A new Dawn is Here

 Let me welcome you to the blog that will take you on a new line creative writing that will help you to see life in different perspectives.

You will appreciate your time on our site.

Once again, welcome.

 

THE BETRAYER

CHAPTER ONE

“My name is Unama. I want to tell you a story about my life. Do not say what does
it mean to me or how is it going to affect me. Read my life story first before you can draw analysis conlusions. I may not be a good storyteller but you must try and follow me,” he told the young men who wanted to hear his story.

Unama was a middle aged man who had experienced so many things as he grew. He was a model to which the younger ones were already using as their yardstick in measuring how far they would want to go when they grow up. To Unama, there were so many regrets in his life the young men never knew. To every successful man, others believe they never had their ups and downs. The only thing outsiders usually see is the rosy part of life whereas the painful could even be more than what the world beholds.

As a young man, Unama grew up in the rural area and was always wishing he could be in the cities to share the glamour. His uncle’s children always made him overbearing whenever they visited the village. Besides speaking English fluently, they were always attracted to every one of both sexes. They look neat with self-confident. He always cherished this and wanted to compete. How could he compete when he was far away from civilization?

Unama was the first male child of the extended family born to Etokidem who was a second son in the extended family structure. The first born, Ini, did not have children early and was not happy his younger brother would be the one to produce leadership in the next generation of the Idung dynasty. He was not happy at all because his younger brother’s son could become the next King of the village leaving his own children as servants of the King. The hatred was inherent in him all the time from the first day Unama set his foot on earth. Gradually, he was thinking of various ways of making Unama unacceptable to others and the desire to bring him down or even see him death, was building in every passing seconds.

One of the ways was to make his children more educated than others so that could serve as a criteria for leadership at all times. As a matter of candid, educated people were taking over every aspect of human leadership now and no one would make a dummy a King. Kings go out on meetings and it could be outside one’s tribal territory. That would mean that the King should be able to understand and speak another language which was English. More so, the King should be able to write and read and whoever would not be able to have these attributes shall no longer be enthroned as a King in their kingdom.

That was a good thought by Ini without also looking at the other values that could disqualify his sons from taking over the throne. Education, yes; but that would never be the all and major point of acceptability. The people had the right to chose who they want and would be able to meet their daily needs of leadership. The villagers would prefer the one who would be able to lead them culturally, customarily, traditionally and westernly. The other three attributes were more demanding and preferable than western educated King. In this respect, Ini and his sons would not be able to know what chiefs do in the palace because they grew outside their terrain. Unama was always loved by the villagers because of charm and charisma. He was sociable and humble. Nobody ever complain about him. He was down to earth a loving young man with great intelligence. His common sense was unquestionable. He was the darling of his people.

As if the plan of his uncle was working against him, at ten years of age, he was yet to register in school because his mother had left his father. His father was not strong enough in health which debarred him of being a good economic winner for them. Unama was the first born and the other two, Edoama and Mfoniso were his major concern. From that tender age, he had to fend with his father for the family. He farmed in its season, weeds in another. He harvest cassava and process it either into garri or fufu for sale. With the money realized from these sales, the father would use for their up-keep while a greater part was wasted in the village bar. Unama was always looking up for an opportunity to prove to others that he was ready to move to the next level. The opportunity struck one day and he grasped it with tight fist.

His uncle came home that Easter period and found him working everyday and decided he should join him in the city. His father was not willing to let him leave because he was fast replacing his wife by doing so much and taking care of his sisters. If he allowed him to go to the city, then he would not be having the freedom to be where he wanted and must work harder to care for the two girls. After a lot of persuasion, Etokidem allowed Unama to follow his brother to the city. It was divine intervention on Unama’s behalf.

The journey to the city was highly fascinating to a complete bush boy which he was. In the car, he admired every part of it. He looked at the door, the glass, the roof and most shocking were the trees that were running round and round. Why were the trees and houses running? He could not understand that and it remained a mystery to him. Even when they arrived at Calabar, the event was still occupying his mind. He needed someone to explain that to him and was not bold enough to ask his uncle.

One day, he went to his cousin who was two years younger than him and told him something was bothering him. He narrated his experience while coming to Calabar. Aniekan laughed at his cousin and told him what he experience was not the trees moving but the speed of the car he was travelling in. The trees remained stagnant but he was moving and the speed of the car reflected on the fast speed of the trees. He told him when next he travels; those trees will still remain there. It was not convincing anywhere, but he had to accept it as he was told until someday when he will be able to discern the actual truth about it.

His joy knew no bounds as he was now a city boy. He had wished to join his cousin the next morning to school. But that was not to be. He had to learn the streets and be able to move around on his own, as he was made to believe. To do that, his uncle’s wife, Victoria, made him to go out early in the morning hawking.

“I was a very ambitious young boy living in the village. When my uncle took me from the village to the city, I thought my life was free from pains and struggles. But it was getting hotter for me in the city than in the village. In the village, I had the opportunity of cooking and sharing foods. At least, we eat until we were satisfied. It did not matter what quality of food we used to eat but we never slept hungry. I started eating when it was time. In the village, who cares about time before he eats? You can eat as many times as possible. That was a great shock to me. Whenever soup was made, I must not make more than one cup of garri for myself. What cup? It was a tin a little bigger than evaporated milk container. An instrument we only used if we wanted to drink garri in the village. These changes were absolutely shocking to me. At the initial time, I thought it was me alone that had that measured garri until I noticed Udeme was also taking the same quantity and never complained. Udeme was my other cousin from my father’s sister, Nene, who had been with them for over four years before he started school as I came. I managed to taste foods instead of feeding in my new environment. As one would expect, I was never a happy person because I had always been going about hungry.

After seven days at home, Aunty Victoria told me it was time for me to go out and know the streets. I was happy because I thought I was going to be taken out by either herself or Udeme. But I was wrong again. I was to go out there alone and sell fufu, the same fufu I used to make and eat at home. We were busy producing more fufu that morning more than normal home requirement. I asked my madam who told me to continue she will tell me what to do next. By seven o’clock in the morning, a tray was loaded with counted fufu. I was then asked to take my bath as I was going out to sell the fufu. Each was costing twenty naira and I was instructed to finish on time so I could come home and take the remaining. I was shocked. I regretted leaving home. The weight of the load was much and I had no option than to enter into streets I’ve never known with a shout, “edep fufu” meaning buy fufu street after street.

The day ended for me at eight o’clock. My toes went sore. But I did not know I had broken someone’s record and set another one. Udeme had never sold fufu up-to four hundred naira before but I sold four hundred and forty naira. With that, I had brought untold delays to myself. The fufu production was gaining new heights and I was successful in its marketing. A year, two, three and there was no news that I was going to change into something else. People around the streets knew me as Fufu Boy. One day, a young boy returning from school made me sad. He asked me passionately why I was not going to school. The answer was available but I could not give him. Only tears ran down my eyes. I looked back and put the blame on my mother because if she was around, my father would not have sent me into slavery in his brother’s house.

I got home that day disillusioned. My uncle’s wife noticed the grimace on my face and hesitated to ask what went wrong. She counted her money and it was complete. At least, her interest was protected whatever issues I had was my business. She asked me to boil water and make eba for myself. I pretended I did not hear what she was saying and went straight into the room without answering her. I did not eat until my uncle returned. She reported me to him and he asked why I was not eating. He was shocked at my response that evening. I just bend my head to show him I was getting untimely baldness occasion by carry hot fufu every day morning till dust. I told him I was tired and wanted to get back to my father as what I was experiencing was not the assistance I heard him told my father. He at first was angry but when he saw that I meant what I said attempted to calm me down. I was not in the mode. I told him his children are in school everyday and when they returned, it’s about home work or extra lessons. I reminded him his children are my cousins. I asked him if I shall remain a servant to him and to my cousins too?

My uncle was angry and brought out a cane and flocked me mercilessly that evening. I did not run away from him until he was satisfied. His children who were becoming fun of me were crying for me. After he ended his beating, I told him the deal is dead and no more shall I subject myself to slavery in a home that was supposed to be my own. I was thirteen then approaching fourteen. For once, his wife did not support what he did to me. I went in and took my bag and he did not stop me from leaving his house that night. I left with no place in mind to go and with no money on me. Fortunately, I was a street boy and many knew me. It was one of my customers that saw me walking aimlessly on the street and called me. I narrated what happened to me and my desire to go back to my parents.

The woman was surprised to hear that I was living with my uncle and be hawking fufu all over Calabar. She promised to allow me pass the night in her house and in the morning she would let me find where I would want to stay. I accepted and went to her house and slept there. In the morning, I started going street by street in search of work. Unfortunately, I could not find anything that day and was afflicted by severe hunger. I got back to the woman’s house and she observed my countenance and asked if I had eaten for the day. The answer was no. She gave me food and I spent the second night with her. My luck came when her friend came visiting and told her she needs a house-help to assist her in her shop. The woman I later knew as Jenny, a divorcee, asked her if she gives her one, how much she would pay. She said she was willing to pay fifteen naira with a place to live. The help would eat twice from her. She then explained to her about me and asked her to promise she would not maltreat me. Her friend promised her and she called on me to meet her and see if I could accept her terms. The terms were accepted by me and I was happy about it. The next morning, I left Uwanse to Calabar Road where I lived and worked.

I was there for two weeks and felt as if I was living back in the village. The woman was not only nice; she was a mother to me. When she paid me the first month, she asked me if I would like to attend evening lessons to help myself educationally. I jumped at the offer. She took me to the evening school where I paid two naira for enrolment and she then shifted my closing time from eight o’clock to six o’clock. The next one week was eventful for me as I had myself too busy all around. From shop activities, I would leave to school and assignments to attend to when I got home. I learned fast and started writing on my books and my madam was keen on seeing me know how to read and write. Madam Jenny was always coming to check on my progress. I was grateful to her.

Madam Mayen’s children were also my teachers giving me their junior books and teaching me how to read. In three months, my madam could not belief what she saw. I was already writing things bought and sold in the shop. She was happy because my responsibility was about to change. I could now receive goods from the trucks that used to bring in supplies. I could write the quantity of what I received and what was in the shop before new supplies. I was happy with myself and gave thanks to God. Within my six months stay with Madam Mayen, my salary had graduated from fifteen naira to twenty-five naira per month.

One Saturday, my madam took us out and bought me dresses. For the first time in my life, I felt loved and wanted. I was no longer a shop attendant but a child in the same house. My liberty extended that I could sleep anywhere I wanted to without being shouted at. I was a darling in the house. My life took shape and became worth living when my madam asked after my father. I told her all that we went through and what I also experienced since arriving in Calabar before meeting her. She told me I could visit my father at Christmas which was sweeter in my ears than heavenly melodies.

Meanwhile, my dear uncle had gone home to tell my father I stole his wife’s money and ran away. Everyone who knew me defended me at my back because I had no symptom of a thief all my life. I was here without knowing what actually transpired between my uncle and my father. My father was at his neck demanding for me. My father told him if I became a bad child, his duty was to bring me back to him and not to cause my escape into a city I knew no one. Home was becoming difficult for him. When things like this happen, some would belief the older person while others would want serious confirmation before they could be convinced the elder lied.

I got home on December 23. I met my father and younger sisters. I gave my father the gifts sent to them by my madam. He looked at it with bad eyes until my immediate younger sister, Edoama cried and asked me why I stole from my uncle’s wife. I screamed at the mention of that and packed my bags to return to Calabar. But before then, I asked my father, “Dad do you belief I ever stole anybody’s property?”

“No son, I would not belief that but I was not there when these things happened,” he said defensively.

“Before I leave this house tomorrow back to Calabar to bring those who rescued me from your brother, let me show you the marks on my body so when he comes again you may ask him what I did that he beat me like a thief.”

I opened my back and my father and sisters screamed at what they saw on my body. I told my father exactly what happened and how he got angry and beat me up. I told him since l left home I had been hawking fufu for his wife while his children go to school. And that Udeme just started school because I was there to replace him. I told my father if his wife comes home and confirmed I stole their money or any other thing, then you should disown me. After he finished beating me, I packed my things and left neither your brother nor his wife asked me where I was going. Only his son, Davidson came after me begging I should not go out into the night. But I had made up my mind to rather die in a strangers hand than my own blood relation. He treated me like a slave while I was yearning for education; he was sending me into the wild street in the city. What ever I would be tomorrow, I owe him my appreciation for taking me out of here but he added nothing to my development.

I slept with a customer for two nights and from her I got the work I am doing now. I work in a supermarket and the owner loves me as his children and I have never given her any cause to regret picking me off the streets. She sent me to evening school and now I can write and read. He allows me to use her children’s study materials and make me feel at home. I earn twenty-five naira every month and spent nothing out of it. She feeds me twice a day and that is always enough for me. If you think I am lying, tomorrow, I would return to Calabar to beg her to come here and tell you about my character. If I were bad to her, would she spend all the money to buy things for you and my sisters? God gave me a mother in her and I am indebted to her and her guidance.

My father was confused and still decided he would follow me to Calabar the next day because he must see his brother and his wife over what I had told him. Fortunately, I had enough money and my Dad too had some money. We left very early to Calabar and got there by nine-thirty in the morning. My uncle had vacated and was at home when we arrived there. When he saw us, his countenance dropped.

“What is he doing here? What do you want here again?” he queried.

“Brother Ini, you came home and leveled gross misconduct and stealing acts against my son and I am here with him to clear issues and you are talking like this. If you insist that he should not come here again, it therefore, means that you lied against him,” my father said as his wife heard voices and came from the backyard.

“Uncle Udom welcome. Unama, why did you run away from us? I was sorry for what happened that night but you did not give me a chance to intervene,” she said with sense of shame not even knowing what her husband had gone home to say.

“My dear wife, since my brother has refused to admit us into his house I am alright here. Please I want you to tell me how much my son, Unama stole from you that warranted my brother beating him to leave marks on his skin I still see after two years?

“Unama did not steal any money from me. He had never stolen anything from this house. He never took what was not given to him. He was a well behave child here. Only that he wanted to go to school but we had insisted he know the city well before commencing his studies,” Victoria said.

“Your husband came home and told everybody that Unama stole your monies and ran away. That is why I came here. Now that you have vindicated him, I would go home with a grateful heart. Thank you so much and God bless you for your honesty,” he said as he dragged me away from the compound.

We went to Calabar Road where I was staying and my madam was shocked to see me after I had left for home. I introduced my father to her and she was happy to see him. She took us into the supermarket and my father thanked him for keeping me. My father told him what his brother did to me and the bad image he gave me back home. My madam told my father she had never had anyone as trusted as me and would not allow anybody run me down.

“Thank you Madam, I can now accept your gifts with a grateful heart. I thought my son bought things for me with the stolen money from my brother. May God bless you for your kindness to my son. We shall be on our way because everyone is waiting for us back home,” my father said.

“Would you not follow me to the house to have a meal?” my Madam asked.

“I am grateful even at the mention. The road would be too busy in the afternoon. We want to be on the road this morning hour to get home on time. He’ll be back very early to do his work. Once again thank you for being a mother to him,” Dad concluded.

Madam gave us transport money and more provisions. We were delighted as we headed back to the bus terminal. We got home and my father did not wait a bit as he sent for members of the family to inform them of what happened when he got to Calabar to see his brother. Everyone was in awe of what they heard.

“My brother came here and told all of you Unama stole his wife’s money and ran away. To God be the glory that his wife used her mouth to deny such in my presence. My brother did not admit me in his house. I stayed outside and had all the discussions. But a total stranger gave me seat and these provisions as a mark of Unama’s good character and diligence. That is what I wanted to inform you about. Sister Nene, your son, Udeme is just starting school now when his mates had graduated. When Ini comes home, he tells us everything with sugar-coated tongue but behind, he does bad things to his own children and blood,” he said.

“I was begging him the last time he visited to bring Udeme for me to see after five years. He said he would but now I know why he would not. As Unama has left, Udeme would return to hawking fufu for them. Not in this life again. After Christmas I would borrow money to go and rescue my son from slavery,” Nene said with anger in her heart.

One after the other, members of the family condemned my uncle’s utterances and lies against me. My sisters and father were now happy I did not stay in slavery all through. They were happy for my progression and God mostly for bringing out a mother to take care of me. They then accepted my madam’s gifts and my token for them. Christmas celebration was on a high note in our house. There was something to eat and drink. There was enjoyment and laughter in the house. We were honestly rejuvenated.

At fifteen I was already a worker. By the time I got back to Calabar, I was ready to test my knowledge acquisition by writing GCE O’ Level. My Madam was behind me and promised if I passed she would help me into the university. That was not my priority because I knew my father would not be able to make meaningful contribution to such a project. All I needed was O’ Level GCE for me to use in seeking a better work and to see how I live well and assist my sisters. If God open a wider door for me, I would with gladness pass through it. I was poised at making myself happy by passing that exam. The moment I filled the forms, my time was no longer wasted as I did more research from any available pieces of paper flying my side. I ask questions from those I knew had passed the exams. My tutorial classes were more meaningful to me than before. My friends in the same class did not understand me at all. My seriousness was sine quine non. I dedicated my time to what I wanted and when the exam came, I did not disappoint.

It was Wednesday afternoon when my madam told me the result of the exam I took was out. I developed cold feet about going to check up. She encouraged me to check the result so I could concentrate on other things. If I did well, good if not, I had a wonderful opportunity to try out the next year. Surprisingly, the result was good for me. Out of eight subjects, only mathematics did I score a Pass. I made other papers B, C and D’s. I was mad with joy. My madam was happy with my progress.

“Now you have mathematics to conquer in your next examination. Meanwhile, I will buy JAMB form for you and Nkese to see who would be first to gain admission. Work hard Unama and God can change your situation easily,” she encouraged me.

I knew I had to prove the world wrong and did not allow these demands to wear me down. I took my lessons normally and did not stress myself much. My revision was empowered by my Madam’s materials for his son, Nkese. Nkese was a boy of about one year younger than me but too tall for his age. He was an adorable young man with high sense of respect. He was jovial and could crack jokes to make a bereaved mother laugh. That was his unidentified talent. He was good at it.

My stay with Madam Mayen was a rewarding experience. Her brothers were too fun of me. They had even wanted me at separate meetings to leave her and live with them. But that was an issue I did not need to think about before I responded. My answers were an emphatic no. I have come to terms with what I was getting with their sister and did not want to start learning new rules in a new environment. I was sincerely happy as if I was living with my biological mother. I did not need anyone else to love me more or less than what I was getting. My future had seemed to be comfortable here until later.

The JAMB examination came and I and Nkese wrote it. The result was flattering because unlike Nkese who used to struggle in his school exams, this result was the best he has ever gotten. His mother owed the awesome result to my competition with him. While he wanted to read architecture, I had applied for law as I had always loved the name, lawyer. Madam Mayen had a difficult task on her hands since she had repeatedly promised me the university education. Now both of us had our results and while Nkese was waiting for his result to be eligible for admission, I had had my own result and law did not rigidly require a credit in mathematics and my P7 seemed to be useful for me. The process started as every parent had to run the campus for someone to help in the admission process.

My Madam was first and foremost seeking admission for her son as would be expected who had no result at hand. Promises were made to her by professor Ukeme. Everyday as she came back home, I never heard her mention my own case. I waited for many weeks before I confronted her with it. She said she will pay my school fees but I must find someone to help me with admission letter as the professor assisting her only wanted to help one person. My spirit was almost dampened after my eye was set in the university. At one point I contemplated about the story I would have told people if everything was working for me the way it was going. Now I was to step up my own search and decision making. But the negative thought came to me asking if I was sure this woman would be kind enough to foot the bill of my education. The answer was no where to be found. But I was hell bent on getting the admission and if I fail to start, I would then know it was not to be.

Meanwhile, my cousin, Aniekan had also written JAMB and was successful. He was to read accountancy. I told my madam that afternoon that I wanted to reach the campus and find out what was going on. She did not stop me because the market was not moving as such. I left with no known place to go or who to look for. It was while I was wondering around that a man stopped me and asked what I was doing in the campus. I did not know him but he told me he knew me from Kinky Department Stores. I agreed with him and told him my plight. He was about to respond to me when another elderly man called on him close to me. He greeted the man as Dr. Johnson.

Dr. Johnson called him aside and asked few questions. I was about to leave the spot when the man asked me to wait a minute. I waited into luck. He asked what course I applied for. I told him Law and he asked for my score which I quickly produced the slip I had printed out. He was surprised and asked me to follow him. Up to this time, I never knew his name or what he wanted to do with me. I was not afraid because I did not have anything to loose if nothing came out at the end of the day.

He entered the administration block and asked me to wait at the reception for him. There were many people there which I believed were admission seekers’ like me. After some minutes, the man the receptionist greeted as Dr. Anyanwu came out and handed over to me my result slip. He told me to go home and pray because the scores are high and he would try what he could to help if it would be possible. I asked him how I would see him again and he told me when he came to our supermarket he would tell me how to locate him. I was confused but believed him and left the campus.

My Madam was waiting for my arrival so she could go to the market. I was surprised when she asked me how far I had gone in the campus. I narrated what transpired between me and a man named Dr. Anyanwu to her. She asked me if he had demanded for money from me which I said no. She wished me well and told me to take care of the shop and if she fails to be back before seven o’clock in the evening, I should lock up and come home. All sales money should be brought home when I closed. I agreed and went in to check how much was in the drawer and told her which she agreed. With the entries made, I began to think about what was about to happen to me. I prayed silently to the Almighty for his grace and sufficiency.