BETIDE

The flood of tears moistened her ragged blouse. I watched as she tried to control her sobs and whimpering…she took a deep heave and sighed.But Dad wasn’t sympathetic.

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Dad had insisted that I visit home after the school holiday before travelling to Owerri to stay with Mom for the month holiday. I knew how he took his order; even his kindness plea meant militaristic injuction. Mom had alleged his ballistic obsessiveness had led to their divorce. Yes,mom would talk a whole night throwing blames on him,but on a contrally,Dad is a man of few words—few words but deadly in action.I can’t write him a disciplinarian or a strict adherence to norm,I hate seeing and hearing him roared when one took a little drift off his directives.

When I got home,the house was quite,it was obvious that he wasn't around. I hurried into the kitchen and found a pot of porridge potatoes, mixed with Ukazi leaf and dried fish.Still on my pullover, I put on the gas and warmed up the food. A strange noise got me startled from the backyard,it sounded like a hit on a metal and then a fall of a stainless plate. I took a light breath and resolved it might be one of the stubborn goats dad keeps.

I took enough portion from the pot,sat comfortably in the old dinning table. I have missed such dad prepared delicacy, and I couldn't remember the last time I have ate a potato made porridge with bitter vegetables. I jolted, went to the old refrigerator,the door was stiff,I gave it a kick and it went ajar. I beamed a smile, there's a keg of palm wine,but why would Dad store such drink on a fridge. Laughter stole my limp immediately I saw the fridge wire— is obvious it was cut off a long time ago.

The sound came again, this time like a stone throw on an empty tank. It continued and then a shrill scream followed. I dropped the half filled tumbler of wine on the table and made way through the corridors leading to the back door.The sound was continuous but faint. At the last room before the door,I heard it again,I pushed the door but couldn't open it. I guessed it must be locked from inside. That wasn't Dad's room,that has been a store. I got a sinister feeling, could it be that Dad was there or probably, might have gotten into trouble. I ran into his room and found it open, that got me confused too; the unlocked entrance gate, and his unlocked room,then the sound.

Something must be fishy.

I went inside his room and looked for his hammer, and chisel. I found them beside his old capentry bag lying scattered on the floor. I grabbed the tools and hurried to the noisy room.Though the sound has stopped,but I have decided to find out what could be the cause and apparently,save whoever and whatever it could be.

I was able to open it after several attempt. Lo, I was thrown into bewilderment,the room looked absolutely different from what I knew.The tiles has been fixed on the floor unlike other rooms in the house.There

was an off-white paint on the wall,a piece of cushion,center table and cotton curtains. I walked towards the table,it was obvious someone has been staying in that room,but I began to wonder why Dad haven't mentioned of a tenant living with him,I pray it wasn't the tenants food that I ate.

I was staring at the Johnson's wine on the table when another sound drew my attention.I followed the sound and beneath the center table,I heard it again. I pushed the table out from the center carpet, beneath the carpet was an iron pan designed like a tunnel cover. I pulled it up—aghast,below was a hole, dark and quite. I made haste and grabbed the lantern at the table, and placed a light. What I saw sent fears through my marrow.

I went back to my dad's room,I remembered seeing a stainless ladder there. I pushed the ladder down the hole and with my lantern light, descended down.

My light shined on a figure,chained hand and leg, with the leg chain stocked on an iron rod running from the deck to the ground, which should make it impossible for one to free.At first I was grabbed with shiver and fear,but then, this is my father's house and mine as inheritance in nearest future. I took a step towards the figure—it was a lady on her maiden, dark and chubby. Her mouth was gagged,her eyes blisters and radiates.

I was just about drawing more closer when I heard a sound from the room and then a flashlight.

"Chidube, what are you doing there. Come up here my son"

That was my Dad. I hurried back to the ladder and then found him smiling, whilst his moustache grey and his eyes looking pale and older. He hugged me, releasing me,he gently put back the hole cover and arranged everything back. I followed him back to the sitting room, imagining what could be the woman's offense and the damn purpose of dad for keeping her there.

"But why's he not bothered about what I might think?" I murmured as I followed him.

"Pardon?" He asked and stared at me,the smiles still hung on his face.

When we got to the sitting room,he sat on the single cushion facing the entrance door. I went back to the dinning table,stared at the already cold food and sighed disgruntly.

"How's your exams son?" He broke the while silence.

"Fine Sir"

He nodded,threw his slippers off his feet and heaved.

Dad didn't talk about the hole cell nor the lady,and I chose not to ask, maybe I would try entering there next time. I waited for him to leave the house the next day,but my patience was killed—i waited in vain. I took extreme time to track his movements especially when he has to go close to the cell room. Surprising and funnily enough,he didn't enter the room till night, I was curious and disturbed as well— is'nt she going to eat?

I kept wake the second night.The next day,I felt a tap on my elbow. It was Dad smiling at me with his energetic body at bare revealing a cluster of dark hairs and muscular built chest.

"Got up son" He beckoned and led a way out as I jolted and ran after him. He is good with long legs,I had to hastened to Meet up.

We walked into the cell room,I stood and watched him pull up the iron cover and then lowered the ladder. It was obvious he has gotten there before now because the ladder wasn't there before,we took it off the last time. After he has lowered it,he gestured at me and stepped down while I followed.

She folded her legs while the knee held her jaws.She didn't show any notice of our presence nor a body movement. Dad drew closer and hit her foot with an iron bar he picked nearby. I guessed that must a torture tool because I saw other variety of tools like whip, piece of clothes, hammer,and rope.

She stared at me immediatly she lifted her head. Dad held her hair and then pulled out the piece of clothes that gagged her mouth.She gave a painful moan and shook her head.

"Come closer son. Have a look at this beautiful lady" He kept his hands at akimbo and held a lantern shining at her with his left hand. "Call her Joyce. I met Joyce after your mom left…a year after precisely. I woed her and because I loved her,I sent her to the university. I took every responsibilities of her schooling;her feedings,rent, clothing and every damn fees." He paused and stared at me,he appeared emotional and depressed."I thought I had met a different woman who will feel up the gap created by your mom,but son,I met the daughter of Delilah rather. Have a look at her,she came home and invited me out for a talk…without a fear and sat me down to tell me how she think I appeared low to her level; illiterate and old to be an uncle. Son,she waited after she has collected the Last money for her every project and fees".

I was moved,yes I have been wondering why Dad haven't think of marrying again after the divorce and here was a woman who thought she can outwit the great Ezenwa. Ezenwa might appear semi literate,but his wit is beyond the cleverly of a Cheetah.

"I was depressed"Dad continued" I couldn't sleep a whole week and nearly invite suicide home.The second week I lured her home after I have prepared this cell and here she has been since a year" He smiled maliciously and rubbed his bare chest delightfully.

"What about her family?" I asked.

"What about her family? Who cares son ? She will rote here and if I got tired of her,I will have no option than to drug her mad and send her off the street"

That got me shocked and aback. I stared ardently at him and then stole a look at her.

The flood of tears has moistened her ragged blouse. I watched as she tried to control her sobs and whimpering…she took a deep heave and sigh.But Dad wasn't sympathetic,he didn't seemed to feel empathy at'all.

"You're becoming a man,a small man. I knew you don't understand yet or, probably have a girlfriend by now" he smiled and matched his leg on the floor "but,you can have her to your pleasure, explore her and let her be your whore" He said and drew closer to me handed me the lantern and then made way through the ladder.

I stood transfixed, staring as Dad gradually disappeared. I was left alone, alone to any fate I chose for the young woman. I could see through her eyes,she has lost trust in human and gods,not even in me.Accepting such condition is really killing,I watched and wondered what she might be passing through,yes, I knew the last person she could ever trust was me,the son of her tormentor and Master. I shook my head in disappointment, sluggished towards the ladder and without looking back,I climbed and hurried out of the room.

That night, I fetched enough nightmares; series after every waking and sleeping appeared was her in my dreams.But she wasn't speaking,calm and bittered,her mug written with exasperation,free from revenge but enough hurt. I squatted on my bed,I could see a dim of light on my dad's room,he was actually asleep. I tiptoe to the room, Dad haven't lock the cell room door,that really got me worried,what must he be up to?

I met the ladder as well the way I left it in the evening. I took the lantern and got down to the cell. I found her lying down, curled with her knee folded—it was actually cold in there. I pulled off my sweater and covered her. I guessed she was awake,I wondered if she really sleeps in such awkward position with a chain on her legs and ankles. I squatted close to her,placed my palm on her cheeks and felt a high temperature.i heard her moaned,she must be sick.

The next morning,I hurried out without consenting with Dad. One peculiar observation I have noticed about dad was that Ezenwa has changed,he seemed not to be the commanding man I knew. I came back with a nylon of drugs and met him waiting at the gate. He wore a seductive smile.

"You went out?" He asked and stole a look at the nylon of drugs I held.

"Yes Dad" I replied feeling uneasy. I was afraid, maybe he might querry and get livid with my caring.

"There's no problems. I am going out to inspect a building site for a friend. I will be back late" He said and Walked out , throwing a stick he held up and down the mud.

I dashed inside,dished enough plate of rice he prepared last night and hurried into the cell room.The ladder was still there, apparently Dad haven't gone down the cell since last night. I got down and met her still curled and legs folded.

"Get up and have some food and drugs" I beckoned and lifted her up to sit.

She looked pale,weak and devastated. I had to feed her due to her weak body,the sickness and mental state might have dealt and turned her down.

"I will like to get you free" I whisper to her,but she seemed to be oblivious of my talking. " If I free you, will you forgive my Dad?"

She sighed,stared at me and opened her mouth instead to take a spoon of food I held.

I really need to be convinced,I knew that getting her out means a lot of danger to Ezenwa and an insubordination from me,he might likely skin me. I left without a word from her. I kept checking up on her till the evening when Ezenwa came back. He looked exhausted and didn't say much before he went into the bathroom and then sleep before nine.

I kept wake throughout the night planning,but my fear was setting her free and putting the family at jeopardy. I woke up early before Dad. Ezenwa's room was opposite mine,I was about stepping through when I decide to have a peep at his room. I was bewildered,he wasn't in. I hurried outside and found the gate unlocked,it was obvious that he has left earlier. I hurried down the cell. I have seen where Dad hid a bunch of keys. A day bey,he has sent me to fetch a key for the barn from a bunch of keys hung hiden on the curtains. I grabbed the keys.

"Please spare us if I let you go, Ezenwa is not around…please spare us" I pleaded with her,while she stared at me, maybe she sees me as a foolish son.

Her silence bothered me,I waved the fears,willed and walked up to her, unlocked the chains and held her while leading her to the steps. She took a quick bath,wore my clothes which looked more better on her than on me. I handed her a few currency notes and bid her farewell. Just like usual,she was silent all these while,she smiled at me finally and then walked out. I could see an excitement and freedom written on her face as she passed the gate. She turned, smiled again. I saw tears on her eyes.

"Goodbye" I said.

I waited for Dad to ask after her, maybe to check on her after he came back. He seemed unconcerned and went to bed. I was restless,I wanted to tell him that I have let her go,but my head seemed full…filled with confusion and unnecessary details and jug of fears.

I was still sitting in the parlor when I heard a bang at the gate. I was terrified as the bang continued, followed by flashlights. I hurried to the window and peep through the curtains.Ezenwa was already at my back,he looked at me from his position and then flashed a light at the corridor leading to the cell room as if he was expecting her to walk upt. He took a deep breath,heaved and whispered to me.

"Stay here"

He walked outside.The gate got opened,it seemed the men at the gate had jumped through the fence and opened it from inside. Men trooped in with guns and torchlights pointing at my Dad. I stood transfixed and afraid.

"Are you Mr Ezenwa?" A commanding voice roared among the uniform men.

"Yes I am the one you people are looking for" Dad answered.

I was surprised,how did he knew they were looking for him. Did it mean he already knew about their coming or have a business with them?

"You're under arrest for kidnapping and other Criminal offenses…"

I dashed out and ran towards them. I suddenly stopped as guns moved towards my direction.

"Leave him,he is my son. He was the one that freed her' Dad pleaded. I saw him smiling as the illuminatinon from the torchlights shin on his face.

"Dad" I called as I stepped close to him " I am sorry"

"I know,I had it planned son" He said and rubbed my shoulder." Tell your Mom your visit here was for a good purpose" He muttered and beckoned on the police men to get going.

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I saw her again the next morning at the police station. She looked a bit comfortable as she walked amidst her family. Our eyes met,but she didn’t smile again.. I didn’t expect it though, and I knew, maybe soonest we will meet to hear her own story.

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