Chapter Four

"Mom." I cooed.

"What is it?" She shouted.

I flinched. "I have to start going., I said quietly.

"I can't wait for you to leave. You're good for nothing girl but still have the guts to say my own Chinenye feels entitled. I will let you go now because I am having a headache. When you get to Joyce's place, talk like a puppet. It will be a good thing, so they would send you back to me faster." 

I stared at her. 

"Who are you eying?" She flung the kitchen knife at me. 

I was lucky because I escaped by a fraction. "I never eyed you, mummy." 

"I don't have transport money to give and I can't leave what I am doing either, so bye."

I knew it meant case dismissed. I sighed as I walked out of the house. I was so hungry and tired but I didn't want to stay in that house a second more.

The route to Joyce’s place was lengthy and I was hungry, tired and unhappy. I had assumed that the moment I walked out of my home, I would have been cheerful but that wasn’t the case. Everything I was feeling was making my emotions get the better off me. To aggravate my present mood was my slippers which were starting to make my ankle throb with every step I took, it was a weird feeling but it was my reality. My spine ached from walking so long, in fact, the whole of my body was in throes of pain. I liked walking but this wasn’t it. If only mom would have taken me.

In as much as I had walked through the winding road using short cuts to hasten my arrival to Joyce’s home, it looked like I haven’t made an ounce of improvement for close to forty-five minutes. The closer it seemed I got to the house, the further away it was. I could liken it to searching for a pin in a satchel but maybe I was exaggerating a bit.

On the street where I presently was, there were few signs of life; a child playing with a ball, a couple of miscreants parading the street who caused me to lower my head to avoid undue attention to myself, some barbers and hairdressers and a few people heading somewhere in a hurry. I honestly couldn’t wait to turn the corner that will pull me into the guarded estate of Joyce but my leg slowed me down and the road was equally bad. 

“Take it easy o.” Someone said. 

I didn’t want to know who was speaking and I kept walking but soon enough, the person held my hand. I was taken aback by the gesture which stalled me in motion. My first instinct was to panic but when I looked up, it was my mother’s friend, Mr Chetachukwu, a prominent photographer. 

“Good evening sir.” I greeted.

His hands were still on my arm which I tried as politely as possible to extract. He seemed to get the message and removed his arm, resting it by his side. I discreetly checked his outfit. He was wearing his signature polo-shirt on khaki pants. I welcomed the conversation so as to rest a little and because I felt that I was a little safe with him, anyway.

My hands were drawing my bag close to me by its

“Ada, where are you going? This street is too dangerous o.” He asked in a concerned voice.

I smiled, trying to dilute the situation. “Olabisi estate. It’s not too far from here.” 

“I know where it is but you’re trekking from your house to this place or did you take a bus or bike that stopped you halfway? Why didn’t your mom escort you?” He bombarded me with questions. 

His eyes seemed to bore into me like I might tell a lie and he would detect it immediately. I couldn’t blame him though, I shouldn’t have walked alone but not every parent cared about those little things. At least, not mine. Though, I had to be careful with my words to avoid implicating myself.

“I miscalculated the distance back home,” I said simply. No need to say more or he would surely figure out I was lying.

“I take it this is your first time of being here.” He pulled me aside abruptly as a bike zoomed past.

“Not really.” I caught myself from having a panic attack due to the force he’d exerted.

He blinked rapidly as he stroked his chin. “I’d take it up with your mom. I don’t like the idea of you roaming around the streets, claiming you miscalculated the distance to your destination.” His voice dripped with disapproval. 

“There’s no need for that.” I countered. “I should be going, it’s getting late,” I said quickly. 

What was it with this man? Must he always intrude? He would only end up making things worse for me. He seemed thoroughly displeased by my choice of words but I couldn’t continue this conversation anymore.

“I beg to differ. There’s a need for me to talk to your mom. I’m not completely unaware of how she treats you. I know you’re covering up for her but I won’t accept any more injustice to be meted out to you.” He stamped his right foot on the muddy ground causing some of the particles to bounce to the tip of his trousers, then he paused his lip in a thin line seemingly oblivious to the stain he’d succeeded in creating. 

I frowned in as much as I was stunned that he’d been that observant. I couldn’t let him talk to my mom though, It would simply aggravate the situation. 

“You’re wrong. No form of injustice has been meted on me. Please don’t tell my mom anything. I really have to go. Bye.” This time, I walked away.

I imagined he was shaking his head and muttering under his breath. I ignored the urge to turn back to find out if my assumptions were indeed correct. There’s no need for that. I was mildly annoyed at the way he offered to talk to my mom like I had complained to him. Anyway, some people were just weird. I didn’t really care if his intentions were borne out of the need to protect and help me out, it was a bad omen for me.

My mom would practically make my life worse than I had it and will go about telling people that I was slandering her name. I felt the sharp sting of a mosquito bite below my left knee causing me to use my right toe to itch the offending spot. I almost fell down before I righted myself, having bumped my feet on a stone at that same time. I didn’t bother slowing down though, I moved as if nothing happened.

I quickened my steps a bit, careful not to rest on my ankles. Soon enough, I found myself looking at the black gate that barred non-residents from entering into the estate. I was grateful I didn’t come in contact with more of my family friends. I didn’t want more interrogations, all I wanted more than ever was to flop down on Joyce mattress. 

I could see three security men manning the gate from their security block. One was already looking at me curiously, I guess he was wondering if I was a threat or not. Well, I wasn’t. I pushed myself forward, stopping at the spot.

“Good evening,” I mumbled.

Three sets of brown eyes looked at me. The one that had been looking at me and the other two, whom I recognized instantly. The latter's eyes lit up in recognition. All were cleanly shaven and neat, considering the time.

“Ada Ada...The finest girl in the world.” The two familiar security men hailed me. 

I blushed a bit like I always do. I instantly knew that I made the right decision to come over to this place. I smiled softly, acknowledging their praises. The observing officer

“Thank you but I doubt that. Is Joyce at home?” I queried. 

They always knew who was home or not due to the card that was stacked on the wall, that prompted one to sign and also the CCTV hooked discretely by the gate. It was all for security reasons but Joyce swore it’s like living in prison.

“Yes. She informed me this morning that you were going to come around and I should let you in pronto.” Officer Adeoti informed me.

I shook my head slightly as a smile graced my lips. 

“Are you sure this girl is being expected?” The observing officer spoke in a rather condescending manner like I was a riff-raff or something. 

“I'm sure. You can enter now.” Officer Adeoti said firmly.

I was vaguely aware that an officer who was standing at the other side of the gate, opened

I signed on the card as was expected of me and stepped into the most beautiful estate I’ve ever seen, not that I have seen too many estates. I know I’m going to exaggerate here but it’s like the pain momentarily vanished leaving in its wake, anticipation. 

I took my time looking around the estate. I always do this each and every time I came visiting Joyce. It was too spectacular, not to take a minute or two to admire the arena. I noticed they’d planted more species of botanical shrubs at both sides of the estate. This served to build an aura around the area, an aura of beautiful colours that were kept in their top-notch condition. No matter...