Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

There followed a spell of silence, “Impossible! I have to be there for him”, Imara argued. “I don’t see the difference your presence will make,” Queen said joining the argument. “Look your presence and actions at the court could cause more problems than good,” Badmus argued, “that’s why Tony requested you stay away for his sake”. Shortly after Badmus had left, Imara continued weeping, “When’ll you stop this weeping? “Queen asked gently,” I know you love Tony but it’s not the end of your life” she added.” Oh yes it is,” Imara said, “and you know it.” “What’s the meaning of that? Please come off it Tony has not married you yet,” Queen said irritated, “so what if you’re pregnant for him? It doesn’t matter after all you’re not the only lady in his life – remember he’s got a wife and kids so don’t kill yourself grow up and get on with your life,” she concluded angrily. This last remark seemed to do the trick as Imara stopped weeping. “Honey nothing’s worth dying for.” Queen added”. You’ve got to be strong” Queen said moving over to her and taking her hand, “are we not eating again?” She asked. “No l’m not hungry,” Imara replied. “Well, l’d better take a bath and get off. Got business to take care of when you’re ready to sleep feel free.” Queen said. Despite the emotional turmoil it did not take long for Imara to stretch her big body on the bed. She slept like a log of wood and did not hear a single sound as Queen came in with two different men, who had a good time ravaging her body. Queen was not concerned with the ravaging of her body, she needed the money to pay her bills and live on, so she was not opposed in doing a three some with the two men who before departing paid Queen a princely sum of five hundred dollars. “we shall surely be back for more”, one of the men said as they drove off. “Any day, anytime I’m all yours provided you drop the usual ” Queen said as she made her way back into her apartment.

It was drizzling when Imara woke up the following morning; she sat up and looked around her. The surrounding was still strange and unfamiliar. There was no Tony to hug her or make sweet love to her, and no uniformed man ringing the bell with a tray of food, no big sized bed, no air conditioner to cool her body, no flat screen television and no view of the big swimming pool with its blue water in fact there was nobody to attend to her needs. Now, she was in a moderately furnished sitting room as guest of the fabulous Queen Kados. She was not amused at her feet that were sticking out at the end of the sofa. She was content to lay there for a while thinking over the events of the previous days. As thoughts of loving moments with Tony flashed across her mind it suddenly dawned on her that the last two days had gone by without the loving touch of Tony. She waved it aside, not now this is not the time to go back to the past. She stood up from the sofa, l’ve got to move on with my life for Tony’s sake and for our baby too, she thought to herself. Imara moved to the tiny bathroom washed and dressed then entered the kitchen. Fortunately it had stopped drizzling, thus making it possible for her to walk down the street to buy bean cakes carrying a tray laden with pap, milk and bean cakes to Queen’s bed room, she tapped on the door, “who’s there?” Come in a muffled voice from inside. “It’s me – o”, Imara replied, “I’ve brought you some pap and bean cakes”. “Come in love”, Queen called out. Imara entered the room which was dark because the curtains were still down. The air smelt of alcohol and cigarette smoke, and Queen lay back on her bed looking extremely disheveled. “Just what l need to kick start the morning,” she sighed gratefully, “I’m very hungry”, she added as she collected the tray from Imara. “I’m not used to waking up this early, love so amuse yourself in any way you deem fit,” she giggled. “I’ve got a lot of washing to do, want to know if you’ve got any dirty clothes to wash.” Imara inquired. “Sure darling, please check the basket in the kitchen” Queen replied politely. “Hmm, this was good,” Queen said handing over the empty plates to Imara. After yawning she turned over to sleep again. “There’s money in the kitchen cabinet,” she grunted,” in case you need to do some buying, but be careful if you go out,” she warned. “You never know these foolish police of ours might still be looking for you,” she giggled again. “Just keep busy love, and get the living room in good shape”, Queen added. When she noticed that Imara looked disturbed by her words, Queen smiled, “darling l’m just pulling your legs” Imara smiled back and left the room. Used to obeying commands Imara got to work, washing the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink, she found the money in the kitchen cabinet just like Queen said. She then went down stairs and walked down the well tarred streets of Brass city. The deserted early morning streets of Brass city were heaven on earth to Imara, who before her escape had known so little freedom even to walk about on her own. Clean morning air, sunshine and leisure. Since she left the reform centre, she had hid herself in Tony’s suite inside the Penon Castle Hotel and whenever they went out it was either in Tony’s car or in a taxi cab. How else could one be careful it was possible that the police and the centre would have forgotten about her now, two years after disappearing she thought l know that Queen is just trying to be funny with me, she said to herself. Well l shall just ignore her remarks and get on with my life. It was bliss with Queen’s basket on her arm, she strolled slowly along the street. In her hand she clutched a red fashion bag, one of the numerous gifts bought for her by Tony. Inside the bag was the money Queen told her about as well as money from Idara, the prostitute from Madira who lived in one of the flats on the top floor. Idara who had really worked the previous night had been very pleased when Imara offered to do her shopping for her, giving her a list and some money Idara had instructed her to keep the change. Then there was also money for a bottle of bertola dry gin from fat Bukki upstairs. “Enjoy yourself and don’t be in a haste to return,” she had declared. Imara strolled non-challantly, from the supermarket to a liquor store eating a bar of mars

Chocolate here, a cream cake there as well as some ice cream. Then she bought a packet of her favourite chewing gum, her mouth moving rhythmically as she chewed steadily and watched the streets filling up with life. Office workers dashed briskly to work, the students too were in a haste to get to school while newspaper vendors moved up and down the streets trying to make an early morning sale as the workers passed by. Imara’s brown eyes caught every detail; she was interested in everything as she walked along. Twice she came across a police patrol team with the officer in front eyeing her suspiciously causing a little tremor of fear to go through her spine as she thought of being caught and taken back to that gloomy abode that was known as home. But to her relief they passed by. It was unfortunate too that the boutique Tony had promised her would not materialize now that Tony was in trouble with nobody to help him out of it, she would take things the way they came, she concluded. After a fruitful shopping spree, Imara returned safely to her place of refuge. Most of the women had gone out while some were still fast asleep. None of them heard her come in, she dropped fat Bukki’s Bertola gin and cigarettes in her sitting room and closed the door quietly likewise Idara’s items.

Then she disappeared into Queen’s flat and packed all the dirty clothes downstairs to do her laundry work. The week passed quickly as Imara shopped, did laundry work as well as wash and mop the tiled fitted floors of their kitchen and bathroom. Imara who was in the fifth month of her pregnancy, for wanting of something to do was quite content to open and close Queen’s boutique shop for customers who came and went. All these tasks, Imara did willingly without grumbling. “She’s not saucy you know?” Idara growled to Bukki. “Yes and she doesn’t argue either, unlike some of those stupid girls we had here”, Bukki replied. “I really feel sorry for her,” Idara said,” on Thursday, her husband will appear in court and she was asked to stay away because of the first wife.” “That’s rubbish” Bukki began, “why’ll they ask her not to come because of the first wife is the man ashamed of her?” she queried. “If she says she’s going, then we’ll all go with her to support her. She has to know the outcome of the case so that she can plan her life as well as the baby’s”. Idara said with feeling. “Anyway, Queen has done well for her so far, taking her in and all she’d advised her to get rid of the pregnancy during the fourth month and move on with her life without the man…” “But it all fell on deaf ears and any attempt to bring it up again only brings out her other side, “Bukki added. The two ladies shook their heads in sympathy for Imara and the difficult position that she was in. “No man’s worth waiting for in this life,” Idara said with a sigh. “Well she’ll come around sooner or later! She won’t continue like this,” Bukki replied.” I can assure you”. “Only time will tell how right you’ll be, but right now we must stand by her and support her,” Idara said. “That’s what we’re doing already and l’m sure nobody’s planning any evil against her,” Bukki countered. “What’s more, like you said come Thursday we’ll go to court with her if she’s going,” she added. Thursday of the following week came up in no time. To other people it was like any other day but to Imara the day meant a lot to her. “Tony’s appearing in court today,” she said quietly l better get prepared to go to court with that Imara rushed into the bathroom to take her bath. “Imara say, you have an appointment somewhere?” Queen asked perplexed. “No Tony’s appearing in court today and l intend to be there,” Imara replied and continued with her preparation. “But Imara l thought Tony sent a message that you should stay away from the-” “From the court,” Imara finished for her. “That’s his business nobody’s stopping me from going to court wife or no wife,” she concluded. “Well no one is going to stop you.” Queen added. At ten minutes to nine Imara was ready to leave, to her amazement she discovered that Queen and the girls were all dressed up. “We’re going with you,” fat Bukki said grinning. “Yes! There’s nothing like solidarity and Tony’s first wife will not stop us from coming to the court,” Idara added. The honking of the horn from Queen’s car cut short their conversation “alright girls let’s go or else we’ll be late for court”,, Queen said. As Queen drove out, Imara couldn’t believe what was happening. Queen and the girls going to court with me She said quietly sometimes it’s good to stand your grounds on something you believe in, she concluded. Arriving the court at a quarter past the hour, they discovered that the case was already on. Quietly they sat down on an empty bench at the back and watched lawyers for the plaintiff and defendant state their case.

It was a hard fought battle but the presiding judge ruled in favour of the National Development Bank and sentenced Tony to five years imprisonment for fraud. Imara was dazed at the outcome of the trial and the girls knowing Imara for who she was acted decisively. “Let’s get out of here”, Queen said with urgency. “Yes let’s go,” Idara agreed with no room for argument Imara followed them meekly into Queen’s car and they drove off. “So they jailed Tony?” Imara began. “Take it easy life has not ended,” Queen said keeping her eyes on the road. “Is that the end of my relationship with Tony?” Imara asked as she began to weep profusely. “Imara it’s not the end of your relationship now,” fat Bukki said.” Yes it’s not you’ll get over it,” Idara added while Bukki and Idara did their best at consoling her Queen drove on, “Remember your condition don’t make things worse for all of us,” Queen cautioned. Imara calmed down just as Queen drove into the compound. “Listen darling it’s not the end of the world,” Idara consoled. “Yes not for you but for me,” Imara replied bitterly and began another round of weeping. Stop that racket at once, l’ve hard enough of your weeping,” Queen shouted at her. “So what do l do now with the baby?” Imara asked. “Wait for him,” Idara suggested sympathetically, “five years not too much”, she added. “No way l’ll not raise a child whose father has gone to prison, get rid of the kid and move on with your life. Forget Tony he won’t come back to you,” Queen chattered on without sympathy. “Enough of the insults” Imara said charging towards Queen.” I love him so much is there anything wrong with that? Besides l can’t do anything to this pregnancy without his consent and he promised to come for me and our baby no matter what”, Imara paused. “Are you sure?” Idara asked. “What’s more, he’d fixed three hundred thousand naira in my account for the baby’s upkeep,” Imara added. “My! My! Somebody has to wake up,” Queen said whistling “my dear three hundred thousand bucks what can it do for you and your baby before the end of his five year term?” Queen asked. “Well l’ll look for a way to see if he wants me to wait for him then l’ll gladly do so no matter how long and l shall think of a way out for my baby,” Imara replied pensively as she stood up to leave. “No matter what Imara we will stand by you all the way,” Idara added. “Irrespective of your decisions”, Idara sighed looking at Queen. “Yes, Idara’s right we’ll stand by you,” Queen concurred as Imara disappeared into the kitchen. The next few months after the court case, Imara lazed around the flat thinking about Tony and paying great attention to her looks. As her pregnancy progressed towards delivery so did her looks continued to charge and despite the stress that came with Tony’s arrest, Imara managed to absorb the shocks and move on with life hoping that things will change in the not too distant future. Since she had refused to get an abortion Queen and the girls had ensured that she went for antenatal check up to ensure that all was well with her. When she was less busy, Imara spent some of her time chatting with the girls and watching them take their drinks and smoke. “Come on Imara join us,” fat Bukki has invited one day. “Ah no, “ Imara had responded patting her swollen stomach. “Who told you it has anything to do with the pregnancy?” Queen asked. With time Imara could not resist anymore and she started joining the girls in smoking and drinking. Imara was always on the lookout for mails because she was expecting a reply from Tony. She had been able to send a message to him at the maximum security prisons where he was serving out his five

year jail term. In her message Imara had assured him of her undying love, the position of their baby and the expected date of delivery.

She had concluded by informing Tony that she would wait for him to be released so that they could continue their lives from where it had been interrupted by the forces of darkness. The message was delivered to Tony by the warder on duty after he had collected his transport fare of one hundred naira. Imara continued to watch our for a reply that was taking a long time in coming on the verge of almost giving up, the much awaited reply from Tony came in one hot Tuesday afternoon. “At last,” Imara said loudly as she tore open the envelope to digest its contents:

“Dear Imara,

Thank you for your letter. I am glad to note that you are doing fine without me. I will like you to know that l love you very much, but l couldn’t help the way things turned up – fate l guess. Please don’t wait for me, get rid of that pregnancy as soon as possible, l cannot take care of both of you as l shall be depending on my wife for my livelihood. Of course your presence in my life will only worsen things for my wife and l. Let’s treat all that had happened between us as history, get rid of that pregnancy fast and get on with your life. Besides l don’t want the baby to start life without a father. So if you truly love me get rid of the pregnancy and finally don’t write to me again.

Love-

Tony.