KASARACHI
Kasarachi - Episode 11
(Tell it to God)
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
I have just arrived at the bus stop at the city of Lagos feeling very tired and famished.
It was a long hour journey on the road which wasn't so pleasant at all following the bad roads and few breaks on the way.
As the driver informed us that he had arrived and we should disembark from his vehicle, I breathed heavily as realization hit me that I am now on my own in this place.
I clung tightly to my bag as I dispersed from the bus along with other passengers that boarded the bus from the village park.
Coming down, my mouth went agape on its own as I saw new happenings and people that were moving about tirelessly.
Glancing around the busy road of Lagos as I walked, I was so fascinated by the strange things I was seeing with my eyes.
If not that we were taught in secondary school about some city things, I would have completely resembled a johnny just come (JJC) without an idea of what to expect.
Everything and everyone looked strange and was completely different from what I was used to in the village.
A large number of people were either walking or doing something while completely minding their business. Nobody seems to care about the next person walking beside him or her.
Shops were almost everywhere. Most of which were large and filled to its brim, while some were small and scantily stocked.
Cars were busy moving to and fro on the road making it hard to cross unlike in the village that the road is so easy to move on.
I saw so many buildings; big, small, moderate, fine, ugly, and shabby looking.
There were abandoned vehicles littered by the roadside as well. Smoke from gathered burning wastes filled some places.
After feeding my eyes for a while, I tucked my hands into my breast pocket to bring out the small paper mama had given me which has the address and phone number written.
Since I didn't know the address written on it, I decided that it was best to ask for directions from the passersby.
I stopped about three people to ask questions but they simply looked at me and rudely walked past without answering me.
It was getting dark and I wouldn't want to sleep outside here on the road after hearing how dangerous it can be in the city.
I asked a few more people and the last two people were kindhearted enough to give me a response. The first one was from a man and the second one was from a lady.
The man's answer wasn't so understandable, that's why I had to ask another person so I wouldn't get lost. It was the last lady that gave me a detailed response on how I could get to my location.
According to the kind lady, it was about a twenty-five minute journey which would require that I board a taxi to take me there.
She even told me the amount I should price and pay the taxi driver, so I won't be exploited by drivers who prey on the naivety of first timers to overcharge them.
I thanked her profusely for her detailed description and then she went on my way leaving me to myself again.
I sighed tiredly as I walked over to the side of the busy road and flagged down a taxi. I showed the taxi driver the address on the paper and he said he knew the exact place
We agreed on a price, after which I sat down on the passenger seat of the taxi and he began driving to the location.
Sitting beside the window, my mind was wandering as I looked out to see the activities that were happening on the road
My mind soon drifted to yesterday's incident at Ekene's compound in the village.
That is what even prompted me to finally accept coming to this city after I first refused despite Mama's persuasion.
My God! It was so painful honestly and it hurts even till now!
It's unbelievable yet it is what it is
My boyfriend for close to a year I can recognize his voice anytime, if not I would've doubted. so I knew for sure that it was him when he began talking..
From their quiet conversation, I got to find out the girl was my cousin Cynthia.
Cynthia's words were the ones that shocked me most when she said that she wouldn't allow Ekene to sleep with her again after that day, unless he breaks up with me.
Nothing prepared for what Ekene said as a reply to Cynthia's statement.
He told her that he had already ended the relationship with me, so she doesn't need to worry. He further said that he regretted leaving the s£xual escapades he had with her to date me Kasarachi in the first place.
That's not even all. Ekene went on to say that he was only chasing after me simply because I told him I was a virgin,
And he was hoping to be my first so he could have what to brag about with Nonso.
That now I've turned him down, he doesn't see the use to continue wasting his time in a relationship with me, especially when he has no intentions of settling down with a fatherless woman from a poor background.
I di£d and resurrected again to hear Ekene say such ruthless things about me.
I was frozen at the spot and couldn't move.
I held onto the wall and remained still as my legs began to shake when Nonso joined in the conversation with a hushed voice
Nonso said that he couldn't imagine marrying a clueless village girl, when there are millions of sophisticated women in the States.
I heard Ekene say that he trusted Nonso to fling me away from his house immediately he has had his s£xual fill of me. Nonso agreed that he would have dissolved the marriage in two months or if I was too sweet, then he would have extended it to be three months.
Ekene was chuckling while saying that he wasn't even surprised that they agreed to sell me out over a few pieces of food items and fake promises of going abroad, since obviously I was worthless to my relatives.
Tears freely dropped from my eyes as I realized that this family could have almost succeeded in exploiting me because my father wasn't alive to defend me.
It was very painful to absorb everything I had just heard.
The truth hurts! that Ekene never truly loved me from the very start. God!
I was broken deep within me and the tears just kept flowing endlessly.
My legs felt so heavy to be moved but I thank God that I managed to leave that place and walked home.
I cried myself to sleep last night and this morning I told mama that I am ready to take her advice on leaving the village.
She was surprised but at the same time very happy. She wanted me to start the journey tomorrow but I insisted on going today.
I don't think I can stay for one more day in the village without having the thoughts of either harming Ekene or confronting him.
Mama tried inquiring why I was so eager to go today when I was the same person who was reluctant at first. I told her it was nothing and she decided to let it slide.
With her approval and blessings, I had gone in to arrange my clothes and a few foodstuffs I think I will need into a bag.
Mama gave me part of the money she's been saving which was a total of eighteen thousand six hundred naira (18,600) aside the transport, She gave me tons of advice before hugging me with tears dropping from her eyes.
Uncle Okafor is the only person amongst our relatives who has a phone and I have his number in my head.
I begged mama to stop crying and promised that I will use any phone in the city to communicate with her through uncle, at least until I can afford a personal phone.
Mama cleaned her tears, prayed for me, and advised me to take care of myself and stay out of trouble which I promised to do so.
My own emotions were all over the place when it came to the point of saying goodbye to my siblings; Osinachi, Judith, and Chika.
They were crying especially Chika and Judith who never wanted to leave my dress.
Remembering this particular part, made the drum of tears open from my eyes and I began crying so much that the taxi driver had to ask me what was wrong.
I ignored his question and continued looking out of the window after cleaning my tears and sniffing my watery nose.
I know that I am going to miss my family so much. Infact I miss them already but I need to find a headway for our family.
Since Ekene called my family background a poor background, I'd love to change that narrative for the better.
I eventually left the village for this city early this morning after promising my siblings that I was going to be coming to visit them at the end of every month.
Mama and Osinachi had escorted me to the village park with my bag. They waved me goodbye and then the bus drove away.
In my heart I am praying for God's protection upon my family in the village and I'm hoping to see them very soon.
I hit my head on something which abruptly brought me out of my reverie into reality!
Turns out that the driver drove into a pothole which was quite deep.
Such that it shook me and then I had to hit my head hard on the window.
After that, he must have probably missed swerving the brakes properly because it led to a collision with God knows what!
By now, many people around the area were screaming and running to cluster around our taxi. I don't seem to know why.
I just hope this taxi man has not gotten me into trouble.....
(Do not take credit or Plagiarize AMAH'S HEART stories)
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