Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Chapter Two

“How nice, watch out for those mines,” Matron warned. “But Imara will really miss you”. She paused. “I must say she is very handy with the small children and her intelligence which paid off well.” “She cleared all her papers at the last school certificate Examination” Miss Bella added “Thank God for that, if she had not settled down we would have sent her to the remand home for girls as a result of the trouble she was causing”. She placed her bottle of mineral carefully on the side stool. “A slight problem has come up are you aware?” Miss Bella asked. “About what” “It concerns Imara’s father he will shortly be released from jail. He is a very bitter man and permanently maimed by the bullet wound he had while being arrested by the police. “Her step father you mean?”. Matron corrected. “Cause her father died in the Rapid Falls Civil War.” “is that so? Poor girl no wonder she’s like that” Miss Bella said. “If so then he doesn’t have any right to take them home.” “Well unfortunately yes because he’s listed as next of kin,” Matron pointed. “But to make things easier let’s ask Imara what her position on the issue is” “Is Imara not aware of all these developments? “Miss Bella asked. “I’m afraid she’s not that’s why l suggested calling her to give her a run down, of the situation. Matron nodded and sighed. “Oh dear, she said, what kind of future lies ahead for her then? If her step father came to claim her and she’s willing to go then l shall let her go without delay.”

“Of course, yes,” replied Miss Bella, and most of our hard work would have been for nothing. Anyway let’s call Imara to hear her opinion.”

Imara was sent for and informed of developments. “I shall go with him.” Imara replied calmly. “But please let my twin brothers remain with their foster parents, l don’t want them to suffer anymore –“ “What about you? “Miss Bella interrupted. “Don’t worry about me, l’m more matured and can take good care of myself.” “Hmmn, “the matron sighed. “That settles it you can go back to your duty.” Imara smiled mischievously as she left the room. I won’t be sorry to leave the service and the country now that l’m sure Imara would be well taken care of.” Miss Bella said. “I know” Matron replied. You know she had been my main source of concern, “Miss Bella had continued. “Yes, you’re right,” Matron nodded her head in agreement. “Ma, will you say goodbye to Imara for me? I don’t think I can face her”, Miss Bella concluded and left the room with tear drops in her eyes. Thus Imara’s only friend in the home was preparing to abandon her. She had been the only one who had showed love and care for Imara buying clothes and snacks for her and comforting her in the orphanage home. After her meeting earlier with the matron, Imara had waited anxiously for Miss Bella at the corridor. Then a part of their conversation had drifted to her and she had moved away deep in thoughts. Imara moved to her room, suddenly, she folded her long legs and her long arms hugged her well. This is my chance to leave this hell hole and move on with my life, she said to herself. Foolish people, they think l’m an idiot to go home with that animal who calls himself my step father. Poor ladies they are in for a big disappointment little do they know that l’m thinking fast and ahead of them all. They don’t know this is my way of escape from this dungeon called Orphanage Home. Throughout the week, Imara was a changed person doing all her chores without any arguments. She was friendly too to the other children in the Orphanage. “Imara you’re really excited about going home, “Matron observed.” You’ve suddenly changed and have become a nice and sweet girl. “Thank you Ma,” Imara replied cautiously in other not to give herself away. “Pardon my asking but l’ve not seen Miss Bella since the week began,” Imara observed. “Sorry my dear but Miss Bella has gone to Irak as relief worker”. Matron replied. On seeing the look on Imara’s face “Don’t feel bad she said she could not face you so l promised her l would tell you.” Imara smiled serenely, “It’s just that we were such good friends and she helped me a lot in settling down in the Orphanage,” Imara said. “My child l understand your feelings, “the Matron began “… but you see Miss Bella was merely responding to the call of duty”. “Well l shall miss her terribly. “Imara added. “We’ll all do” the matron concluded and walked away. Imara adjusted to Miss Bella’s exit faster but it was due chiefly to the fact that she had concluded plans that will get her out of the orphanage which was her consenting to go with her step father. The second factor was the additional responsibilities given to her by the Matron because of her maturity. At night, Imara was dormitory prefect, in the morning she assisted in minding some of the babies even smacking or petting them as the need arose. With her brown eyes always on the alert, Imara kept things in good shape and made sure she was very indispensable. She grew big and strong and very capable. That last year at the orphanage proved to be the happiest of her years. In spite of the dullness of the environment, the chores that she performed repeatedly she never complained thus giving a picture of having adjusted to the demands of an orphanage home. To the matron, it was obvious that the girl was tremendously changed but she still feared the kind of future she would have with her step Father. One Sunday afternoon after lunch, as Imara sat near a window munching an apple and gazing towards the main gate, a clean taxi cab painted green and white pulled up in the parking lot. There was something vaguely familiar about the man who disembarked. I guess it’s a face in the past. Imara said to herself not being able to place the face. As she observed, the man walked slowly as if in pain, learning all the time on his walking stick for support. As she ate her apple, Imara surveyed him dreamily she was not perturbed. Probably the father of one of the children coming to take his child home, she decided and dismissed him from her mind. Not long after, matron hurried down the corridor with an anxious look on her face, “Imara: she called, “You’ve got a visitor,” She said “Where’s he?” Imara asked. “Come into my office and you will see him” Matron said casually Imara got up from her seat and followed the matron into her office. Just inside the door the man she had seen walk up the drive came towards her. “My dear Imara, how l’ve missed you,” he cried Imara looked at the man whom she recognized now as her step father prison had not been kind to him at all Imara observed. He was older than his age with plenty grey hair and wrinkles on his face. “That’s my stepfather, Imara announced. So when did you come out of jail? “Her stepfather smiled, “let’s not talk about that, l’ve come to take you all home,” he began. Imara wanted to speak but she held her peace to hear all that her stepfather wanted to say. “I’m sorry for what happened to your mother, l want to take you all home and give you a good life. I’ve made a nice comfortable home for all of you”. With her earlier conceived plan still imprinted on her mind Imara decided to speak. “Listen! I’m the only one left now my brothers had been adopted by a nice couple in Port City and they’re gone so forget about them---“.

“We can bring them back” he said. “No leave them alone’” Imara thundered. At this point matron had become slightly annoyed, straightening her back more than usual. “I hope you have the necessary papers to take Imara away,” She said tersely. “You know she cannot leave without the correct authorization” Matron had hoped that Imara would see the point that she was trying to make and take sides with her. But she was wrong because Imara too had her own plans and no, for they were moving accordingly. “Yes, talking about papers, here is the authorization for the three of them but since she’s the only one left l guess I’m left with no other choice.”

“It’s alright l shall go with you, “Imara said Matron could not believe her ears. “Did l hear you well? “She asked in total astonishment. “You heard her well – get her things ready we’re leaving now.” Her stepfather said. “Hey you don’t get too excited that l am going with you, one false move and l shall return to the orphanage before you finish spelling your name,” Imara said. “Trust me, l’m a changed man,” her stepfather said. Matron gave up further attempts to discourage Imara from going, father and daughter were determined and besides Imara was not a child any more also her stepfather just came back from jail was indirectly looking for someone that would take care of him. Matron packed Imara’s belongings in a traveling bag and accompanied them to the parking lot to say goodbye. “Mr. Man, “she began addressing Imara’s stepfather. “Remember we’ve got eyes everywhere any maltreatment of this child the Social Welfare will descend on you like a hawk”. “There will be no need for that, “her stepfather replied. As the taxi drove off, Matron waved her final goodbye, there were tears in her eyes. She had come to love this hardworking and intelligent child, and so the parting had not been easy. Wearing a blue adire dress, Imara sat in the left corner of the taxi cab scowling at her stepfather for the misfortunes that he had brought on them all. “Imara just put all that has happened behind you and let’s face the future which is more promising” her stepfather said. “Tell me, have you ever lost a brother in your life? Imara asked. He did not answer. At five minutes to one o’clock in the afternoon they drove past what used to be the tollgates at Samoa. Immediately Imara began to look out for familiar landmarks knowing that Water Side was a few minutes drive away. “Don’t bother we’re not going to that home any more”, her stepfather said. “Why? “She asked aggressively. “Too many sad memories, he replied. “No thanks to you, Imara added making her stepfather to wince as if he had just been stabbed.” I have secured accommodation in a better and cleaner area that befits a sweet girl like you, “he said smiling. “Good for you but don’t get funny ideas into your head”, Imara warned. They both stopped talking for a while which enabled Imara to navigate the route that the taxi was following. At this point, Water Side lay behind them and the taxi was still going on. “We will soon be home,” her stepfather said. Imara sat back and stopped looking, as the taxi come to a halt in one street corner. Her stepfather’s new home was in Fenton, it was a two bed room flat overlooking a compound with many rooms popularly known as ‘face me I face you’. Imara’s first impressions of her new home were beautiful blinds and the smell of cheap air freshener. “Welcome home,” her stepfather said beaming with smiles.” It’s not much but l guess it’s far better than the Orphanage.” “Who told you? What makes you think the Orphanage is not far better than living in a two bedroom flat in suburb called oshodi,” Imara challenged. “I’m sorry come on let’s get something to eat. Later that evening her stepfather made an attempt to have a peace talk with her. “Imara, Imara, he had called. “Yes, she answered. “I am very sorry for all the pains that l’ve caused you and your brothers. It’s so unfortunate that your brothers were adopted before my release from jail. I would have loved to take care of you all – “ “it’s even good, “Imara said interrupting. “The Orphanage would not have agreed because you’re not even strong enough to look after yourself. “You’re mistaken. I know you must be missing them but l promise you l shall make life very interesting and only the best in life will come your way” he vowed. “Ha ha,” Imara laughed sarcastically. “A better life indeed, you beast if you think after killing my mother and then trying to deceive me all in the name of peace talk will get you anywhere then you need to have your head examined.” “No Imara! You’re wrong...” “Tell that to the winds, “Imara snapped interrupting him. “Look at you, a cripple. How do you intend to better my life?’ She asked. “Is it by going to the streets of Port City to beg for money or by sitting at home and getting yourself drunk, so that you get under my skirt? She asked scornfully. Her stepfather was silent. “Well then you must be ready for a real hard time from me. You beast, you brute, l hate you with al my heart and if not for fear of the law l would have poisoned you so you can join my mother in eternity, “she concluded running out of the parlour. “No Imara, wait, come back l’m very sorry, l shall make it up to you,” her stepfather shouted at her departing form. Moments after Imara had disappeared into her room her stepfather remained in his seat staring absent mindedly at the colour Television in front of him. The peace talks had been a flop; this is not how l intended it to be. Here was he trying to make peace with the same girl he had cursed for not having sex with him. He could understand the pains of the past but he was well equipped financially to make amends no thanks to his shady past. He smiled to himself making amends would be possible if only Imara would let him be a father to her. I won’t give up trying, he vowed. The dawning of a new day found Imara’s stepfather ready to try another move in a bid to win over his naughty stepdaughter. Imara”, he called. “Here’s a cheque for Twenty Thousand Naira, use it to buy Form for the university”, he said. For a while Imara stared as if she had seen a ghost. “Go on take it”, he cajoled. “Where did you get the money? She queried.” “It doesn’t matter, just take it and buy the form” he replied. I don’t believe what l’m seeing” Imara remarked. “You know presenting a fake cheque in the bank is a big offence? “Imara queried. “It’s not fake and there’s money in that account my share out of a business transaction some years ago, “her stepfather said. “Okay l shall take it, the account is not mine after all”, she observed. “There will be no problems, “he said. “While you go to the bank, l shall be going to the hospital to keep an appointment with the doctor.” “Bye”, Imara said without emotion. “I hope you die there,” She added out of his hearing. Imara didn’t know whether to cry or to laugh at the turn of events she had racked her brains on how she would raise money to run away and now this moron of a stepfather had played into her hands and given her a cheque for this princely sum. Maybe he had plans for her but she was not going to wait to find out. She had different plans for a future of her own. She had tried desperately hard to acclimatize herself to her new environment and family but she found that she hated her stepfather increasingly each day for what he had done to them and for thinking he could buy her love with his cursed money which he had gotten through dubious means. She disliked him for sending her mother to an early grave, that she had agreed to follow him was because he was her ticket to freedom more so, with the departure of Miss Bella to Irak Imara now pretended to be at peace in her new home but her mind would tick over as she made plans to escape from the domestic web she was caught in fortunately the cheque had gone through and the cash was now in her possession. That evening and for the first time since coming home from the Orphanage Imara managed a five minute discussion with her stepfather this was an attempt to put him at ease while fine tuning her plans to run away. A week after, Imara left Port City for Pool Town. Her escape had been very dramatic, after successfully putting her stepfather at ease and bringing him to a position of trusting her Imara put her plans into action the next day. On the guise of going to the University Admission Matriculation Exam Office to procure a form Imara who had earlier on moved some of her clothing’s to a safe spot bided her time while waiting for the right moment. “What’re your plans for today? Since l gave you the money you’re yet to buy the form, “her stepfather complained. “I intend to buy the form today” Imara replied. “But you’ve got to move faster closing date is only days away.” Imara smiled, “I will meet up before closing date as you can see l’m ready to go out, “Imara added. “Okay l’m going in to take my bath l’ve got an appointment at Snake Island by mid morning.” “Your water is ready.” Imara told him. ,