogo Nike, Ibagwa Nike and numerous inaccessible Villages in the State.

I was born the fourth successive female Child to Mr. and Mrs. Felix Chinedu. I have three younger siblings and the only boy being the youngest. His name is Chinedu but we call him Junior.
Daddy was a contractor supplying Materials to Companies like ANAMCO and EMENITE. He was always on the move attending meetings and interviews on week days and social functions at weekends.

Mummy taught at Army day secondary school, now Command day secondary School Abakpa Enugu.
The Family had four Cars: A Mercedes Benz 200 series, a 504 Peugeot Saloon Car, a 404 Peugeot Pick-up van and a Hiace Bus. We lived in our own House, a twin Duplex at the Federal Housing estate Abakpa Nike, Enugu.

Growing up was fun, we were many in the House, seven Children, two maids, extended family members always visiting. Our House was always a haven for meetings and parties as our parent belonged to several associations. Mum belonged to the Catholic association of Christian Mothers, Association of Ikwere women, Prudent Women association which is a credit and thrift society. She is also the P.R.O of the State Chapter of the Nigerian union of teachers.

Daddy belonged to about seven social Clubs. When he is not attending any social or serious function, he plays Golf on Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings. Dad always told us that Golf playing is a link to People that mattered. Most of the Contract deals he got were sealed on the Golf Pitch and delivered in the office the next day. Dad never misses and appointment and is the most time conscious person I have seen in my life.
Most last Saturdays of the month, Dads Driver would take the Children in the Hiace Bus to Polo Park along Abakaliki Road for pure amusement. While we run about the Park catching fun, Uncle KC, Dad’s driver would be trying to ensure that we do not stray out of his sight. To Us Kids it was like playing hide and seek but to him, he was protecting his Job! The amusement park is located adjacent to the state owned Polytechnic, The Institute of management and Technology.

Our Parent met in that Institution popularly known by its acronym, I.M.T. Dad graduated with upper credit grade in Building and Quantity Survey department while Mummy graduated with lower credit grade in Secretarial Studies. They said their love story started on the stair case.
Dad would always reiterate on how they normally steal glances at each other whenever they met while one is ascending and the other descending the stair case to and from their Lecture rooms both upstairs on the same Building at Campus 3 independence layout Enugu.

On this fateful day, Daddy would boast: when they met as usual, Daddy blocked Mummy from passing through and challenged her: Come! Why are you always stealing glances at me whenever our Paths cross? How do you mean? Mummy had asked. Any time I am on this stair case, you are here too, anytime I turn around to stare at your back side, you do the same too! Why? He asked her. Mummy had blushed and was very embarrassed. How can you say I turn back to look at your back side! She said. Then why do you turn around? To look at my long head? I don’t know! She had said, maybe it’s just a coincidence! Good! Dad said, At least you did not deny turning back to stare at your husband even though he has not approached you for that yet... My name is Felix Chinedu Amadi, HND 1 Building Department, I am from Rivers state and Ikwere by tribe. She replied, I am Ogbonna Ada OND 1 Secretarial studies ,I am from Unubi in Anambra State.

Daddy could go on telling the same story over and over while Mummy interjects intermittently to affirm or oppose him. They never got tired of discussing their relationship. Even the day Daddy died on his bed at the University of Nigeria teaching Hospital Enugu they had been discussing and laughing till he died with a smile on Lip…….That is the only sane and sweet part of my Life and it died with my father. My name is Deborah Adanne Amadi.


Part 1

Chapter 1

Smelling a Rat…

It was on April fool’s day in 1993. I was a JSS 2 Student at Command Secondary School Abakaliki, a total boarding school with military affiliation for Boys and Girls.
We have just had our last lesson for the day delivered by Madam Ezumah, the Home economics Teacher. It was almost close of school and time for lunch. Thursdays were very significant days at School back then because at lunch we were served Jollof y rice, fish and Banana. We called it “Banana race” day and it was serious business because you prepare for it as if preparing for a local Olympic!
Once the School time keeper picks the Bell up to ring at 2.30PM, the first clang of the bell sends every Banana ambitious Student out of the class room dashing at 100 metres speed towards the dining hall. The race was for the swift. The aim was to arrive at the Dining table first and pick the biggest and most succulent Banana and if possible steal from other Dining tables en-route yours. You could equally steal one or two from your own Table and pass it to a friend for keeps before the arrival of other Table members, there by rendering late arrivals Banana less! If you attended a Boarding School, you will follow my drift.

The Dining Hall was divided into Boys and Girls sections and we normally queue into the hall during meals but on Thursday, that rule does not apply as every opening like, Doors, windows and vents becomes an entry point. Only do not be caught, you would be so sorry if you are.
I had my plans well laid out. My cutlery and that of my senior roommate in my nylon bag, my mind set on the open window by my dining Table, and on the main entrance as my plan “B”. My eyes focused on the class room exit, my ears drawn and stretched to capture the faintest sound of a bell. The sound of a spoon dropping on the floor would spring me out of the Class room. And that is the same mood majority of the Students were at such period.

The Clock was ticking! My heart was beating! One hundred and eighty seconds more and the anxiety would be over…Let this Cup pass me by, though it is self-imposed, let it pass. I looked around the Classroom; everyone was on alert, all eyes at the exit! The mood here was tensed. Some Boys were already on their feet, some stood close the door restless, and I wished I was a Boy, I so wished I was a Boy! But as a Girl I had to pretend. Pretend all was well until the bell rings and all hell will be let loose as if a fire alarm had sounded. The only sign of anxiety I displayed was the tapping of my pen on my Desk.

Suddenly the Boys at the Door ran back to their Desks and sat. Meaning that a teacher or prefect was approaching. What a time for an intruder to come into our Class? At the eleventh hour? The Bell would sound any moment from now, this is injury time!
Into the Class room came Madam Mbaneto, my House Mistress as well as French Teacher. We all stood up and chorused: Bonjour madam Mbaneto!

Bonjour te le monde! She replied, comment te le vous?

And we replied “Tres bien! Merci!

Asii! She said and we sat down.

She moved about the Classroom looking at our faces. Ten seconds more. Be gone woman!

Deborah Amadi! She called out.

I sprang up as it coincided with the sound of the school bell. Did the School bell call my name or what? Follow me now! She commanded as she turned, moving towards the exit wriggling her waist.

I always admired her rear view; I wished I would develop such hips when I grow up. But today I hated her as I watched through teary eyes as Students rush to the dining Hall. No! She was not referring to me; I looked around and saw one of the Classroom windows stood ajar, in a jiffy I was out through the window dashing towards the Dining hall. Only two of my Class Boys were already at my front, Gbadebo and Usani, with these two, no one contests!

Deborah! Deborah! Come back here! Madam Mbaneto bellowed.

I stopped in my track, I knew better than to continue running, I had lost the race and the prize as well. All I could do was whisper to Cordellia “Cordellia please help me keep my banana” you hear? She said okay but I knew I would not get any Banana that day because Cordellia herself has not had a Banana since the beginning of the Term, she will never rush for Banana.

I plodded back to meet my House mistress. To my Office! She commanded. I stood akimbo panting as I nodded affirming her command. I turned and staggered towards her Office.

Uncle KC, Daddy’s Driver was in madam Mbaneto’s Office. It was a Thursday and first day of the Month. This must be somebody trying to play a prank on me on April fool’s day. But how would Daddy go this far? To send his Driver all the way from Enugu to Abakaliki!

Last Saturdays were the Schools “Visiting Days” I wondered what was happening on April fool’s day. However I rushed into his open Arms forgetting the pain in my heart. I thought my Parent decided to send Uncle KC to me at the beginning of the month because they did not visit me in the Month of March. His presence pacified me and I let go of the grief over my Banana loss. My Goodies would be in the Booth of whatever Car he came with.

The Door to the Office opened and the Administrative Officer (A.O) of the School Captain Salihu entered. Is this the Girl? He asked madam Mbaneto. Yes sir! Deborah Amadi: She said.

Derby how are you? Fine Sir! I replied. Yeah emm you are needed at home, you will go with your Daddy’s Driver and you are expected back here by next week Monday! Is that clear? Yes Sir! I replied more out of confusion. Just like that? What is my Parent celebrating that so much need s my presence? I pondered.
Well, I have nothing to lose I thought, after all I was going with the A.O’s approval. It is not easy to get an express permission to go home when it is not Mid-term break or Close of academic session.

Your House Mistress will accompany you to the Hostel to pick any of your belongings you want to take with you: He stressed. Okay Sir! I muttered. He left the way he came while we drove to the Hostel to pick my Traveling Bag.

That was the last day I saw the Gates of my Beloved Secondary School? A School that was moulding me positively in Character and in learning. A School which would have changed the course of my life for good. A School that taught me how to manage hunger, how to be independent, I learnt discipline, I learnt decorum, I learnt how to focus and read to understand , a School that exposed me to Children of the rich in the Country, Children of Senior military officers and top Politicians, Children of the Middle Class that up and doing , Children of the Poor that entered the School through Scholarship and have resolved to better their lot in the face of oppression from the Children of the rich by facing their studies squarely and topping their Class in academic activities. Command Secondary school had set in me a natural “fighting spirit”! And that was the only property I took out from that School, and it has kept me thus far.

hmmm, i cant seem to find any of my posts o! well thank God i have soft copies handy.