CHAPTER TWO: A FRESH START

Chapter Two

Anuri decided to make the best of her life. True, her friend's betrayal had made her wary of many people. But she counselled herself to be free minded and not paranoid. She just had to be more careful with people. She went through her secretarial books and attached herself to a business center in the village where she brushed her computer skills. She nurtured the hope of getting a secretarial job in a flourishing firm soonest. 

 Six weeks after her return, Pa Joshua's first son, James offered to assist Anuri. He told her to join him and his family at their Aba residence. He promised to help her find a job. She was happy at this offer and was willing to leave. It would be better for her. She remembered James' wife and her heart almost stilled. James' wife, Ogadinma was not a hospitable woman. She knew from experience. Infact, the woman disliked associating with her husband's relatives for reasons best known to her. Anuri wondered if it was advisable to go with James. A woman is the homemaker. If she were antagonistic life would surely be difficult for the visitors, she ruminated. But it is important that I leave the village for the city. Better opportunities await me there, she continued. She adjusted her pillow battling with the idea. I should be able to endure aunty Ogadi's hostility. It would not be forever. I'll go with Brother James. With this decision, she was able to sleep soundly that night. 

 The following day, which was Monday, Anuri got up early. She was leaving with James that morning for Aba. She had a warm bath and began to dress up. Anuri noted with gladness that the shadows beneath her eyes were fast disappearing and she was adding some weight. Her real colour was resurfacing, likewise her beauty. She was thankful to God that she was able to shed the skin of her hard years. Thanks also to Pa Joshua's wife who had cared for her immensely. Concluding her dressing, Anuri surveyed herself in the mirror. She was truly becoming.

 She was clad in a new floral green gown, which blended nicely with her colour. Pa Joshua's wife had given her some money weeks back. She had decided to buy some few clothes. Really, she could not wear her old clothes especially those she had packed for that ill-fated journey. They reminded her the past and she did not want such reminiscences. 

 Udochukwu came into the room. She was a beautiful, dark complexioned eighteen-year old girl. She was well attuned to Anuri.  Subsiding on the bed, she appraised her cousin. 'Ah, you are almost set.’

 Anuri turned to face her. 'Yes, how do l look?’

 Udochukwu shook her head smiling. 'You are beautiful, quite spectacular.’

 'Thank you,’ Anuri replied with flourish sitting on the bed. A glance at the wall clock told her it was 6:30 am. 'Is Brother James ready?’

 'No, he's still bathing. You will eat before leaving, won't you?’

 'I'll eat a little and have my glass of honeyed water.'  'I have already set everything on the dinning table.' 

 ‘It's alright. But I'll wait for Brother James.’

 An hour later, James and Anuri were ready to leave. Pa Joshua and his wife embraced her in turns, giving her advice, 'take everything easy when you get there, mmh?' Chinma patted her arm.

 Anuri nodded smiling back. 'Thank you very much, ma. I'll remain ever grateful to you and papa.’

 'Don't mention. If you need anything from us, don't hesitate to tell us,' Pa Joshua told her.

 Anuri embraced Udochukwu warmly before entering the 504 Peugeot saloon. Her other relatives came out and bid her good-bye. James took his place at the wheel and started the ignition.

 Pa Joshua cautioned stepping back, 'drive carefully James.'  

 'I will,' James smiled reversing his car expertly. With final goodbyes, he drove from the compound.

 The drive to Aba was smooth. Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the Osisioma junction, Aba. From there, he drove towards Aba/Owerri road. Anuri was virtually a stranger to the town. She gazed out through the glass window, observing her surrounding. She saw school children in their neat uniforms waiting for buses. Some were in their parents' company while some were on their own. Some were in their parents' cars cruising to school. She noted workers coming out of their houses and lining up on the road waiting for the right buses. Shops were opened and wares displayed. The weather was clear although a bit cold. With a jolt, Anuri realized that James was driving into a busy street. Minutes later, he drove into a compound bearing a three-storey building.

 'Yaal' James exhaled as he brought the car to a halt before the building.'  Anyi eru o la. Here is my residence.’

 Anuri nodded appreciatively. She opened her door as James did the same. He went to the car booth. She followed him. ‘You know, I'll be going to work any moment from now. I'll reintroduce you to my family and then leave for work.' He opened the booth.

 It's okay.' she pulled out her suitcase and made to bring out the food stuffs which James's mother had packed in for them. But James restrained her.

 'No, leave, them. Christopher will bring them in.' 

 'Alright.' She stepped back, picking up her suitcase. Anuri was a bit apprehensive. She just prayed James' wife would be tolerable. The woman was not openly antagonistic but it was there. Any relative of her husband could feel it.

 James led her up the stairs to the top most floor. His flat was on the right. He pressed the door bell shrilly, waiting patiently. He thought monetarily about his wife. She had objected to his bringing Anuri to their house. She could have been guilty of that crime and as well still bad. She did not want to reason objectively. He, James had stood his ground. He must help his orphaned cousin. He was certain that if Anuri had been his sister in-law, his wife would not have hesitated to assist her. Some women! James thought in exasperation.

 A boy presently, opened the door. He was about fourteen years old. 'Good morning sir,' he greeted stepping back.

 'Good morning, Christopher.' James moved in and beckoned Anuri into the living room.

 She stood gazing round the parlour, taking in the moderate furnishing. The upholstered seats were deep red, set facing the well-designed silvery shelf. Blue and red floral tiles adorned the floor adding to the beauty. The shelf contained a medium sized television, a video compact disc, worthy books and China wares. In fact, the over all effect was nice.

 James had left the living room. Anuri heard some children's voices shouting, 'daddy, daddy welcome!’

 Few minutes, James returned to the parlour with his three beautiful kids, two boys and a girl. When they saw her, they quieted. They gazed at her curiously.

 'Hello… Come closer!' he urged them warmly.    

 Their eyes dancing with curiosity, they greeted politely, 'aunty, good morning.’

 'Good morning, how are you?’

 'We are fine.’

 Anuri pulled the first one closer. 'Samson, how you have grown! I hardly recognized you!'  She patted the eight year old on the cheek and swept her arm around the other two. She asked the other two their names, which prison years had blotted from her memory especially that of James' second son. They told her and she nodded with pleasure. James left them to attend to other issues.

 Just then, his wife came into the living room. She was of average height, a bit fair complexioned and pretty. Ogadinma was in her mid thirties. Presently, she wore a black lace outfit.

 Anuri stood up at her ingress. 'Good morning, aunty,'  she smiled. 

 'Good morning, Anuri. You are welcome.’

 'Thank you. How have you been, aunty?' she asked with genuine warmth.

 'Fine.’

 That was all Anuri got from her aunty-in-law, a single word response. There was no enquiry after her health nor her well being. Her coming back from the prison not withstanding. James' wife had not come to the village to see her, never even greeted her from a distance. The woman was cold but shrewd to veil it with smiles.

 Ogadinma cast a reproving gaze at her eldest son. 'Samson, will you go and tidy your bedroom. I wonder whom you expect to do it. And you two, join him,' she ordered.

 The children scurried away chattering loudly. She gazed at Anuri patronizingly. 'Come with me, I'll show you to your room.’

 Anuri lifted her suitcase and followed her. She was led into a sparsely furnished bedroom. It was the guestroom.

 'Make yourself comfortable here. A few minutes from now, I'll leave with my husband for work. I guess you will search for a job while you are here.’

 'Yes. You now teach in secondary school.' 

 'Yes, I do. I'm almost late for school. I'm going.' She left.

 ‘Bye bye,' Anuri called after her.

 'Bye.’

 Anuri let out a slow shuddering breath and lowered herself on the bed. Intuitively, she knew she would not stay long in James' house. His wife's reception of her had confirmed it. And Naturally, she hoped to be independent soonest. If not for her prison sentence, she would not have been at this level. Aunt Ogadi…She did not even ask after my well being. She knows my predicament, yet she did not ask. Well… I won't bother about such things. She lifted her suitcase into the bed.

 James came into the room. 'Anuri, we are off to work. If you need anything, Christopher will get it for you. We will be back later in the day. Take care.’

 'Alright, goodbye.’

 'Goodbye.’

 Anuri unpacked her case, bringing out her few belongings. The most important things to her were her  certificates. When she had hung her clothes in the wardrobe and tidied her things, she left the room.

 In the parlour, she found Christopher dusting the furniture. When he realized her presence, he straightened up. 'So you are Oga's relative?' He did not hide his curiousity 

 'Yes, I'm his cousin.’

 'You are welcome.’

 'Thank you.' She moved around the room idly.

 'You will be staying with us?’

 'Yes, for a while.’

 'Please, don't vex because of my too many questions,' the boy said seriously. 'Are you the relative back from the prison?’

 Anuri gazed at him for a while, slightly amused despite the inappropriateness of his questions. Wasn't he too inquisitive? She just nodded.

 The boy shook his head in pity.  'Oh, sorry o!’

 'It's alright now,' she said. 'It's all by the way and don't pity me, okay?’

 He nodded dumbly. 'But…but you don't seem like someone from the prison.’

 Anuri only smiled. She decided not to encourage him by saying any thing more. She wondered how long it would take her to find a new job. James had promised to help her. She could not just sit at home every day, doing nothing substantial. There must be a way out, she reasoned. An idea occurred to her. She could buy some newspapers and check the vacancy columns. She looked in Christopher's direction and called his attention.  ‘Nna, Do you know where I can buy some newspapers? I want to find out something.’

 He paused for a while. 'Yes, I think near Umungasi junction, some vendors hawk newspapers. In fact, they move along that road till evening. I can go and buy some for you,' he volunteered.

 'Good, that would be better because I'm not familiar with the road yet. Do you have an idea how much a newspaper costs now?’

 'Mm… I don't know really. But I think it's around N120.00.’

 'Okay.’

 'Let me finish with my work then I will go.’

 'Good.’

 Later, Anuri gave Christopher N400 for two or three different newspapers. She gave him the names of the ones she wanted. Twenty minutes later, he returned with three daily papers.

 She received them gratefully. 'Thank you. How much?' 

 'N120 each.’

 'Alright.’

 She went through the vacancy columns. To her chagrin, she noted that all the vacancies were either in Lagos or in Abuja, in Port Harcourt or in Kaduna. There was none in Aba. She kept them aside momentarily down cast.

 As days went by, the longing for a job increased in Anuri. She continued to re-accustom herself with her secretarial studies. She was hopeful to secure a good job within the shortest possible time.

 Anuri came to understand that James' wife did not want her in her house. The worst aspect of it all was that the woman avoided her as if she was a … plague. She could not comprehend why. Whenever she offered to help in the kitchen, James' wife always refused with an emphatic 'don't bother’. She had offered to shred ugu for her one afternoon but she refused. The only housework she let her do was, sweeping the house. She came to realize that James' wife always dished her- Anuri's meals in two particular plates, with a particular spoon. This realization had piqued her but she had controlled her emotion. Why? Why was she treating her thus? Was she, Anuri leprous? She also realized that the woman did not approve of her carrying her kids. When this dawned on her, she stopped carrying them. There must be a reason behind her behaviour. However, Anuri endured it all. Had she not endured worse things? The moment she got a reasonable job and money, she would leave her for good.

 A month after, James found Anuri a job. It was a secretarial post in a thriving printing press. He broke the news to her on Friday night around eight o'clock. Anuri was overjoyed. 'When will I start?' she asked eagerly.

 'You will start on Monday. They want a secretary urgently.’

 'Ah, good, today is Friday. I will use the weekend to prepare,' she gushed happily. 'I'm grateful, Brother James.  Imeela.’

 He rested his head on the seat base. 'We thank the Almighty. It was actually a friend of mine who helped me secure the job for you.’

 On Monday, Anuri woke up early and took a warm bath. She dressed formally in a deep red suit. She had weaved her hair on Saturday, so it was alright. She slipped her feet into a pair of black formal shoes and gazed at herself in the mirror. She was beautiful and smart. She donned her handbag and left her room.

 She joined James and his family at the dinning table. Since Ogadinma did not want her in her kitchen, she no longer offered to help again. She greeted them airily, taking her seat.

 James looked at her smiling. 'I can see you are ready for work.’

 'Yes.' She glowed.

 When does this firm close for the day? his wife asked.

 'I think around 5.00pm,' she replied quietly.     

 Ogadinma helped herself to the sliced bread available. 'I see. It's a good think that you have got a job at last. Now, you can take good care of yourself.’

 Anuri did not utter a word. She poured tea for herself noting the particular cup and spoon she had been given again. At the end of the meal, everyone got up including the children.

 The children quipped, 'mummy, thank you! Daddy, thank you!’

 'Thank you.’

 'Aunty Anuri, thank you,' Samson said to her.

 She smiled at him. 'Thank you.’

 As they prepared to leave, James called her aside. He brought out some money from his breast pocket giving it to her. 'Your firm is way out of my route. Take this money for transportation.’

 She took the money gratefully. 'Thank you.’

 Anuri arrived Joe Printing Press around 7:30am. The October morning was clear and the air salubrious. It had not rained for some weeks now and that accounted for the clement weather. Anuri was particularly happy about this job. A job that will pave the way to her independence. She reported to the managing director's office at once. Her boss was a middle-aged man, dark in complexion and bald headed. He was respectable, serious and dedicated to his work. She showed Anuri the areas of activity she was involved in, expressing his love for efficiency and precision. The day's work began.

 Anuri experienced life at a printing press. She saw customers move in and out of the director's office. She saw other workers busy with the printing, folding and stitching of books. It was an interesting world of its own. She did her duties the best way she could, learning every day. She became friendly but cautious with her colleagues.

 When she received her remuneration at the month end, she was glad. On Saturday, she bought some provisions for James' family. She also bought beautiful toys for his children. At home, she found James' wife cooking in the kitchen with Christopher assisting her. She greeted her, moving into the kitchen.

 The older woman glanced at her briefly. 'Ehe, Anuri, welcome.' She continued to turn her simmering soup.

 'I bought these for you.' Anuri told her setting the bag of goodies on the kitchen, table.

 'What are those?' She looked at her.

  'Provisions.’

 With a slight nod, Ogadinma returned her gaze to the soup.

 Anuri left quietly. She found the children watching television in the living room.  Child likely they bid her welcome.

 'Ehe, Samson, come and have what I bought for you.' The children were around her in a second eager to see what she had for them. Anuri gave each of them a present. Samson got a toy police jeep, which moved about, its siren blaring. Chisom got a toy tractor while Blessing, the four year old girl got a very beautiful dolly. How excited the kids were.

 They chanted happily, 'thank you, aunty, thank you.' 

 Happy that they liked the gifts, she smiled back at them. They ran towards the kitchen shouting, ‘mummy! Mummy, see!’

 Naturally, Anuri expected James' wife to thank her for the gifts. But it was not to be. The woman did not even acknowledge the gifts much less thank her Anuri. She was quite taken aback, could not comprehend why the other woman behaved so queerly. She shrugged it aside with the thought that human beings were varied. But James was the opposite. When he saw the gifts in the evening, he was pleased. His children surrounded him with shining eyes as he looked at the new gifts. 'Wow, these are nice. Anuri has done noble.’

 Four months passed in this manner. No matter what she did, James' wife would not appreciate it. She learnt to ignore the woman's shortcomings and made herself happy. She visited Pa Joshua and his family from time to time, taking gifts with her. They were always happy to have her. However, Anuri was careful not to mention Ogadinma's behaviour to them. It would not last forever.

 Anuri still had nightmares about her past, her detention, the rape and prison events. She would wake up in the mid night with a cry, her whole body drenched in sweat. 'Help me, God…help me...' She would sob helplessly, breathing heavily. When would the past stop replaying itself in her dreams? When? It may take time considering the pain still in her heart.

 Anuri had fought to forget completely but it was impossible. The memory was still green but she was learning to cope with it. She must cope. There was no other option. Because of her experiences, she avoided intimacy with men. She could not bring herself to accept any of the many men attracted to her. She just could not afford it. More so, no tenderness, no attraction did she experience in connection with any of them. However, Anuri wondered with a momentary fear if she was becoming frigid. Frigidity was unnatural. Well… All she knew was that she would avoid any circumstance that could lead to having a relationship with a man, which may lead to sex. The three-letter word had the power to destabilize her stability.