SOCHIMA
Sochina – Episode 4
Theme: My Only Sister
Written by Ndozi Nuellitta
ANNETTE alighted from the taxi that had stopped right in front of their gigantic iron gate
She was returning from the market
She walked to the gate, clicked the lock and yanked it open
Then she walked in, closing it back
The heat was much and the sun, hitting with full force
She cleaned sweat off her forehead with her face napkin
Walking towards the house, she met Sochima by the entrance
“Hey sis, you are back”, Sochima said
“Yeah”, she replied, going into the house
Sochima stopped her
“Guess what big sis”, she said, twisting her lips
Annette looked dazed and confused
She shook her head
“Can’t guess, what’s it?”
Sochima remained silent for a while, then she sighed
“Well, daddy just checked out your results….”, she paused
Annette’s eyes widened in fear and anxiety
“And you passed”, Sochima rushed her words
“Ohhhhhhh”, Annette shouted and jumped on her sister
“Oh my God, you serious?”, she asked
Sochima smiled
“Yes sis, you passed. Congrats”, she shook her hands
“Thank you, ohhhh”, she shouted and ran into the house
***************************
Timi opened her eyes to see herself lying on a mat, and tucked in a sheet
Where was she?
Oh, it dawned on her
She was in the shop
She stirred and turned, Peter was standing by the doorway
Peter noticed that she had woken up and he walked up to her, and squatted to her position
“Hey, you are awake”, he said, taking her left hand in his
Timi didn’t say anything, she just looked at him with angry eyes
He had slapped her and she fainted
Peter noticed the anger and shook his head
“Look I’m sorry for hitting you okay? I’m sorry, I’m not the type that hits girls, but you got me so pissed off”, he rushed his words and sighed
She kept looking at him, and then she withdrew her hand from his hold
Peter heaved a sigh
“But who’s Fred? Just tell me who he’s”, he asked
Timi kept silent, and then she turned away from him, not ready to provide any answer
Peter sighed and ran his hands through his hair, then he got up, and walked out of the shop
**************************
The family was celebrating Annette’s progress in the exam
They were at the dining watering their gullets with chicken and soft drinks
Mr Chike, Annette’s father had gotten the chicken frozen, on his way home from the travel, and so it was prepared for the celebration
Annette was more happy, passing the exams guarantees her being close to Fred at the university
But then the thought of Timi hit her, they were already dating
She shrugged and put the thought behind her
Fred was hers, she knew it
Soon Mr Chike got up and left the dining, he was through with his eating. His wife got up and followed him
It was now Annette and Sochima that were left
Annette watched as her sister nibbled at her chicken and she laughed
“You eat like it won’t get finished”, she said
Sochima smiled, still nibbling
Then the doorbell rang and Annette sprung up from her seat
“I thought the doorbell isn’t working anymore”, she said
Sochima shook her head
“Well daddy got it working. Go check out the person at the door”, she said
Annette looked at her and stood up, there wasn’t time for arguing who should go check the door and who shouldn’t
She walked out of the dining and to the door
Her parents were already in their room
“I’m coming”, she said as the doorbell kept ringing
She opened the door and saw Peter standing
Huh?
When had he ever visited when they schooled let alone visiting now when they had finished schooling together?
She was shocked, and so she came out to stand with him outside and closed the door
“Yeah? How may I help you?”, she asked, they stood by the window
Peter put his hands into his trouser pockets
“I know it’s a surprise seeing me here for the first time”
Annette nodded
“Yes”
“Well, I came for a favor”
She looked dazed
“A favor? What kind of favor?”
Peter heaved a sigh
“You came to Timi’s shop not to long ago, and you said something about Fred, please who’s this Fred?”
Annette was now confused and dazed, Fred?
Yeah, she was at the shop, but didn’t remember saying anything about Fred
Besides why would she? When Peter was present?
No, she couldn’t have done that
She looked at Peter
“I think you are wrong somewhere, yes I was at the shop, but I didn’t remember mentioning Fred”, she said
Peter’s mouth fell open
“You didn’t?”, he asked
“I didn’t, I don’t even know the Fred”, she said, confused
But Peter was sure, she had said it
Or maybe she was led by a force to say it, so he could know he was being cheated on
He shrugged
“Well, it’s okay”, he said
She looked at him
“I’m sorry I don’t know what you are talking about”
“It’s ok, no problem. Thank you”, he turned and left
Annette only nodded, she couldn’t say anything. She was confused, as she watched him leave
How could she have talked about Fred in Peter’s presence?
She shook her head and went inside
As soon as she entered, a message popped up on her phone
She looked at it, it was from Timi
She ran her eyes through it with speed and she cringed
“Count yourself lucky if matter doesn’t escalates”, the message read
Fear gripped her, but she hadn’t said anything
What’s all these problem?
She shrugged and went into the dining
*************************
Peter walked back into the shop thinking
He thought Annette had mentioned Fred, of course she did
That was why he slapped his girlfriend
But with the manner with which Annette had replied him, seems she didn’t know when she had said it
Something must have propelled her to do that
He made up his mind to know who this Fred was
So Timi had the guts to cheat on him, he must find out the guy and tell him to keep off
Yes, he must
He got to the shop and walked inside
He met Timi fast asleep, looked at the table and saw her phone, he smiled
He looked back at her, she was still sleeping and he stealthily walked up to the table, took the phone and went outside
************************
As soon as Peter had walked out of the shop, Timi sprang on her feet and walked to the table where her phone laid
How dare Annette? How dare she?
Hmm, seems she wants to die
If she can’t have Fred, then no one would
Peter should go to hell for all she cares, she needed Fred’s money so badly
She smirked and took her phone, instantly sent a short and simple text to Annette, dropped the phone and walked back to the mat
She laid down and Peter entered instantly. She immediately pretended to be fast asleep, and so didn’t see what he was doing
ter took the phone and opened it, thank God, she hadn’t changed the password
He wanted to go through the contacts and spot out Fred’s
Just then, a message popped up, he opened it, it was from Fred
He smiled and went through it
“Let’s meet tomorrow afternoon at Ultimate Frisbee, look your best. Much love”, it read
Peter smirked and noted the points, then he walked back to the shop.
