CHAPTER 40: A NEW CHAPTER
My mother has always told me of how important it was for me to move on no matter the odds. When my father left for Libya half a decade ago, she said we must move on. When he died, she reiterated the same principle and today, I am pondering on the same words of encouragement. Last night, my mother made me understand that I must move on no matter the outcome of the demolition investigation. Ever since I began getting clues to the case, I have been burning with the desire to unravel this mystery and bring the cabal to book. If only my mother knew that the book she recently bought for me, "The trial of Dedan Kimathi has been such a big influence on my hunger for vengeance. But, she is right. No matter the outcome, I must move on. I have a college or University certificate to earn. I have a mother to assist, siblings to cater for and God knows I so much want to take my family out of London which to an extent is becoming a shit hole. Mr. Chinedu fel
Why did Razzi visit Fettys's home.
My mother sat up too. At that moment, there were lots of thoughts racing through my mind. Had Razzi discovered we were on his trail? Had Peter spoken to him? "Why was he here mother? " I asked burning with anxiety. "He came to see his son and unfortunately couldn't meet him. " she replied. "When he walked into the compound, " she began. "I wanted to scream at his face, I wanted to call him a murderer, a thief and selfish man. " she said. "I know Mother. I know how it feels. " I replied. Of course I am familiar with that feeling. The feeling of watching your tormentors roam freely. The feeling of co-habiting with the people who took your father's life. The feeling of helplessness. I know that feeling. "While coming out of his son's room, we collided. He said to me You live in this compound? I never knew. " said my mother. "Such a lie. " I retorted. "The same compound he sent goons to murder your father. " she said. "Their cup of treachery and evil shall be filled up. It shall o
"So tell me about yourself began Dr. Amrah after showing us the empty seats in her office. "His name is Peter. Peter Razzi. He's a new tenant in my compound. He's on his internship program at the construction site. " I replied as if the question was directed at me. "Wow you seem to know much about him. " said Dr. Amrah. "I thought as much." replied Peter. I smiled. "Happy Birthday Fetty. " said Dr. Amrah. I opened my mouth in astonishment and said"you knew? " "The first time we had our session, I asked about your age. " she began. "And I told you I was sixteen and will be seventeen on 23rd November. " I answered recollecting the conversation I had with her few months back. "You are amazing Fetty. Keep being you. " added Dr. Amrah. "You'll just make her head swell and explode. " said Peter. "Let's get going. " I announced. "So soon? " asked Peter. "Well this is a hospital and Dr. Amrah has patients to attend to. " I maintained. "I see. " he replied and stood up. "I have somethi
The day of the town hall meeting came. I was fully dressed in my African Ankara gown which covered the sole of my feet. I covered my hair with a veil and wore my favorite flat shoes on. I was nervous, excited and hopeful. My mother came from behind sprinkling water all over me. "What's that for? " I screamed while dodging the water droplets. "It's holy water. From church. Blessed by the Reverend. " she said. ", Okay you should have told me and given me some to minister to myself rather than raining on me. " I said while laughing. 'You need to be fortified. " she said about to resume the sprinkling. I smiled and told her "This is no spiritual battle. " "We can't take chances. " she maintained. "There's evil around here and who knows they might be there. " she added. I quickly left the room before she could soak my apparel. "Are You ready? " I said while knocking on Peter's door. "Almost. " he replied. "Am putting my shoes on. What's the time? " he asked from the inside. "Twenty minut
I abandoned the firewood and ran all the way to Layo's house. By the time I got there, I was panting heavily and sweating all over. "Fetty you are here. " announced Layo's mother. "Yes ma. " I replied panting heavily and scanning the compound with my eyes soughting for Layo. "He is inside. " replied his mother. "Is he sick? " I asked while entering the living room. Layo was in their bedroom, lying on their huge bed with his face on the bed just like I did earlier. He was weeping. "Hey buddy. " I said placing my hand on his back. He said nothing but kept sobbing. "If you won't tell me about it then I'll just have to leave. " I said. "Go away. " he replied in tears. "I just want to be alone. " he added. "He has been like that since he came back from the computer center this morning. " said his mother who just walked into the living room. "It's past 12pm and he hasn't eaten anything yet. " she added. "Did he tell you anything? " I said to her. "No. He just got in very mo
The next morning, I couldn't wait for the day to break so I could hurry to Layo's house and announce the good news to him. Last night on phone with Mr. Chinedu, he revealed to me that It was possible for Layo to go to the University this year. According to him, there is a Pre_degree program which runs for a year at the University and after the students undertaking the program pass their pre- degree examination, they'll proceed to year one. Mr. Chinedu told me that he was aware of Layo's condition so he can help him secure a Pre_degree spot at the state University. He maintained that his friend is the registra of the University. I couldn't contain my excitement as I roll from one edge of the mat to another last night. My morning chore was already done. Tami and Kiki had gone to school while my mother had departed to the bar. I huried to Layo's house the moment I was done having my breakfast. "Good morning ma. " I said greeting Layo's mother who was arranging the fresh
Layo and I were shocked at Peter's sudden outburst. "What is wrong with him? " asked Peter. "Shut up. " I screamed at him. "So what are we going to tell Nancy? " asked Layo. His incessant questions were beginning to irritate me now. "Yea I heard he has bipolar "? whispered a customer by the other end of the restaurant. "Razzi's son. " right? asked another fellow. "What's bipolar? " the other customer yelled drawing everyone's attention to him. "His head engine has knocked off. " replied a young man. They all began laughing out. I got pissed the more over their mockery. Before I could come to terms with what was going on, Layo was already by the corner talking to Nancy in low tunes. I saw her tap his shoulder and he nodded. "Let's go. " announced Layo. "The girls will clear the place up. " he added. "And the bills and damage? " I asked. "It's been sorted. Huryy let's go find that psycho. " said Layo while hurrying out. I went out hurriedly after him,
As Peter approached me, I began to sweat all over. My chair suddenly became uncomfortable and my eyes kept rolling around. I was tensed and my restlessness was obvious. "Are You okay Fetty? " asked a customer. I said nothing, then Peter finally arrived. I couldn't bring myself to look at him. "Let me get you a seat. " I said getting up. "I always help myself around here. " he replied while dragging a plastic chair by the corner. "You need water? " I further asked. "Are You tensed? " he retorted. "No. " I quickly replied breathing heavily. "Okay so relax then. " he said with a smile. I smiled back awkwardly. We said nothing for like a minute till Peter finally broke the silence. "I am very sorry for my violent behavior at the restaurant this afternoon. " he began in a low tune. The customers around were chatting and laughing, minding their business, their attention far from us. "I should have controlled myself. I was at Nancy's this evening. . I apologized to her and we are cool. " h
I went inside our room feeling angry to a latge. extent. I know that Julia was Peter's girlfriend and could see him anytime she wishes, Infact he knew her before I then why does this bother me. My mother, Kiki and Tami were already fast asleep. It was harmmatan season and it's always cold and foggy these days. I took off my clothes, grabbed a towel and dashed out to bathe. While fetching water from our water drum into the bucket outside, I couldn't help but listened to the chuckles and laughter coming out of Peter's room. Had they made up? I thought. I hurriedly took my bath, came inside and struggled to fall asleep. I tossed from one end of the mat to the other till I realized I just hit Kiki. I couldn't help but imagine Peter and Julia in the room together, talking, reconciling, probably on the same bed. I shoved the thoughts away and began to sleep before my phone vibrated. I just got a text mesage from Layo. He wants me to accompany him to Mr. Chinedu's offi
CHAPTER 60: DAWN Peter and I danced and had fun. He got us some soft drinks and we enjoyed the event till day break. We talked about lots of things enjoying each others company till it was time to leave. Peter will spend the new year with his grandmother so he left London that morning. My mother fried some sweet potatoes known as potatoe chips and complemented it with a meat sauce. According to her, the new year will usher us into bountiful yeilds. We sat on the mat in our room. My mother, Osifa, K**i, Tami and I formed a circle while we ate the delicious potato chips and sauce. While we ate, we joked, laughed and drank the soft drinks my mother had kept for us in her fridge at the bar which made them cold. After our new year breakfast, our mother went to the bar while we began packing. We will be going to our village the next day. What a way to begin the new year? I thought. We have contacted Uncle Awang earlier notifying him of our desire to grace the village and he assure
CHAPTER 59: NEW YEAR Dr. Amrah was gone and the Christmas day ended in bliss and sadness. I can’t deny the fact that I am going to miss her a lot, however I could call or text her whenever I wanted to and she promised to also keep in touch. Tonight being the 29th of December unable to fall asleep by 1am, my mother and I sat on the mat in our room reviewing how the year had been so far. In this year, I lost my father just when he had returned to us. In the same year, I made acquaintances, learnt a lot of lessons and saved the community from the ills of the demolition. My mother’s bar had recently been progressing and the peace she made with her family is enough to declare the entire year a blessing. “Fetty we have been through a lot this year” began my mother. “And we achieved a lot too.” I said. She nodded. ‘Previous years were worse.” She said. I nodded in affirmation. Our lives had improved and was way better than it used to. In a place that seems like a
Christmas in London rings a bell. Despite the poverty that roams around like a wild fire, the people here make Christmas the memorable event that it is. Around the month of October and November, people troop into the town to purchase Christmas foodstuffs and clothes for their children. A child without new clothes on Christmas day will definitely feel out of place so parents place all hands on deck and ensure they save up for the annual event. On Christmas day, there is an exchange of food among neighbors. For instance, my mother cooks and gives to T.K and Mama Funke while they too give us. Such is the tradition. Food and drinks are shared among people celebrating the birth of Christ with love. The children roam around from one house to the other carrying out a ritual which is “Christmas dash” whereby people hand out sweets, gifts or money to the children who knock on their door for Christmas dash just like halloween. At night, teenage boys blow knockout an
I woke up feeling anxious. It is the day of the final Secondary school examination. I have been studying for a long time and today, the hour has come. Yesterday, I had ironed my school uniform and gotten new pairs of stockings. I was ready but somehow anxious. "You'll be fine. " assured my mother after she must have noticed how tensed I was. I heaved a sigh and nodded then dashed to the kitchen to make breakfast. According to the examination time table, my first paper will commence at exactly 9am. Three days ago, Layo and I spoke and he kept apologizing. I knew tears were flowing down his cheeks they way they did through mine. He told me how far away he was from London, how many villages and towns he passed to get to the state university and how developed the buildings there were. He also told me of how Peter had connected him with a guy that will help him sort things while he is there. We ended the call after he wished me the best in my forthcoming
I hurried out of the library without signing out. I kept dialing Layo's number but it was unreachable so I took the route to his house. I met his mother cooking inside their compound. "Good morning Ma. " I greeted her panting heavily after a long trek. "Morning my child. " she replied offering me a stool. I sat and said "Where is Layo? " "He is gone. " she immediately replied with her eyes on the firewood that was burning with her cooking pot on it. "I don't understand. He texted me that he left. Left to where? " I asked in a confused tone. "School. " she replied looking at me. "Wait. Layo left for school without telling me? No that's a mistake. " I said confidently. "I pleaded with him to tell you but he said it would better if he didn't. He felt the pain of you guys departing will be less if you are unaware he is leaving. " she said. "Is he crazy? " I yelled. "Why would he take such a decision? " I added with my eyes welling with tears. "I am deeply sorry Fett
When I got home, I entered our room after throwing off my heels by the door. I saw my mother sitting up on the bed reading the holy bible. Tami and K**i were already far away in dream land. "You are back. " she said. I nodded without uttering a word then went further to take off my dress. "So tell me how your day went. " said my mother. "Fine. " I replied rolling my hair up with the aim of putting a hair net on. "That's a lie. " she said. "If it went well as you alleged, you would have filled my ear drums with news about the event, the dresses people wore, those who had ugly make ups on and the rich fried rice. " she added. I changed into my night wear and sat on the mat. "It was a disaster. " I began. "Really? Tell me about it. " my mother said. "I don't even know how to start this. The thing is, people fought and it was over me. " I revealed with my head lowered feeling awkward. My mother laughed then said "You still didn't tell me what happened. Start from the top.
Peter drove us to the Greenland open arena and he parked his car where the staff in the brothel park theirs. He was a VIP after all since his father owns the damn brothel. Julia quickly got down from the car and Peter hurried after her. Emjay went to collect a seat number from the ushers around while Layo and I stood waiting for directions. If we were there alone we would have gone to the ushers, gotten our seat numbers and sat awaiting the opening of the grand event. "Madam Fetty. " began Layo in a shrill voice. "Oh boy! " I mumbled knowing he was up to something. "You just made one girl jealous you know? " he said. "I don't know what you are saying. " I replied adjusting my hair which laid on my back. "But I like the arena you know? The car arena. You should have seen her face when Peter said you looked perfect." said Layo who moved very closer to me. "Shut up. " I replied. "Seat 21" said Emjay while walking towards us. "Look Peter is calling us from the
They say London has a way of pleasing everybody. It suits the wild and the calm. The Greenland dinner is an annual event just like the annual ghetto fiesta. However, this event is more calm, a bit sensitive and kind of boring as others say. It is an event where young men and women dress in fine apparels like suits and gowns then spend the night eating, talking and meeting people. Unlike the annual Ghetto fiesta that houses people from different age groups, this event is for the teens and youths. Two weeks to every Christmas, the events takes place. During every event that I have attended so far, Layo had always been my date. We've been barely spectators so we purchase the tickets which was very affordable because according to Razzi, it was his way of appreciating the youths in the community so the tickets are afforadable then we dress up, have the sumptuous dinner of fried rice and chicken and watch the event till it ends. During the event, there is jazz playing, a piano man played
I hurried home after Emjay told me he was around our compound. It's been seven months since we last saw each other and hadn't spoken ever since. He never called so did I. He went to study abroad so why was he back? I thought. I had imagined he would take four years to study and come home maybe once a year. Judging by his excitement months earlier, I never thought he could return this early. When I got home, Emajay was seated on the bench outside our door. There he was. Same old Emjay. Nothing has changed about him. He still looked the same. In fact, he got darker. Normally, my heartbeat would quicken at the sight of him but here I was feeling normal. "Hey! " I said hurrying towards him. I sat close to him on the bench and he greeted me with his warm smile. "You are here. " I said. "Yea, av been in London neighborhood for two days now just that I didn't get out till now. " he said staring at me. "Oh really! " I said. "He nodded, lowered his said and said nothing. "So how is sch