Honey are you still sad over what happened this morning?” He kissed her on both cheeks before sitting on the dirty worn out mattress. His eyes wandered to the money beside the cripple and he thought of how to collect it from her. He had been watching the house, waiting patiently for the old hag to leave. He was growing impatient, thinking she would never leave. He wondered why he had decided to make her one of his conquest when he could go for a better girl. Maybe it was her naivety or innocence that drew him to her, he couldn’t tell.
“Yes,” She hugged him closer, sobbing softly.
“She no longer loves you, that is why she takes her anger out on me. I only came to check up on you but she drove me away.”
“Why? Why doesn’t she want me anymore?” She cried.
” It will be alright. Remember you have me now,”
he lowered her to the bed, kissing her neck. He gently reassured her that he wouldn’t hurt her. He reminded her of the splendid life they would both live when he made it big. He said he loved her and she was the best thing to ever happen to him. He wasted no time plunging into her moist virginal core.He held her when she cried out, either in pain or pleasure he couldn’t say but he doesn’t care either. Afterwards, he held her in arm contemplating on how to relieve her of the money which was now scattered on the bare floor of the room.
” I love you too Peter”.
He caressed her softly “Sweetheart, I hate to be away from you for just a second but I have to leave. I don’t want your mother to meet me here.”
” Take me with you” She said earnestly.”
He wasn’t prepared for her response and he found himself short of words. He thought of what to tell her, he said the only thing that came to his mind.” Now that you’ve said it, I think we should leave this Town. I have some substantial amount stashed away to last us for a while. We will get a cozy little house and a young puppy to keep you company while I go in search of our daily bread”.
The sixteen years old lit up happily. It was like a dream coming true for her, a home with her darling Peter and a young puppy to keep her company. She loved puppies and she had always yearned for one but her Mama had refused to get her one.
“When do we leave?” She asked.
” Tomorrow. We will go to Lagos, we will leave this little Town with no electricity. We would make our way in the world, you and I. When we have enough money you can decide if you want to send for your mother. That is, if you can forgive her for wanting to be rid of you.” he said.
She flung herself into his arms.” Oh Peter! You are so kind! Yes I will send for her when we have our own house.”
” Good. My love, I have to get our tickets today. I will come for you tomorrow. Will you…..will you lend me some money to get the bus tickets.” He asked, acting uncomfortably.
“You can take the money on the floor. It is my exam fee but since we are moving away I don’t have to write the exams anymore.”
His fingers gathered the five hundred naira notes quickly while his black heart jumped up with glee.
“You should clean yourself up before your mother gets back.” He said, indicating the drops of blood trickling down her frail thighs. “Is there anything you want me to do for you?”
“Yes please. Move my chair closer”
He grabbed the wheelchair by the corner of the room and drew it closer to her. He kissed her for the last time, with the promise to come for her the next day when her mother had left home for work. He walked out of the little room contentedly. He had taken her maiden head and his pocket was heavy. For him, the chase and the game were over.
The Next Day
When Ada came home from work she met her daughter by the window of her room. She knew must happened without being told. The dried tears on her cheeks and the new red frock she wore. That night, Ada dipped her hands into her saving box, she had been religiously saving towards her daughter’s tuition. She prepared Mercy’s favorite meal of pounded yam but the young girl did not eat even a morsel. Every day, she sat by the window looking out for her lover. But Peter never returned.
Unable to take it anymore, Ada decided to do something about her daughter’s predicament. “Mercy” She said softly, “Please get up and eat your food. You have grown so lean, your collar bones are sticking out.” I promise to go in search of him, if it would make you feel better. ”
Mercy couldn’t believe she had heard her mother right. She had been so worried about Peter, it was unlike him not to pay her a visit in a day. She was also certain something terrible must have happened to him. All the while she sat by her window, she silently prayed to God to keep him safe and to bring him back to her safely.
“Thank you Mama” She said.
Ada placed a bowl of steaming hot beans in front of her, she watched her scooped some into her mouth chewing it slowly. ” Do you want bread or garri?”
“No.” She replied.
“Alright,” Ada said tiredly, after being satisfied that the food won’t go uneaten ,she stood up.” I will go check on Peter”
” I am afraid something terrible happened to him. Please Mama, he is an orphan. He has no family to worry about him” She said naively.
Ada bit her tongue to refrain from replying. She wondered if she had done the right thing in letting her daughter always control her with her teary eyes and sad face. She had over pampered and spoiled her only child. She had also shut her from the world; no wonder the poor girl was so naive and weak. She wished right there and then, that she could undo the hand of time. She would have raised her daughter to be in control of her emotions and to be independent. Peter’s mother was a kept woman with no shame. His drunken father provides amusement for both children and adults every evening.
“Eat your food. I will go check up on him” She said, before walking out of the room into the living room which was almost bare save for two old worn out sofas. The Sofas came off the backyard of one of her bosses. The living room was illuminated by a candle light placed in a plate on a wooden stool. She pushed open the door and walked into the chilly night.
*
“How may I help you?” The fat woman asked impatiently, her customer was already lying on the bed Unclad and she wasn’t going to tolerate any sort of intrusion.
“Good evening Ma” Ada said, “Please I seek Peter, is he at home?”.
” No” She snapped, slamming the door in her face.
Ada was momentarily stunned by the other woman’s actions. She wrapped her arms around her form to ward off the chill creeping down her spine. She wanted her daughter to be happy and for that she was ready to bear anything. She was almost out of the compound when she saw two love birds coming from afar. She felt something snap in her, she marched towards them angrily and halted in front of them.
“Is anything the matter?” the girl asked.
“Woman, why are you blocking our path?” Peter asked.
Ada took a deep breath and clenched her fingers.” Please can I see you in private?”
” Do I know you?” He asked, pretending not to know who she was.
“I am Mercy’s mother”.
“Mercy?” he said.” Who is she? I don’t know you woman and I don’t know any mercy”.
They made to side step her and she grabbed Peter’s hand. “Do you think you can mess with my child and go Scott free?’’.
He yanked his hand away.” How long will you keep begging me to marry your lame child?”
Ada’ s hand shot up to hit him but she jerked her hand down again. ” Stay away from us. I don’t want to ever see you near my doorsteps again.” She walked away angrily.
She saw the smoke before she got to her house.
The whole house was enveloped in thick black smoke; she ran into her apartment, the living room was shrouded with smoke. She could barely see her way, she kept screaming her child’s name. The smoke got her dizzy, she stepped on a burning wood and screamed in pain, she ran forward, smack into a wall. The pain seared her skull; she felt something trickling down her chin. She knew it was her blood, her tongue found the empty space where a tooth had once been in her upper jaw. She took another step further, searching for the way with her hand. She could make out Mercy’s small form sprawled on the ground. Tears of relieve filled her eyes.
She carried the unconscious girl into her arms; slowly she made her way out of the room just as a big log of wood dropped right on the spot the girl was.
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To be continued
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