Nneoma!’ 'Aunty,' she responded quietly, unable to smile. ‘Come in, come in,' Ogechi said, taking the former's hand. She led her into her living room. Nneoma dropped her bag on the floor and sat down on one of the cushioned seats.
'You look troubled, Nne. What's the problem? And how is your mother?' Ogechi gazed at her concernedly, subsiding on the adjourning seat.'She's fine, I believe but I'm not so sure.''You are not so sure? I don't understand.''Oh, aunty Oge, I ran away from them.''Ah… Nneoma?'She began tremulantly, 'Pius came home.''Your fiancé?''Yes, he came home for the Easter Holiday. When he called at our house, I was not yet back from school. When I came home, my parents said I should visit them as they desired…''Mmh.Seven years gone by, Nneoma was hale and hearty. She worked as an accountant in a reputable bank in Aba, the second city listed in the world gazetteer popularly called the Enyimba city, situate in Abia State, Nigeria. Courtesy of her uncle who had introduced her to the Utos years ago and her parents, she eventually graduated with a second class upper division degree certificate.Nneoma, through a magistrate law court had for six years formally paid back Pius approximately all he spent on her. And with the approximate last kobo paid, that sad episode was finally closed.Nneoma, in her thirtieth earth year was a raving beauty. She suffered a lot of advances from men which amused, pleased, or irritated her at times. Suitors came her way but she refused them. It was as if she had sworn off men. Her parents were worried. Wouldn't she settle down? Why did she joke with marriage? She was almost thirty! They gave her sermons on the reasons why she should make the most of her
Nneoma arrived her office fully in control of her emotions. With struggles, she had relatively forgotten Richard. As usual, customers filed into the bank for one reason or the other. Nneoma had a busy time tackling her duties. She was working on some figures on her computer when she heard someone say.'Excuse me.'Nneoma looked up and saw a young man with a pronounced floral emblem on his shirt. She understood he was a florist.'Are you Miss Dike?' the man asked.'Yes. Nneoma Dike.''I'm from Claribel, a floricultural outfit.'Nneoma nodded, her eyes going to the beautiful bouquet of pink roses he was carrying.'Someone sent you this bouquet,' he said proffering it her.'Who?' She received the aromatic flowers.'A note accompanies it.' He pointed out to her.Quickly, she pulled out the note from the bouquet and opened it.My Dear Nneoma, I hope you have a nice time at work. Could you join me at La
Throughout the week Nneoma was happy. This was evident in her eyes. She laughed at the slightest provocation. Gladys whom she had told of her reconciliation with Richard was happy for her. Richard phoned her thrice that week. On the third occasion, she was resting on her divan around 20:00 N.T. She grabbed her phone eagerly.'Hello,' she cooed.'Hi,' Richard replied richly. 'How are you?''I'm fine and you?''I'm fine too. So, how was the day?''Enjoyable but I'm tired.''Have you eaten?''Yes, I have.''Why don't you take some pain relievers?''It's not that serious. It's just … it's just…' Her voice trailed off as a yawn over took her. 'I'm sorry,' she apologized chuckling. 'In a couple of few minutes I will feel fine.''You are really tired,' he noted. 'I wish I were there to soothe your nerves.'Nneoma laughed softly. 'What about you? Being at the helm of affairs in your hotel must be trying.
For the next two months, Nneoma and Richard saw a lot of each other. They stayed together most weekends reluctant to part. Sometimes, they dined out but most times they were indoors, enjoying one another's company at Nneoma's residence. They shared jokes, problems and life in general.On Sunday evening, relaxed on Nneoma's settee, they exchanged jokes and funny experiences, the epitome of a happy couple.'I was very fond of having tea and bread for breakfast,' Nneoma told him, eyes alight with amusement. 'And there came a period of bread scarcity in town. Most stores were short of bread. My mother presented biscuits to me in place of bread and I refused because, I normally dunked my bread in the tea so the biscuits did not work.'Richard smiled.'I was around four years old then,' she continued. 'Chika was still a baby. That morning, my mother was busy and I wanted bread by all means. My mother gave me N 10.00 to go to the nearby store and see if they had bread.
The time was 11:00hrs N.T. Richard drove into his parents' compound in Port Harcourt, beside him was his bride to be, Nneoma. They were there for a formal introduction to his parents. The security man closed the gate as Richard drove further into the compound. He parked his vehicle neatly at the drive turning to Nneoma.'Here's our abode,' he smiled.'I can see,' she said softly, gazing at the white duplex, standing grandly in its aesthetic beauty.'Come on, let's get out.' He opened his door likewise Nneoma.Richard was attired in a green brocade mini jumper artistically embroidered. He was as usual posh and elegant. Nneoma was dressed in a shimmering dark blue lacy skirt and blouse, beautifully sown. She wore Richard's birthday gift; the gold jewelry. Her hair was beautifully twisted and a pair of black slippers graced her feet. She was as usual charming. They were still closing their doors when a lady in her early twenties came out of the house, excited,
Anuri arrived her hometown around six o'clock in the evening. In her hand was a black leather suitcase, which bore her clothes, clothes she had not worn for the past four years. Four years of hunger, of pain, and distress. Four years of severe suffering. Yes, Anuri had known suffering, her hair was cut low, her very fair complexion toned down considerably and she was emaciated.Four years ago, Anuri was a raving beauty but the events of the past years had undermined her beauty. Presently, she wore a navy blue formal suit, which, were a bit oversized as she had lost weight considerably.Anuri, a graduate of Secretarial Studies from a Nigerian Polytechnic was twenty-four years old when she got an invitation from her cyber friend, Mrs. Stonehill, an elderly Briton to come to England for a vacation. She had been exhilarated at the prospect and had rejoiced greatly. Mrs. Stonehill had sent her the wherewithal for the journey so all she had to do was to o
Chapter TwoAnuri 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
Chapter ThreeIt was Sunday evening. Anuri sat in the living room watching a Nigerian movie. Suddenly, Christopher who was there with her turned to her.Hesitatingly, he began, 'excuse me, aunty.’'Mmh?’'There's something aunty Ogadinma said that has been bothering me.’'What is it?' She frowned slightly. 'Is it about me?’'Yes.''Yes, go on,' she urged him.'She said that you might have HIV.’Anuri was shocked. 'Wh-what did you say? Goodness gracious me,' she gasped in hurt, her hazel eyes darkening with emotions. 'She said that?’'Yes.’She shook her head. 'How could she?…' Her voice trailed off.'She said that most people who come back from the prison have HIV. That is why she does not let you help in cooking.’Anuri stared into space, her eyes becoming misty. 'Dear me…' This