Towards National Transformation by Daniel .C. Chigbue

Subsidy removal 4 by Zara Iko

Fear gripped Edo and Bassey as they watched their mama push her frail frame out of the house with Papa beside her equally distraught. It was Deja vu for the Issongs’. Even Ini as young as she was when Ema passed knew how deeply the pain stung and seeing the way her folks took off and the demeanour of her brothers, that same horrible feeling four years ago swirled back through her, squeezing her heart that she burst out crying, "Effiong is dead.” Edo rushed to her, placed his palm on her mouth, "don't say that” he said "Our Creator won’t be that unjust. Ema has been taken away from us; I don't think he would let Effiong be taken too." She looked up at him, his eyes were teary and his hand on her mouth was shaking. Even he too was afraid. "Stop crying, Effiong is alright,” Edo said assuredly. “We will find him," then he embraced her.
Ignoring that it was a school day; the trio secured the house and plodded the path they knew Effiong took every day to the restaurant and back home. The sun was yet to rise but their street was already busy with Motorists queuing up to buy fuel, what many now called “liquid gold”. The petrol scarcity lingered, though the Government had warned citizens not to panic buy assuring them of the availability of the product, yet, petrol stations hoarded the product claiming the price instability affected their profits and caused them to run at a loss, so they weren’t stocking up. Many of the buyers were irritated because they believed petrol stations had petrol but used artificial scarcity to hike prices so they could make more profit. The trio passed by the motorists hardly noticing the brawl between some motorist and tempers flaring among others who were guarding their space in the queue from those that wanted to shunt in. Their senses were attuned to only anyone that looked or sounded like Effiong. “Look out for mama and papa too,” Bassey said to his siblings.
Mama and Papa were far ahead of the trio, they believed if there was a raid that involved the exchange of gunshots in the slum, certainly it would involve Mando and his gang. What was baffling Mama was as hard as Effiong had to work in the restaurant what time did he have to befriend these boys. "May have been the reason he didn't want to go to the university. “Oh, why did we give him the year off?" Mama thought. “Hmmm” she sighed “Let it be that Effiong has only run away from home.”
Alas, they arrived at Mando’s Den; it looked like an abattoir. Tiny pieces of meat splattered on the floor. The smell of blood and gunpowder lingered in the air. Because it rained heavily the previous night, there were puddles of bloody water gathered on the floor, good thing there were no bodies. However, the sight they met broke down any resolve they had of finding Effiong alive.
Groups of people made up of business owners who had been oppressed by the notorious group, passers-by, and some idle youths were already gathered there chanting victory songs. Papa and Mama appeared to be the only ones mourning; if the situation was different, they may have been among those rejoicing. Nevertheless, they were the odd ones out; it was either those rejoicing or those who just watched those rejoicing. Soon, a group of young men realised their oddness, after talking amongst themselves, they approached the Issongs. "One of the dead must be yours; hence you are disrupting our celebration with your crying,” a boy not older than twenty hassled them. “We choose to continue with the momentum set by the police by clearing off any more criminals. Being that you gave birth to one means that you are one- it is a common saying that the child of a goat must be a goat” a voice spoke from behind. The person speaking emerged, and sure, he was the leader of the pack. He took off his shirt and left on his khaki shorts. He was a short, muscular man in his late twenties. Mama and papa were taller than him but his stocky frame, coarse face and husky voice intimidated them. “Yeah!” His supporters agreed. He grabbed Papa and Mama by the neck and whispered to them "I will make an example of you two. Then he announced, "We are roasting this meat”. The rest of the pack cheered and swung into action. While some pushed the crowd backward to create space a few of them ran into corners. Mama and papa received heavy blows on their heads that sent them to their knees. Two boys emerged from a corner each holding a tire racing toward them. The tires were forced down their shoulders to their stomachs wringing in their hands. A third boy emerged with a jerrican of petrol sprinting towards them. Unable to stand back and watch the horrors unfolding a few people from the crowd pushed through the human wall formed by the gang, but were stopped by bars of iron jamming into their skulls, knocking them unconscious, this sent fear to the rest who dared to perform any act of bravery. The boy emptied the jerrican on them and stepped back. "Lighter, matches" the mob commander screamed, "Anything to light them up," hyped by the adrenaline pumping in his body. “Pass me a lighter” He screamed again impatiently before dipping his hand into his pocket and pulling out a lighter. “Aha!” He exclaimed, and then he laughed wryly. “Any last words,” he asked, but Mama and papa didn’t respond. They had already accepted their fate as soon as they received the first blow. It was time to stop fighting, not that they were tired of fighting. If they had the chance they would go on, they had three other children to fend for but they had no more strength to fight a battle they knew they couldn’t win. Irritated by their silence Meska kicked them one after the other in the chest and they landed with their backs on the wet ground, wincing in pain. Then he lit the lighter; at the instance, a gunshot sounded. Meska staggered backward and fell on his back. Two Vans screeched to a halt, the first one belonged to the police and the second to the environmental sanitation department, there to clean up the human remains on the street. The rest of the gang members snapped back to reality from the trance of seeing their leader fall down flat cheaply to one bullet, then they scrambled away, clearing their way with the weapons they held.
The horror show was over and thankfully Mama and papa survived, barely though. The two were already seeing heaven, they didn’t realise they had been saved. The crowd dispersed quickly, especially the youths, because they didn’t want to deal with the police. Majority of youths in the slum had experienced police brutality and many times based on false accusation. Some business owners and a few sympathisers joined the police to help put the Issongs and the others injured in the police van. “We couldn’t do anything, we just watched helplessly” A woman complained to the police as they watch the van speed off to the emergency unit, blaring its siren. “It’s just gone from the reign of one terror group to another,” a man said, “they seem to be more ruthless than the other gang.”
“I’m inspector Ayo and I would like for you all to come with me to the station for your statements”.
“No, I don’t want to give any statement at the station, you people have too much drama” An elderly woman who owned a food kiosk, Madam Nanchat said.
“Please come with us, It will only take a minute, your statement will be very crucial in enforcing peace in this community,” Inspector Ayo cajoled them.
Eleven people from the slum followed the policemen back to the station. They trekked about ten minutes because the Van had been used to take the Issongs to the hospital. By the time they arrived at the station, the cloud had darkened and it thundered, threatening to rain. In front of the police station were the bodies of the slain gang members spread on the floor. Policemen ran with transparent polythene bags and covered the bodies to protect them from the rain. The witnesses passed by the bodies and looked to see if they could recognise any one of them, but they could not see through the polythene bags clearly.
It took about an hour for the police to start recording witness statements, by then it was raining heavily. The witnesses left one after the other after giving their statements. Despite being the first to give her account, Madam Nanchat was stuck outside the station for fear of trekking under the rain and getting sick with pneumonia. Having a car in the slum was a luxury- motorcycles being the only means of transportation available at that time were riskier than walking. She waved the ten witnesses goodbye as they left, they were far younger than her and could withstand the cold.
Standing under the shed in front of the police station, Madam Nanchat noticed movement underneath the polythene bag where the bodies were kept. She freaked out and yelled to alert the police as the person rolled out of the polythene bag covered in blood and gasping with pain. Unable to stand, he dragged himself on the floor with his hands as fast as he could, attempting to escape from the police station. “Why are you making noise here, madam,” A police sergeant asked as he strolled out of the building nonchalantly. She pointed to the crawling man. “We have a runner” the sergeant yelled and ran towards him. The crawling man turned to face them as he continued dragging himself; Madam Nanchat reacted in utter disbelief as she recognised the face, “Effiong” she screamed as she ran towards him. The policeman got to Effiong before her. He stamped his left foot on Effiong’s right hand and stayed firm on it. “Bring a gun,” the sergeant said to the policemen running out of the building and a corporal returned to get a pistol. While he waited for the gun the sergeant began kicking Effiong’s head with his left leg; Effiong curled to his side and raised his left hand to shield his head from the kicks. Madam Nanchat pushed the sergeant off Effiong but she didn’t have the strength to make an impact. On her second attempt, he shoved aside and said: “Do you know you are assaulting an officer of the law?” Sighting the corporal appear with the pistol, Madam Nanchat begged the sergeant not to shoot Effiong. “Fire the head” the sergeant yelled, ignoring her plea and the corporal aimed the gun at Effiong’s head. Madam Nanchat dived on him to protect him. “Get up” The sergeant ordered; the corporal had the pistol pointed at her. “Please don’t shoot him,” she begged, holding onto Effiong as tight as she could and refusing to let go. From his office upstairs, Inspector Ayo heard the commotion in front of the station and went out. He pushed through the crowd of policemen to where Madam Nanchat shielded Effiong “Stop all this” he yelled. “What’s going on here?”
“One of the boys’ isn’t dead and he tried to run away” The sergeant answered. “Madam Nanchat, what are you still doing here? We finished with you hours ago” Inspector Ayo demanded. He stretched out his hand to pull her up, but she declined his help “No, your men will shoot this boy,” she said.
 “Do you know him, who is he?” Inspector Ayo asked.
 “Effiong” she replied. “It is his parents that were taken to the hospital this morning. He is a good boy. He helps his parents at the restaurant all day, Monday-Saturday,” she added.
 “If he is such a good boy, what was he doing with criminals at the time of the night they were busted?” Inspector Ayo quizzed.
“There must be an explanation, please, let’s take this boy to the hospital” Madam Nanchat pleaded.
“Take this criminal to the hospital and waste public funds on him? Every one of them lying down here, their parents would say similar things about them that you’ve said about Effiong but we all know the truth, they are all criminals.”
Curled up on the floor, Effiong was slipping in and out of consciousness due to the banging on his head; he was also losing blood from his gunshot wound. “I can feel him slipping away,” Madam Nanchat cried. She shifted off him and gently turned Effiong who was now unconscious to lie flat on his back. A gaping hole was on his upper right thigh, close to his groin area and blood was still pouring out. “This boy has been bleeding for hours, don’t let him die. He lost his sister from the bullet of the police gun four years ago please do justice……..”
 “His sister was killed years ago because she was a criminal and he has followed suit. What a foolish boy,” The sergeant cut in.
 “We lost men almost every day to this thugs, some of them have families. Yesterday we were lucky, one casualty but no deaths thankfully. When we are ruthless to these guys you shouldn’t blame us, we are doing our jobs protecting you citizens. A job we are rarely appreciated for.” Inspector Ayo said while he removed his pistol from its pouch around his waist.
All the while a well-dressed young man on his way to the station stopped to watch them, unnoticed. He was contented to stand underneath the shed away from the rain, however, hearing that the boy lost his sister four years ago got him more curious. He stretched to see if he could recognise the boy, but his face was badly beaten. “Excuse me,” The man said as he moved forward. “Morning sir” the policemen halted and saluted him as he passed them. “What’s going on here? He asked as he advanced. Inspector Ayo stood still and saluted, the man saluted back and dropped his hand and Inspector Ayo followed suit. “Sir, we raided the most notorious corner in the slum yesterday and these are the casualties” Inspector Ayo briefed him.
“And him” not waiting for a response he reached out to Madam Nanchat “I’m John Umoh, the officer in charge of this station. I have just been transferred here and this is my first day reporting for duty. Talk to me, is he your son.” Obviously exhausted from the hassling, she responded: “He is innocent”. The police van drove into the station and driver and his accomplice parked the vehicle and removed Meska’s body from the back and put him with the others. “Sir, these men took an old couple supposedly searching for their son – this boy, to the hospital. They were almost lynched by that man, pointing at Meska’s body. Hearing that, Effiong twitched. He tried to open his eyes, but they were swollen. “Madam, do you know his name,” John Umoh asked. “Effiong” she replied.
 Effiong who? He asked again.
 “Issong” she replied.  
 John Umoh folded his hands and stayed silent for a bit, his men too kept mute observing his reaction “Ahhh” he exclaimed, “Emabong Issong!” He sighed

Subsidy removal 3 By Zara Iko

Weeks turned to months and months to years after Ema’s demise, still the Issong’s constantly remembered the horrible morning that changed the course of their family tree. Thankfully, the pain seemed to subside with each passing year. Even though they still needed some explanation about Emabong’s death, they, however, learnt to accept her passing. Surely they were still aggrieved by government’s lack of concern for their misfortune; notwithstanding, they carried on living with expectations for a brighter future for the family.

 Luckily for the Issongs, their hard work had started to pay off. The shanty restaurant they were running had become somewhat successful and they recently rented a shop, nothing fancy though; it was nevertheless a massive step up from what they had started with.  They also didn’t have to choke themselves in the one room apartment they used to live in because they had upgraded to a three bedroom house though still in the slum. For the first time since they started having children, the parents had their room, the three boys shared a room and Ini got a room to herself, even though she never slept there because she was afraid to sleep in a room by herself.

Effiong, now eighteen and transformed into a young man, gradually grew into the role and responsibility of the first born child of the family. It wasn’t an easy vacuum to fill, having to help his parents grow the restaurant, cater to his younger ones and also attend to his studies. He had been so angry with Ema for being so zealous, which eventually led to her passing, but now standing in her stead, he understood her craze. What kept him motivated was that things had become better for the family .Not too long ago, the family was so broke that whenever they returned from school while their parents were away doing whatever menial job they could find, Ema would make some concoction to eat from what she could scrape up in the house. Thank God they didn’t have to scrape up garbage for meals anymore. “I wonder what Emabong would have been like if she was still here. She could have possibly gotten married, maybe popped out a kid or two,” Effiong wondered as he bent over, washing dirty dishes in the back of the restaurant. It was a busy afternoon at the restaurant, and clean dishes were running out fast. “I guess it is time we added more dishes, I could have been helping to serve customers faster,” he thought as he lifted the basket full of washed dishes inside and picked up more dirty dishes for washing. Since he completed secondary school a year ago, he had been working full-time at the restaurant, his parents preferred that he continued straight away to the university but he talked them into giving him a year’s break. After much pleading, they agreed to give him a year off studying and it was about to end. His parents had begun chipping in gentle reminders about Uni. No doubt they would miss his service when he left, he had been tremendously helpful, but he had to go to the university, they were not going to saddle him with their responsibility. Effiong, on the other hand, didn’t want to leave his family, his uncle, a university lecturer promised him admission into his university, miles away from home. It scared Effiong how scarce seeing his family would become. In a sense he felt responsible for them, seeing how things had improved, gingered him to work harder so they could continue to grow; he was willing to forfeit progressing with his education for a while so his younger ones could comfortably proceed with theirs. 

By late afternoon the influx of customers into the restaurant slowed down, the few customers left had already been served and were eating. It was almost closing time and there was no more food to be sold, so he began clearing the remainder of dirty pots, dishes and other utensils for washing. As they last customer left, Papa locked the front door and helped Mama clear the remaining dishes taking them for washing then they returned inside to clean up the restaurant. They finished sweeping, dusting and mopping inside and went out to carry the washed dishes inside. Effiong had finished washing and followed them, carrying the bigger pots. They locked the back door and settled down to calculate their sales turnover of the day. While papa sorted out the account, Mama and Effiong conversed, soon it led to the big question Effiong didn’t want to hear “Are you set for Uni?” Mama asked. Unable to reply, because he knew they wouldn’t be pleased with his response, Effiong pretended not to hear her and hurried to the restroom. Knowing his mum, he knew she wouldn’t let her question rest in peace; she would come back at him more aggressively, especially with how dodgy he avoided her question. He remained in the restroom, figuring out what to do when his mum called out “Effiong aren’t you done with what you are doing in there, we are about to lock up”. He took his time coming out, but his Mama wasn’t phased out by his time wasting, she continued “I spoke to your uncle this afternoon and he said you haven’t emailed the results that he asked you to, why?”

“Mama, I haven’t had the time to do it,” he replied jitterily.

“You had the whole of Saturday and Sunday off, but you didn’t do it. Time isn’t your excuse boy, you don’t want to go to Uni,” Mama proclaimed.

“Mama, is that such a bad idea?” Effiong asked.

“Boy crazy? you must go to school. You deceived us to give you a year off and I must confess it has been a year well spent but isn’t there more you want to do with your life?

 “Mama, I want to stay another year and help”

“That won’t happen, you have to go, and I promise you that you will thank me later”

“I don’t want to go now” Effiong insisted.

“No more on this, email your results to your uncle tomorrow morning before coming to the restaurant” Mama commanded, and stormed out of the restaurant.

“Effiong, take the petrol Jerrycan with you, you will have to queue at the station later to buy fuel for the Generator and my Motorcycle, looks like the fuel scarcity is poised to prevail,” Papa said.

Effiong watched his parents ride off, then he went on his way home, about twenty minutes’ walk. He noticed the line of cars stretch from the entrance of the petrol station with no end in view. “This queue is crazy, not looking forward to joining in,” he mumbled. He strolled lazily thinking about his discussion with his Mum, his was upset because he wasn’t ready to leave them yet, completely lost in thoughts, he didn’t notice a group of young men approaching him, by the time he looked up they had rounded him up. Being  well aware of their reputation-the echt bad boys, like  most people he would have rather avoided them, better still never cross paths with them, but now that they had, he prayed silently that he parted with them in one piece.

“We are here to see you,” the man in charge said. “You know we usually don’t come out this bright and early, but we’ve been trailing your path for a while now and it is impossible to catch you out when we are out, so we decided to humble ourselves and come to you”.

Getting agitated, Effiong said “Mando, I am just on my way home, I’ve got nothing on me except for the Jerrycan.

The boys laughed. “See, he knows he owes us something.” Mando, the leader of the pack announced and the rest continued laughing.

Effiong stood in their midst fidgeting, with the way they appeared he knew they were not in their correct senses, they were obviously soaked in whatever drugs they often indulged in.

“Your sweet old restaurant there, if you don’t want anything to happen to it, you will pay us weekly stipends from tonight, your tax holiday is over.”

“But I have got nothing to give you” Effiong mumbled.

Mando grabbed his shoulder and said “shh…….. We have watched your family profit from this neighbourhood. It’s time to start paying tax to the boys. Tonight we will be awaiting the first instalment, or maybe you would prefer broken windows?”

“Please No!” Effiong yelped

“You know where to find us and don’t discuss this with anyone,” Mando said, pulling his ear. Effiong nodded in agreement. Mando snapped his fingers and the others followed him.

Effiong arrived home at a quarter to seven. Stressed from the meeting with the boys, he went straight to his room. Ini followed him inside and jumped on his back playfully. “Will you help me with my maths assignment?” she asked as she jumped down. Without a response, he waved her off. “Help me before the electricity is cut,” she persisted. Effiong snapped and screamed “Later”. The twins were shaken by the yell that they rushed into the room to know what was happening. They met Effiong taking off his shirt and Ini standing with tears building up in her eyes. The look on Effiongs face was frightening that without a word they pulled Ini Out and consoled her. 

The twins, Bassey and Edo, were fifteen years old and were in the first year of senior secondary school. Ever since Effiong finished secondary school and started working full time in the restaurant, they didn’t have to go there every day after school. They had ample time to concentrate on their school work, they had only a few house chores to do every day and also look after their younger sister Ini, who just turned ten and in primary six preparing for her entrance exams into secondary school. Ini faintly remembered Emabong, she was only six when Ema passed away, she recalled what she looked like through the pictures in the house and could only imagine what her life would have been like if she still had her big sister. Her brothers loved her silly, she was the apple of their eyes, but she sometimes felt choked by all the attention because they always monitored her when she went out to play with her friends and they didn’t like her talking to boys. Otherwise, her brothers were awesome and she loved them to bits.

Effiong woke up minutes past eight pm, not that he caught any sleep. He had been thinking about the boys. He had some money saved up from the tips he received from customers at the restaurant and pocket money his parents gave him weekly. He gathered the money and decided to use it to appease the boys. He went to his father to collect the keys to his motorcycle and some money for fuel. “Will help you when I get back,” he said to Ini as he walked out, but she ignored him .He gave the twins thumbs up and they also gave back in return. “Thank God, his mood has improved,” Bassey sighed and Edo nodded in agreement.

Effiong rode his motorcycle past the array of cars waiting to be served petrol and straight to the front of the station where hundreds of other Bikes were gathered. The entrance was barricaded, but rumours had gone around that the particular station started selling petrol after nine pm, at an illegal rate higher than the usual pump price. He waited until half past nine, still the station didn’t start selling so he switched on his bike and rode off to another station miles away from the slum. Every station he went to had no fuel. At ten-thirty pm he resolved to return home and go out early the next morning to get petrol. As he rode back home, he saw that the station he went to first, had been selling. He scurried his bike off the road and into the station. He rode in-between the cars , straight to the front of the queue, he had never been thankful they didn’t own a car, but that day he was because cars didn’t have the privilege of breaking the line unless the driver was ready for a brawl with other irate car drivers waiting to be served.

Effiong finally got petrol at almost half twelve in the morning. He sped home, forgetting Mando and his threat. He was so tired he knocked out soon as his head touched his pillow. He didn’t have to wake up early the next morning; his Mum had sort of given him the day off. He felt bad his folks would have to get things done on their own that morning, but his mother made it clear that he emailed his credentials to his uncle before he resumed at the restaurant.  While the twins prepared for school in the morning, Bassey noticed Effiong’s phone vibrating on the bed, Effiong was deep asleep and didn’t feel it. Bassey ignored its vibration but when he noticed the caller persisted, he picked up the phone and tapped Effiong “Mum is calling you” he said after checking the caller and handed the phone to Effiong. Effiong answered, “We’ve been robbed,” his mother yelled frantically and hung up. He checked the time as he jumped off the bed; it was a quarter past six. He hurriedly put on jeans and T-shirt then he ran to the restaurant. Approaching the restaurant he could tell it had been vandalised because all the windows were wrecked. He ran inside and saw his parents' sweeping pieces of glasses. “Are you ok?” he gasped.

“Yes, we are fine,” Papa answered. “They didn’t get in or take anything, everything is intact”. Mama remained mute distraught at the state of the restaurant.

“Mama, papa go and start cooking I will take care of the cleaning,” Effiong said. Then he forced the brooms out of their hands, and gently nudged them towards the kitchen, glumly they obliged him. “The boys weren’t bluffing, they did as they said they would,” he thought “Damn me for forgetting,” he cursed aloud.

It was a long and hard day, they were overly conscious of the broken windows and since it was the raining season they hoped it didn’t rain. Business went on as usual and at about 3pm, their fears became a reality as the sky turned grey and thick cloud gathered,lightning flashed and the thunder roared, the  blew fiercely and blew dust into the restaurant. They were forced to stop serving customers. Papa and Mama decided to head home before the rain came down to be with the younger children and on their way tell the window fixer not to wait until business closes as they had initially agreed, leaving Effiong to handle the situation. Luckily, that day they made just a little under what the repairer asked for as his charge, they gathered that up and had to dip into their savings to balance payment.

Effiong waited behind for the repairer; somehow no one noticed his absent-mindedness throughout the day because his folks had been moody too. He stood by the window and stared outside, hoping the rain would ease and the repairer would appear, he had somewhere to go and with each passing moment, he feared what could go wrong. Yes, he knew who committed the atrocity and with such audacity, could he risk reporting them. If they threatened to break the windows if he defaulted payment and carried it out, then they would as well hurt him if he dared open his mouth to say anything. His attention returned outside and instead of calming the rain came down with increasing ferocity. Not even one car could be seen on the road; he sunk into one of the chairs and covered his face with his palm as the rain began to splash into the restaurant. “Mama and Papa have sweated and bleed to build this, I won’t let those touts destroy it” he exclaimed.

Mama waited home anxiously for Effiong to return. As time passed she became more anxious. The repairer said he was going to fix the windows right away. If he did as he said, surely they should have been done. Reaching Effiong’s voicemail frustrated her, there was no way anyone could go out, not with the intensity of rainfall and flooded roads. Papa came out of the room where he had been resting “Effiong isn’t back yet?” he asked.

“NO!” replied Mama. “And his phone cannot be reached.”

“I think I should go back to the restaurant to check for him,” Papa said.

“It is pitch black out there, still raining and the roads are flooded. Let’s just wait a bit more.” Mama suggested and Papa agreed and relaxed beside her. Fifteen minutes later, Effiong walked in.Ini jumped up and hugged him, she forgot she was mad at him, the twins greeted him enthusiastically, relieved to have him home safe. Papa looked at the time, “It is Eight-fifty pm, what happened?” he questioned Effiong.

“The window fixer came around half six. He said he had to look for fuel for more than two hours under the rain and still didn’t get so he bought from the black market,”Effiong replied.

“What did he need fuel for?” Papa asked.

“For his car and some equipment he had to operate,” Effiong responded.

Didn’t you buy fuel for the generator yesterday? Papa queried

“Yes I did dad, but we didn’t have to use it, the repairer came with his work light” Effiong answered.

“Welcome home son, you got me worried and your number didn’t go through” Mama said.

“Sorry Mum, my battery ran down” Effiong answered, walking to his room, he didn’t want to waste any more time getting probed, he had to go see Mando. The restaurant had received enough damage, there had never been a day they had to shut down the business since they opened, but one encounter with the boys and the business faced a possible second day of not opening due to the rain pouring into the restaurant, “I hope I have the strength to wake up very early to go dry off the water in the restaurant” Effiong said as he put the money for Mando in the front pocket of his jeans.

 Effiong chilled until his parents had dozed off on the sitting room couch, the twins were studying on the dining table “I will be back soon,” he whispered as he tiptoed from the room to the back door. As soon as he got out he dashed as fast as he could. The roads were still flooded and littered with waste, pushed out from wherever and floating on the water. He really didn’t care about the state of the roads he just wanted to get to the boys. His family business was in danger and he was responsible for protecting it and that was what he was going to do. He noticed the long queue still at the petrol station, some drivers had even dozed off inside their cars some gathered and lamented the woes of the petrol scarcity. Eventually, he arrived at the domain of Mando and his boys.

Effiong walked cautiously towards the boys, the pungent smell of cannabis penetrating his nostrils. Loud cheering and music boomed in his ear. As they became visible, it appeared some of the girlfriends had come visiting and were sharing their boyfriend’s wrap of weed; a few were smooching seriously not giving a care in the world who might be watching. The atmosphere was threatening, very rowdy “why would anyone want to live like”  Effiong thought “I must be crazy to have convinced myself to do this,” then again he thought “This is the only sane way out.” 

Effiong braced himself and walked up to the boys, they poked insults at him as he approached them. “Please I want to see Mando” he mumbled.

“Speak out,” one of the guys said, slapping his head. 

“Can I see Mando,” he repeated audibly. They parted and let him pass between them, some pushed him with their shoulder and some smacked his head until he got to Mando.

 Mando sat down facing him sucking in the smoke from his wrap of weed, nodding his head to the tune of the music. “It’s a lovely evening for a fine wrap of skunk,” Mando said, offering him a fresh wrap and lighter.

“No thanks, I don’t smoke,” Effiong said.

“Hahahahaha” Mando laughed and the others laughed with him. “He said I don’t smoke” Mimicking Effiong.

He got up and moved close to Effiong, The thirty-something year old’s stocky frame frightened Effiong. “Foolish boy,” Mando said with a husky voice, “I left you a message at your restaurant last night; I suppose that’s why you’ve come here”

Effiong nodded his head timidly.

“We were planning to burst into the restaurant and destroy all the properties inside this night and if you still didn’t turn up with our money, and tomorrow we would have burnt the place down.

“I’ve got the money,” Effiong said frantically and brought the money out of his pocket and handed it down to Mando. Mando received it and started counting “I hope his sense is clouded by the weed so he doesn’t hassle me about the amount,” Effiong thought as he watched Mando count the money.Suddenly, a loud band sounded, they looked up a saw a bunch of policemen “Everybody get down” the police shouted “You fool, you set us up” Mando yelled, then another bang sounded, and guns began firing sporadically.

Mama heard the loud bangs and jerked up from sleep to the front door, she locked the burglary proof and then locked the door, and she rushed to the back and did the same. Then she returned to the sitting room “These robbers have started making trouble again,” she said “Children, go to bed. Bassey, come and carry your sister to the room.” She watched them enter the room, “Put off the candle,” she yelled. As soon as they did, she tapped her husband and said: “Papa Ema, let’s go to bed.” He staggered up and walked to the room while she followed him with a lamp. She checked the time and it was almost twelve am. She settled in bed and put off the lamp.

Bassey and Edo could not sleep; they were expecting Effiong to tap on the window for them to open the door. Time ticked away slowly, at three am he still had not returned. Edo, the younger of the twin got weary, he could not handle the suspense any longer and he wanted to go tell their parents, but Bassey begged him to hang on. “I have a bad feeling about this” Edo kept on saying, but Bassey insisted “All is well”. At Five am when their Mother woke up to prepare breakfast, they were still waiting, not even for a second did they shut their eyes so they couldn’t have possibly missed his knock. “What had happened to Effiong? He had never spent the night out”. Thoughts of what may have happened captured the twin’s imagination; they feared for their brother wellbeing and began to comprehend the magnitude of the secret they withheld from their parents. Mama knocked on their door thirty minutes later holding a candle “Bassey, Edo wake up and get ready for school,” she said. Then she tapped Ini “get ready to shower after your brothers,” she said. She noticed Effiong’s empty bed “where is your brother?” she asked the twins. Unable to keep it in any longer Edo confessed, “He went out last night and hasn’t returned.”

  “Where?” Mama screamed. They shook their heads because they didn’t know. Papa rushed into the room and asked, “What’s going on?”

“The gun shots, last night, ahh…….” She screamed and rushed towards the room, picked up her phone and started calling. “He is not answering his phone,” she screamed desperately. She tried again a few more times, it rang but same response she got. She ran to the front door, opened it and ran out maniacally, screaming for Effiong.

Subsidy Removal 2

Papa Ema returned home in the early hours of the morning. His family and some neighbours who stayed back in his house were up, waiting. The electricity was still out and the light from the lamp on the table was dim and flapping because the kerosene was drying up. The Men stood outside all night waiting for his return while the women and children stayed in the house. In the densely populated area where they live, armed robbers operate erratically and most residents would be locked up in their homes behind bars of iron serving as burglary proof. No one dared to stand outside unless he had a death wish. However, the dire situation they found themselves in, as a result of the information they received from the police some hours back, caused them  to care less for their safety.  Papa Ema walked past the men outside his house like a Zombie. He walked like that  all the way home from where the police dropped him Miles from his home.  They blamed the poor state of the roads in the slum, claiming that the bumps and potholes on the road would damage the shock absorbers of the Peugeot 406 they used as their patrol car. Sighting her husband enter the house, Mama Ema looked at him with hope, even though her Faith was failing her. She saw Emabong tuck her ID card into her handbag that morning. she wonders in a flash, “It could be a mistaken identity; she could have possibly dropped her bag making a run from the bullets”.

Puffy eyes, obviously from crying stare at him. Beads of sweat formed on the foreheads of the people inside trickled down their faces. It was hot in the house, even though the windows and curtains were up. The area was congested, houses were built too close together, the reason they needed electricity to power their Fans since they were not getting any natural air. Then again they suffered more from power shortage than less congested areas. Papa Ema’s mouth moved, he was trying to speak, but he couldn’t. His mouth twitched violently, almost like he was having a seizure then he blurted out words so sharp that could pierce a heart and divide it into two “Emabong Dead” that was all he muttered.

The house shook to its foundation as the people in it burst out crying almost screaming  their lungs out. “Emabong dead” Mama Ema said in disbelief- now that it was certain, it felt unreal. Vivid pictures of the last moments with her daughter relayed in her mind’s eye. She became a spectator of the debacle that went down between her and Emabong the morning she left the house. She traced the images and voices to the point she was held back by Mama Lele, and then she stood watching Ema walk away without looking back to say goodbye. Her words “If you leave make sure you don’t return here," reverberated loudly, ripping her heart with pain.  She screamed, then she collapsed.

Mama Ema woke up hours later on her bed at home with her children sleeping by her side and on the floor. The sense of sorrow enveloped the house; she hears movement around with people talking and some crying. Still feeling drowsy she remains in bed, sobbing quietly. She’s never felt so much pain before-pain she can never wish on anyone, not even to her enemy. Her daughter, Ini hears her cry and sits up looking at her “Mama, are you hungry, there is plenty of food in the house,”

“No, I am not hungry Ini.”   

 “So why are you crying? Since you people started crying people have been coming to the house with food”. Her Mama looked at her, unable to reply. Ini didn’t understand much of what was happening, she would explain to her, but at that moment she too needed  explanations.

“What about you Ini have you eaten?”

“Yes, Mama.  I am the only one who has eaten”. You, papa and my brothers haven’t.

By evening, the  news of Emabong’s passing had spread like wildfire. Family friends and relatives began trooping into the residents of the Issongs. The student union of her university along with some of Emabongs classmates and friends also arrived to sympathise with her family. As weak as her mother was she had to go to the sitting room to receive visitors, Papa Ema and the men were seated outside of the house. Amara, Emabongs best friend for many years and well known to the family, knelt by Mama Ema, she said “I was supposed to meet Embong that morning; she got there earlier than the rest of us and was way ahead of us.She was part of the people that formed the front line of the procession. We agreed to meet when we returned to the takeoff point. But the soldiers arrived and about 9:15 am the guns went off and we all dispersed. After we had scrambled to safety, we called Ema’s number severally but she didn’t answer until it became unreachable. I never imagined Emabong got shot,” she  cried and Mama Ema cried too.

Two days after Emabong was killed, she was laid to rest. Questions about her death lingered in the minds of her family, friends and a lot of others. There were too many questions and yet no answers coming forth. It was frustrating, particularly for her Family because they didn’t know where to get answers from. The police weren’t helpful -Papa Ema went to the police station right after the burial to ask for Ema’s belongings because that’s where they must have gotten her ID card from though none of her possessions was released to them with her body. He was sent off with nothing. “The police is your friend they say until they turn out to be your worst enemy!” Papa Ema pondered.

Unabated by the killings, the protests continued. The government, relentless on reversing their decision on fuel price stayed mute. About the irreplaceable damage the trigger happy police officers had caused in some families, the government stayed mute too. Also Despite campaigns by the government on the benefits of subsidy removal on petroleum products, Ranging from the development of some sectors of the economy to job creation, road construction and many more, the protests grew bigger. They did not believe that the government that had proved to be irresponsible and extravagant, over and over again, in the management of public funds could set up a body that would effectively manage money accrued from the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

The electricity came back on in the evening of the burial. As usual, the current very low barely able to power their television. The residents of the area were fine with it; they would make do with it. It is by far better than nothing. Effiong Switched on the television in the living room, “Put the news channel on” Papa Ema told him. They had been aware that some news channels covered Emabongs funeral, at that time too grieved to bother. They sat in silence as the newscaster read the news “one of the six slain two days ago, protesting in front of the ministry of petroleum resources against the removal of subsidy on petrol, Emabong Issong, 20years, was buried earlier today. Speaking at the funeral, her father MR Issong had this to say”

“Unlike when you lose a spouse, parents, there is no word to describe a parent who loses a child, because there is no word to describe the kind of pain I feel right now.…………..”

The newscaster then introduced the next news “a new video has emerged of the last moments of the slain protesters. Sources reaching us said the video was uploaded on YouTube on the account of one of the injured protesters John Umoh. He was shot twice, once in the arm and leg. He is said to be recovering at the university teaching hospital”. After the video was aired the residence of the Issong’s erupted with crying. Their wounds were opened afresh. Seeing Emabong at the front of the procession holding high her placard that read “No! No! No! To subsidy Removal”, chanting “we won’t agree oh, we won’t agree, subsidy that’s what we want.” The camera then turned to the police as six of them jumped down from the dark blue Hilux truck with machine guns on hand. The police announced “Clear off now” but the crowd kept marching forward and chanting. They announced again “Last warning. Everyone clear off” this time pointing their guns at the crowd. The crowd appeared to reduce their pace and singing but kept moving. Then the  police blazed off their guns. The video becomes unsteady from rapid movement but the voices remain audible. People scramble for their lives with bullets from the Machine gun flying into the crowd, hitting some and they drop to the ground. “Emabong, Emabong, Emabong,” a male voice called out before he went silent, shortly after the shooting stopped.

Homes across the country watch as the firing squad style execution was meted out on unarmed, peaceful protesters. A variety of Emotions spawned from the minds of people- fear, hopelessness, anger, betrayal- The government, they elected to protect them had turned to desecrate and reduce them to animals by slaughtering them at will. 

Amara sat by the Television in her home watching the news. The name John Umoh took her back to the conversations she and Emabong had recently. Ema spoke about him a lot, she met him recently and they were fond of each other. In fact, he was her new boyfriend. Emabong always talked about her best friend meeting her boyfriend, but she didn’t say he will be coming along that day; she probably wanted to surprise her. Her thought was interrupted by the voice of the police spokesperson “For the last week and a half we watch these protesters build up every day being a nuisance on the streets, keeping willing workers away from their offices, harassing business owners to keep their businesses shut thereby shutting down the economy gradually. Tomorrow the riot police will be on the streets anyone caught moving around aimlessly will be arrested.”  “Or shot” Amara added. “We have not come this far to back down now. It’s either the subsidy is restored or protests continue,” She paused, sighed and then continued. “Your death will not be in vain Emabong.”

Subsidy Removal By Zara Iko

"Emabong if you leave this house, make sure you stay there, you cannot return here," Emabong's mother reprimanded her. 

"Mama, I really want to be among those out there. I have to experience this, even at the university nothing as significant as this happens.  See the crowd of people trooping out. Watch out for me on the news tonight mama, I will make sure I stand by the cameras."

"I am just back from what I call a job, which you know nothing about. While sweeping the road this morning, do you know the kind of things we trashed? Unthinkable! I saw many Men out there, but I did not see one responsible girl"

Mama the struggle is becoming more intense. Young people have to go out to show the government how serious we are. How many of our Government officials fuel their uncountable cars with their hard earned money? I am going out there for you, for Papa, me and my siblings. Think about what the subsidy removal will result to- increased food, transportation cost and many more, and with all this increases, salaries will still not be increased. I am going"

"I already told you go, but stay there, don't return. I have seen the bag you packed. What do you need a change of clothes and underwear for, you even have your lotion and bath sponge will you have a wash on the streets Emabong Issong?  Do you think your mother to be a fool?"

"Bye bye Mama, see you when I get back."

Emabong walked out of the house with her Mama behind her. Her Mama was screaming for her not to go, passers-by stopped to watch, people living around them came out to see what is causing so much noise.

 "Mama Ema, you can't follow her, you have your other children to look after. Let her go, she will come back." Mama Lele her friend from the market held her back.

"What if she doesn't return home? She replied. Mama Lele could see the genuine concern in her eyes. But she  helds her back to stop her from going after Ema. She screamed, cried, struggled to free herself, but Mama Lele held her back. With all this, Emabong didn't even turn back  until she disappeared into the distance.

 The demonstration against the fuel subsidy removal had been going on for three days and the government still didn't relent when Emabong left home to Join in. Her father returned from work some minutes past nine in the morning and met his wife pacing around the house.

" Papa Ema your daughter has gone. she says she has gone to fight for me and you" Mama Ema informs her husband. Very exhausted after keeping guard all night, he soaks in the information and without uttering a word, gets on his bed for a rest. Able to sense his mood, his wife lets him off, she knows that if she pushes further, they might end up having a fight. She holds her peace and lets him sleep, she keeps checking from time to time to see if he is awake, he isn't but she can see his sleep is not restful. He is tossing and turning and even talking in his sleep. Usually when he returns from his Job as a night guard, his snoring is so loud one could hear from two houses away, but today he makes no sound. The houses are so mashed up together, that when they first moved in, the neighbours would query the Issongs about the loud snoring. Seems they have gotten used to it because they didn't make trouble anymore.

She mutters "this man is not enjoying his sleep," then she calls "Papa Ema"  he doesn't reply so she gives him more time. With their other children still in school, she is alone and her mind begins to wonder. it's on  Emabong. So Emabong has grown bigger than me now, she's now out of control. She still cares for her child though, she shuts her eyes and prays for Ema oh God bring my daughter back home, please.

 Mama Ema checks on her husband, two more times and she meets him till sleeping. The third time she sees him sitting on the bed. His elbow on his lap and his palms on his cheeks. "You're finally up papa Ema," she asks.  " when You and your daughter would not allow me to sleep" he replies.

They sit quietly for a few minutes, then he asks "what's the time" "1:15pm" she replies. They sit quietly again for a few minutes and then he demands "where is my food woman.” She stares at him perplexed. "how can he even ask me that" she's thinking“ I didn’t cook anything” she replies. He shakes his head, he is feeling his temper rise, but he tries to keep his cool, he drags air into his lungs and His wife considers it  a threat and goes on the offensive. She starts screaming  “I told you our daughter left home this morning and still you say nothing........”. He listens to her, but he's got his palms on his ears trying to protect his eardrums from bursting. After screaming her heart out she sinks into the wooden armchair by the bed.

“ I was relieved of my job this morning,” he tells her after she let out her frustration.

“Ah! Hey hhhey O God. Where are you! My world is crashing down this morning,” she starts off again

“They went from peaceful protestors to ravaging rioters. They broke in, looted all valuables and could have set the building on fire” he continues telling her

“ I guess These are the same people our daughter has gone to be with, So Emabong is also a thief now” Mama Ema starts lamenting again.

Papa Ema sees he is causing her more grief so he ties his wrapper properly, puts on a vest, then leaves the room. He wants some quietness and besides the room is too small for all the noise she is making.He sits on a wooden stool outside the house and his mind begins to hover until the rest of their children return from school.After marriage, it had taken them over six years to conceive Emabong, after mockery from some family members, friends, and even strangers. All doctors they visited confirmed both of them to be fertile, their families had insisted it was spiritual and brought every kind of concoction for them from different herbalists, which almost killed them, did Emabong arrive to restore Joy to their family.Effiong their second child came another six years after Ema and was only fourteen. The next, twin boys Bassey and Edo were three years younger than Effiong. The last, a girl Ini, came when they thought they were done with child bearing Five years after the twins. “Good afternoon papa” they all chorused.” “ My children you are welcome. Effiong, keep your school bag, take this money, buy us some garri, groundnut and sugar. Be fast, your papa is hungry.” Ini rushed into the kitchen, brought out a large rubber bowl. It has happened before, they will all eat soaked Garri from the rubber bowl and whenever this happens, whatever they ate tasted more delicious than when their mother cooked rice, stew and chicken. It was enjoyable dipping their spoons into the bowl to fetch garri and groundnut swimming on top of the bowl. Their Mama, being curious that none of her kids had come in to ask for food, came out and met them eating with their father. She picked up a spoon too and joined them and for a short time forgot the pain Emabong had caused her.

Later that evening, Mama Ema had found strength so she cooked dinner for the family.While they ate, she and her husband discussed “ I have been considering, it may not be a bad thing I lost my job today. It's been more than five years I sat down in the evening like this to eat dinner with you and the children. The cooking business you had to stop when Ema got admission into the university, we can revive it. I will help you out. When you go out to sweep in the morning I and the children can begin until they leave for school and you return home. We could get a few chairs and tables, bring out all the abandoned pots and food warmers. My days as a night guard is over”

“God Forbid, I can not have my husband, cooking and selling food.” Mama Ema rose up  saying. “ You will look for another job, as soon as possible.”

“Look at me. I am not a young man anymore, most people would consider me a liability to employ” he responds.

“What will other men think of you, what will the women be saying of you!- look at him like a woman…”

He cut her off “ who cares what they think or feel. What bill has my job as a night guard  paid off since I started. Every month we still have to beg, we are heavily indebted. Last night I got lucky I did not get killed. You know why the company was vandalised? because it belongs to the minister of petroleum.And today I was let off with no pay.”He adds

“My husband selling food” she exclaims

“Yes and if you chose not to do it, I will do it myself. I Know my children will help me,” he insists.It was a very hot night and the electricity was out, so after washing up they all sat outside listening to the news on radio when the news of the death of ten protesters was announced, reason being that they had gone violent, destroying state property. They were all listening attentively when two policemen walked into their compound.

“Please where is the house of Mr Issong” one of them asks

Being very afraid he responds trembling “it's me sir”

The arrival of the policemen to the residence of the Issongs did initiate a gathering of men and women who were eager to scoop the gist of what was going on. “Can we talk to you alone?” the policeman says. Papa Ema leads him into his house, lit by a lamp placed on the table.

“This identification card was found on one of the girls killed today at the city center. It apparently belongs to your daughter Emabong Issong”

Papa Emabong screams loudly and his wife rushes into the room.

“It’s Ema. Emabong……”

Mama Ema starts Wailing too and the rest of their children understand the news and start crying too.

“Sir, please pull yourself together, you have to come with us to identify the body,” The policeman says to Papa Emma and they get him ready to leave with them.

Valentine Blues by Zara Iko

Kamsi’s first valentine on her own in the big city looked promising. She and Nedu started dating in their final year in the university. They recently just graduated and as luck would have it got Jobs in the same city. Her parents, especially, insisted she got a separate apartment from Nedu’s; they didn’t want them living together until maybe they got married.
 Before he came over to hers to get her out that evening Nedu had been doing everything right, sending her romantic messages throughout the day. His last text got her all fired up it read “you are like the gin in the glass of cranberry juice I am holding right now, except in your case I don’t have to drink you to get drunk, all I need is a vision of you. See you in 20 x”.
Fully charged with the expectation of a great evening with her love, Kamsi was ready and waiting when Nedu arrived, she opened the door excitedly. Expecting to see a bunch of flowers, candy and maybe a present. She squeezed her brows seeing he came empty handed. He tried to hug her, but she stepped back. “No flowers, no candy, nothing Nedu!” Kamsi exclaimed
“Well, you see everyone knows that on Valentine’s Day, flowers and candy are sold out. I tried to get, but every single shop I went to had run out” Nedu replied.
“What happened to preparing before today? You could have managed a card at least?”Kamsi demanded
Nedu scratched his head and asked her “Where is my own gift”. She walked to the fridge, took out a cupcake and gave it to him. “Happy valentine’s day,” kamsi said.
“One cupcake” he laughed, pulled off the paper from the cake and pushed  the whole thing into his mouth. “Thanks darling, he forced out munching his cupcake, Shall we?” he said,   leading her out of the door.
“He couldn’t even offer me a bite” Kamsi mumbled with disappointment, rolling her eyes as he followed her lead.
On their way, taxi’s passed by, but Nedu didn’t look like he was interested in stopping one. Kamsi expected him to call a taxi, especially because she had heels on, but he just kept on walking and talking, so she asked “I know you don’t have a car yet, but we don’t have to trek to where ever we are going. What about stopping a taxi?”
 “Don’t you think it would be more romantic if we walked?!”Nedu replied her. Kamsi looked at him fuming, but she managed to get her temper trapped and walked by Nedu’s side finding support resting her arm on his shoulders and his arm around her waist. Somewhere along the twenty-five minutes’ walk to the city center Kamsi’s mood had lightened up and she was feeling excited once again. She imagined he had some wonderful surprises planned out by the time they got to where ever he was taking her to, else he wouldn't have dared the horrible start to the evening.

After the painful walk, they arrived at the city center. It was packed with some lovely places to visit, mouth watering Valentine’s Day deals were on, one of the most popular deals was for free champagne and cake for any couple who got engaged in Tapa restaurant, the poshest in the city center. Kamsi was now very anxious for the unfolding of  Nedu's  grand planned evening to salvage the catastrophic valentines she was already having. She even imagined them being up in Tapa clicking their champagne glasses  celebrating their engagement, she had a strong conviction he was about to propose to her hence the front, excitement rushed through her that she grabbed and pulled Nedu closer, giving him a long spitty kiss on his cheek; He giggled with excitement thinking she was finally enjoying the evening.

The city center was buzzing with couples of different ages, even some grandpa’s had brought their old ladies out for a good time and managed to get flowers for them, yet her Man who had filled her ears with some sweet jargons couldn’t manage a stem of flower. “I think most people had flowers and candy grown in their backyards this year, even granny there” pointing at an older couple close by “could manage one” kamsi queried Nedu.
 “Ah, what’s more important than this- me, you holding hands on this romantic walk, my heart beat right now is so powerful you can feel it on my palm and it's because of you,” Nedu said trying to sweet talk her.
 “You are so full of shit man. We’ve been walking for an hour now, I have got heels on, and it hurts. I pulled this look for you and you’ve decided to punish me for it” kamsi was starting to feel frustrated.
 “Haven’t I been singing your praise all evening, you look out of this world?” Nedu said.
“I haven’t been listening to your balderdash for a while now; it worked on the phone, that’s why I got dressed this up. It can’t work now, not while my feet are on fire. I am burning with anger right now,Nedu. If you speak another lie I will slap your lips out of your face. ” Kamsi shot at him.
“I know you don’t mean that. You look too good to be angry today. Don’t worry the day will get better” Nedu tried to calm her down
When? I am worn out from trekking around town. All I want is my bed Nedu, my feet are sore”
That will be an awesome end to this valentine day celebration me and you wrapped up underneath your sheets” Nedu said and winked at her.
“You know what, I have had it with you”, kamsi said. She bent to take off her heels and launched them at Nedu in rage, but he dodged them and ran off. She chased after him but couldn’t keep up, so she stopped. By then her figure hugging, short red dress had rolled on up exposing her black panty, quickly she adjusted and started to walk off. She left home without money; her clutch bag was empty she trusted that Nedu would take care of her. She thought, well, I walked here, so I can walk back, it would even be better now that I don’t have my shoes on and that annoying Nedu, she consoled herself. From nowhere someone’s hands circled her waist from behind, firming his grip on her, he put his lips to her ear and whispered “I am having so much fun baby”
 “You are so annoying, release me and see if I won’t kill you” she yelled. “Relax and enjoy yourself,” Nedu asked of her.
 “We’ve walked past several nice restaurants and other good hang out spots, but we’ve past every single one of them twice and still not decided where we would end up. I would be enjoying myself better if we had been sitting in there” pointing at Tapa “like one of the normal couples in there eating a delicious meal, champagne to wash it down and maybe a ring pop’s up magically. That would have been very enjoyable. Look at me; I am dressed for that kind of enjoyment. Not this.”
He released her, walked in front of her looking very serious. He starred at her for some brief seconds, then he burst out laughing really hard.
Kamsi continued “You did the same thing for my birthday, I can’t believe I fell for your shenanigans again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” She said, then slammed her shoes on the floor and walked past him. He tried to pull her back, but she released her hand from his hold and used both her hands to push him by his chest farther away from her. Then she started to run towards her house. Nedu didn’t even notice they had caused a stir, a small crowd had gathered around them to watch the lovers quarrel. Some people from the crowd yelled out “go get her dude, you are in the wrong, go get her. Nodding his head in affirmation, he picked up her shoes and ran after her. Catching up with her wasn’t so difficult; soon he was jogging behind her and talking to her “Will you stop kamsi. I brought your shoes for you, ” she turned back again and pushed him by his chest away from her and continued jogging. “You know it’s the silly things I do that makes you love me” she groaned angrily bent to pick up a stone and threw it at him but he dodged it. All the while she was running. “I bet you, this will be your most memorable Valentine’s Day,” he continued poking at her. She bent down, packed sand in her hand and threw back at him, but he dodged and continued chasing after her. “Someday our grandchildren will hear how I chased after their grandma overcoming all obstacles thrown at me- shoe, stone, sand and whatever you find next to throw at me”. But then she stopped and yelled “go away. I really hate you now” and pushed his chest again and continued running. He didn’t relent, he continued chasing after her “it is so sexy watching you run from behind Kamsi”

 “You are so frustrating, get lost forever Nedu”.


Eventually, She got to her house stopped by her front door and tried opening the door before Nedu got to her so she could slam the door right in his face, but she ended up fiddling with the keys until he caught up, he placed his hand on her hand on the door handle, she was breathing heavily because of the running “let me help you” he said  but she kept fighting him off. Calm down Kamsi, calm down! I’m sorry you didn’t see the humour in this I promise you next year would be much better, please. Still really upset yet accepting his apology she stopped fighting him off and let him open the door, and then they went in together.

In the end 5 By Zara Iko

Rays from the rising sun permeated the bare windows of the Gana's bedroom  right onto their faces waking them up on Christmas morning. “Merry Christmas darlings” Dawana said to the children still lying beside her with eyes wide open. She sat up and picked up a note addressed to her on the floor “will be back soon.”She had no idea where Nathan had taken off to that morning. She got up from the floor where they all slept with only a bed sheet separating their backs from the cold floor and looked out of the window. The harmattan wind blew about dust and dry leaves fallen off trees still yet the decor on the dried up trees looked better than what was in the house because some families had decorated their trees with Christmas lightning’s. Everything in their house they could get value on was sold off from their cars to cutleries. Lucky were they to find a buyer for the house in such short space and they were willing to sell at a loss. Still yet to conclude transactions before they had to leave the house finally, they planned how they were going to off load the children at Dawana’s parent's until they could have them back . Nathan had been able to get his boss to extend from two weeks to three months because he paid some money to the company every week and his boss was touched by his determination.

The Christmas morning was boring in the Gana’s and so was the afternoon. Somehow they managed to keep their dilemma from their parents and lied to be spending Christmas at the other of the couple’s parent’s house. Dawana worried as time went by and still yet no Nathan, leaving no clue as where he might be, more annoying was the automated voice popping up anytime she called his number “this person’s phone is switched off”. “Maybe he could not handle the pressure anymore and so ran off” she thought. She shook the imagination off her mind. Nala and Terni surprisingly remained calm all day. They made do with what they had available. Christmas tradition for them would mean the family all dresses up in new clothing, shoes and other accessories for the women and going to church in the morning then return from church to spend the rest of the day entertaining family and friends with games , movies , music, food, drinks and whatever was interesting to them. Tired of boredom Nala approached her mum timidly and asked “where is daddy, has he gone to get our presents?" She paused for an answer from her mum but Dawana stared at her daughter without a reply “Mummy we didn't get to go to church, put on our Christmas dresses and even get our hair done for Christmas. Why don’t we have our house decorated with Christmas lights like the Teejay’s? Pointing to their neighbour’s house. Getting irritated by the girls lamentation, Dawana lashed out at the girl words she held back on for a while “you put us in the mess” gesturing at the state of their house and their condition. “Shut your big mouth up-you just love to run your mouth everywhere you go, it’s your mouth” pulling her under lip “that’s gotten us where we are now and you still haven’t learnt your lesson yet”.  

Nathan returned home after 6pm, he meant each one of them maintaining a corner looking demoralised. “I thought you had run away” Dawana said rising up. “No!” he brushed past her and headed to Nala and Terni picking them up from where they laid down “I am sorry you are having a terrible Christmas, daddy’s is going to liven things up soon”. “What’s in the bag Nathan” Dawana asked pointing at the bag hanging from his shoulder. “Money!” he said. He dropped the bag and opened to show his wife the content. “A Guy called Ali paid $50,000 for the house. We’ve got more than we need to pay our debt.” “Have you dealt with drug dealers where on earth do you get someone to pay this much money cash down and i believe you were introduced to him today?! You have never mentioned any Ali before now.” Dawana said acting afraid “What do you care Dawana, this is a Christmas miracle.  We don’t have to sleep on the hard floor tonight we will go get dinner and a decent room to sleep in, my body aches from sleeping on the hard floor. I will hand the keys over to Ali when all the necessary documents are signed after the holiday.”

A taxi finally arrived after about half an hour wait. They dumped their luggage in the boot of the car; they only packed for one night. Nathan still held on to the bag containing the money “We will be making two stops but first the Bureau de change please” Nathan announced to the taxi man. The ride to the bureau de change was really quick, few cars on the road, most people seemed to enjoy the Christmas indoors. However when they arrived their first stop they met a bit of a queue since it was the only bureau the change open. Nathan asked that his family remained in the car while he went in alone for business.

Nathan looked at his time and it was already a quarter past seven. He guessed he might be on the line another fifteen minutes and thought he should ask the taxi to go so they would ring for another when he was done but he changed his mind quickly so he didn’t say anything, he intended to convert a thousand dollars and with that he would have enough Naira to ensure his family got a great time. Getting uneasy as he edged closer to the door of the entrance to the money converters he stretched his neck and noticed that even though the line was long there were four attendants and they were pretty fast. Soon enough he was in, he looked around and noticed they were all men, for them to be here on a Christmas day they must have had a pressing need-The rich who took out money from their collection of foreign currencies stashed in their safe to exchange so they give themselves a more lavish Christmas, to the average who maybe had run out of cash and decided to pinch from his savings and the poor who might have gotten a Christmas miracle and found favour with someone. Whichever way the room was packed with men whom all seemed to be in a hurry. He tried to fix each man to the cars he noticed parked outside- some had families, some wives and others girlfriends waiting for their men to return with money to carry on enjoying themselves. He shifted his attention back to the counter and noticed a familiar face. “Mr Danja” Nathan called out as he passed by him after being attended to, he looked shocked and without responding walked out in a hurry. At first Nathan didn't notice but just wondering why Danja reacted like he saw a ghost when he saw him looked back at Danja and noticed something that eluded him the first time- Nathan had the same bag Nala's ransom money was put into. Curious he followed Danja who walked rather briskly. Just when he was about to open his car door he noticed Nathan walking very fast towards him. Considering he might not make it out with his car before Nathan caught up with him took off on his heels.  . Nathan noticed as he ran past Danja’s car the female companion wasn’t even his wife. All along the security in the bureau de change had been aware of Nathan move and had alerted the police within the vicinity and they were already on their trail.

Noticing the commotion at the entrance of the money converters as everyone inside scrambled outside holding their bags and pockets to avoid losing their money so they could catch a glimpse of the men running and the security shutting the doors of the building behind them, Dawana searched through the crowd of men and didn’t find Nathan. She attempted to peak through the glass door but was blocked by the security men. Describing Nathan to the security man she asked if he had seen her husband, but he just looked above sending a signal and soon she was surrounded by police men.

The chase continued with neither of the men backing down. Too sure Mr Danja had something to do with Nala’s kidnap because that was without doubt the bag he put the money in he chased after Danja rigorously. Not wanting to be caught Danja tried his best to run with the weight on his shoulders. Unable to keep up, Danja noticed Nathan edging closer to him, dropped the bag down and continued running. Nathan stopped by the bag, opened it saw some money but still kept searching the side pockets and found the Receipt from the exchange

Amount-$42,000

Exchange rate- N179-$1

Amount received –N7, 518,000

“The exact amount “he said after reading the receipt “You are finished Danja” he screamed on top of his lungs. “an extra N18,000 On top ”Nathan thought  as he raised the bag up, suddenly he felt overwhelming  pain on his back he staggered and tried not to fall but he felt the pain again and couldn’t  bear, he fell to the ground. Immediately he was jacked up by two powerful hands and turned to face the third person. “Where is the second Man?” The man who appeared to be a policeman asked. “He ran away” Nathan replied dazed from the hitting. They had run quiet a distance from the bureau de change and after a few minutes a police car arrived and he was pushed into the car his wife and children where in same car too.” you can’t do this to my kids” Nathan begged them but they refused to listen, then he pleaded to make a call but the police refused stating there was nothing that could be done until after the holiday. The Christmas only became worse as they spent the night and the Boxing Day in the police cell.

Finally on the morning of the 27^th Nathans boss arrived at the station shocked at what was revealed to him that morning by Nathan’s call, “Danja managed to escape town but nabbing him would not be much of a problem the police are already onto him”. Nathan’s boss informed him and his family as he led them out of the police station into the company’s guest house he felt so sorry for what had befallen them and wanted to do his best to help them recuperate from the incidence. “What demon possessed Danja to make him act this way?! It’s unfortunate but I will be honoured to have you back at the company I promise great day are coming your way with us. I believe the money is intact. I will take that to the office now and you can call the guy who bought your house for the refund of his money” the boss said. “The house money is short of $4,000” Dawana chipped in. “That has to be from the police station” Nathan said in a defensive manner. His boss smiled and said “doggy as ever this police men. Every amount you have paid previously will cover up for that, I will see that you are refunded before the day runs out. Ok! Taking my leave now” Nathan walked his boss to the door and gave him a handshake “thank you so much sir” he said. His boss Smiled nodded his head and left. Shutting the door behind him he sighed and stretched out his hand to his family and they ran to hug him back.

                             

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