₦airaland Forum

Centino:
CASTRO

I went looking for Irikefe straight from mama’s hide out. It was early afternoon and mama Akunna had been missing for up to eighteen hours. The men had decided to go to the police. It was better than doing nothing.

I found Irikefe at the backyard cleaning an old pair of boots.

“Irikefe, abeg come.” I said

“Bros, you see ghost?”

“Yes” I said.

He grinned and set the boots on a discarded locker facing the sun, took two paces back and whistled in admiration of his exotic footwear. It was a brown iron ranger six inches boot. It was Friday and only meant that Irikefe was going to the club at Apapa tonight.

As soon as I was sure we were out of earshot I said: “I have seen Mama”.

Irikefe started like he had seen a ghost himself.

“For where?”

“She is hiding in the room you told me Wasiu hides his drugs.”

“And the baby?”

“She has it with her.”

“But people should hear it crying na. What is she feeding it?”

“Believe it or not, I saw her breastfeeding the baby.” Irikefe held his stomach and covered his mouth like he was holding back vomit.

“I was as shocked.”

“What are you waiting for? Tell Akunna or Mr Zubi so they can go in there and shoot her and take that baby.”

“She is blackmailing me.”

“How?”

“She said I should go and start a story that she has been kidnapped and then return to her discreetly.”

“You are doing no such thing. What does she have on you?”

I took a deep breath and looked him squarely in the eye. “It’s Maya.”

Irikefe seemed confused at first, and then slowly realization hit him. His grin widened and he said “you mean…” and made a hole with his left thumb and index finger and inserted his right index finger into it obscenely.

I looked away and irikefe jumped up and exclaimed “Bros Freke!” and gave me a hug. Looking at him you would think I won the lottery. “So how was it? That fine girl bros. see her front and back and sweet face. Choi.”

“Shut up Irikefe.”

“Okay okay” he said but he could not wipe off the sly smile on his face.

“So mama knows you could have robbed mama Tobi of her daughter’s bride price and wants you to help her for her silence?”

I nodded.

“I know what you can do” We heard another voice say and looked around and saw Mr Zubi’s oldest son Castro.

“Who be dis one?” Irikefe said shooing him away, but Castro stood still and refused to budge.

“I heard everything,” He said.

I did not doubt that he did. We were by the corner of the building facing the fence, where a person could crop up from the backyard without being seen, protected by a 90 degree wall.

“Did you see your mate here?” Irikefe said.

“I want to join your group,” Castro said.

“What do you mean by that Castro?” I said.

“I want to be hanging out with the two of you.”

“Which kind nonsense be this? Irikefe said irritably but Castro ignored him and spoke directly to me.

“I see you guys all the time observing and talking about things and I want to be a part of it. I know things too.”

“See, Castro. We are not a group and you can talk to us at any time” I said.

“I am eighteen” he said.

“I know”

“Last week I disvirgined mama Kike’s last daughter.”

“What?” Irikefe gasped.

“Wait Castro. Firstly it is not disvirgin but deflower. And if you did that it is nothing to be proud of. We are talking about a ten or eleven year old.”

“Twelve.”

“That doesn’t make it any better. And that is not a criterion to join us as you put it. If anything, I can hate you for that.”

“But irikefe here disflowered all the girls in this compound and he is your friend. I beat him to this one!”

Irikefe made to speak but kept quiet and scowled at Castro.

“I have also touched sister Esther’s breast. She allowed me, but beat up Irikefe with a stick like a donkey when he went to try her.”

Irikefe charged at Castro but I came between them.

“She was drying her clothes and I went and did like I wanted to dry clothes too. The place was full and covered with wrappers. She was not wearing anything under her tshirt. I just stretched my hand and touched it. She was not angry. She said she knew I was curious as a teenager but that I should not do it again. She has given me food twice since then.”

I and Irikefe exchanged bemused looks.

“Alright Castro. I agree you have done these things. But very soon your mother will come and call you to go and wash plates, then what happens? I and Irikefe here more or less live independently. Tonight we are even going to the club. Can you come?”

“Yes. I m now independent”

“I see.”

“Bros I am tired of being treated like a child. All my father does is to call me Ewu Gambia, just because he is feeding me. Meanwhile he is Ewu Morocco.”

Irikefe and I burst out laughing.”

“His own is to make mouth about his acting days. We all know he never featured in any meaningful film. He may be ugly, but Segun Arinze is still acting na. The man has no talent!”

Irikefe and I laughed even harder. Castro was beginning to feel comfortable. He adjusted the belt that held his jeans and brought his voice a tone lower and said “see, bros. This mama thing is simple. Just ignore her. She can’t tell anyone anything while she is in hiding. And your babe’s in-laws are coming this evening. Let’s stop Wasiu from taking her food and you will see that she will give herself up. She won’t do it before dark. And by that time Maya will already be in her husband’s house.”

“You mean she will go with them today?” I said before I realized myself.

“Bros, these men always come and carry our poor girls like that. I’m sure Mama Tobi is glad this one is even showing his face. Her first daughter just went and started bearing children for one man.”

I shook my head.

“But if you don’t want them to get married, we can also stop it. I see you love Maya. We all do, just that no one can near her. You are a great man bros.”

“Oya Castro, your mother is calling you.”

“Leave him alone Irikefe” I said.

Castro’s eyes lit up. He was accepted. I looked up in time to see him sticking his tongue out to Irikefe.

“You are a good guy bros. Even though you have been to the university you still interact with us freely and we all like you. I will speak with Lukman and Wasiu and we will stop that marriage. I will be happy to know that it is you that is chopping that angel, instead of that illiterate.”

“Do you know him?”

“No bros. but I know his type.”

“See guys, the most pressing matter now is Mama. How did she even know I was with Maya from where she was hiding? I don dey fear. How about I just tell the police? They have already gone to report.”

“She will then know you betrayed her,” Irikefe said. I don’t want to cross that woman’s path again I swear. Think about it…you were on top of Maya in your room and she knew. She has a newborn baby in her custody in a public compound and the baby has not cried once. Bros I no dey. Maybe this goat Castro is right. Do nothing and let her get tired and show herself.”

“And what will I tell her then?”

“Hope that Akunna puts his machete to use. If you must do something, offer to help him sharpen it.”

We all kept quiet and looked at each other.

“Bros, I have something to do outside. Mama Tobi wants me to help and arrange seats for her visitors. But I have my own plans.”


TO BE CONTINUED