Episode 11
THE UNDERCOVER🎭
I find it disturbing that Samuel is already demanding br¡bes at such a young age.
“What did you say again?”. I asked to be sure I didn’t misunderstand him the first time.
“I said that this story belongs to Joy Ifunanya you need to give me something”. He said, boldly and fearlessly.
“Something like?”. I still cannot believe my hearing.
“ego naw (money of course)”. He replied, abruptly.
He really knew what he was saying. I thought.
“You want me to give you money”. I asked, still finding it hard to believe.
He nodded.
..You want me to give you money?”. I repeated.
Again, he nodded.
“Brother, see ohh. Whoever it is that is following you must have been hired to do so. And there is no way such a person hasn’t been paid for the job. So if you want me to help you fish her out, I mean fish the person out, you also have to roger me”. He said.
I can’t believe this. A suckling baby of yesterday speaking like a tout.
“Who is this?. Divine, how old are you?”. I asked.
“I’m Samuel. We will be 13 in two months’ time”. He said.
“Samuel, you’re only 12. What could you possibly need money for? You have everything you need here – food, clothes, shoes. You’re too young to worry about money, just focus on being a kid”. I cautioned him. I was going to dismiss him, but on second thought, I paused
“Hmmm…I hummed, glanced around the room and then I noticed a two hundred naira note lying on the bedside table, but I couldn’t remember if I was the one who left it there. I just picked it up and offered it to him.
“Now, take this. Use it and spoil yourself at school tomorrow”. I said.
He looked from the money in my hand to my face, smiled and frowned again immediately.
“Divine, collect this money and get out of my room!. I roared at him.
That did it. He quickly took the money, stood up and started walking away.
from my hand, stood up and started walking away. But when he got to the door, I stopped him.
…Look, I am sorry for raising my voice at you”. I apologized. Though I knew I shouldn’t have, I thought if I wanted him to do a job for me, I shouldn’t be yelling at him.
“It’s alright”. He muttered.
I watched him quietly open the door and left.
I shrugged and went about my business.
At dinner that night, we all ate silently. Celina was present, and she seemed back to her usual self, appearing as innocent as alway, no longer withdrawn. No one would have imagined that despite her innocent appearance, she was involved in premarital s€x, let alone had an ab0rtion. I thought this as I watched her devour her meal enthusiastically… like someone who has just been released from prison.
I looked up and noticed Madam Mary staring at me. She looked away immediately when our eyes met. I wasn’t sure, but I think I saw something like pity in those pair of eyes
What is this one up to now?. I wondered.
On turning again, my eyes met with Stella’s, but instead of her looking away instantly like madam Mary had done, she blinked her eyes in a sedμctive way and smiled.
The spoon fell off my hand and fell into the plate noisily. I picked it up again and continued eating.
Every now and then, I steal glances at Stella. She continued blinking her eyes and rolling her tongue.
Is she purposely doing this or is she doing it accidentally. Or could it be I’m the one imagining things?. I wondered.
I wasn’t moved by any of that. One thing is that I may be everything bad, but definitely not a womanizer. And even if I am, I wouldn’t do it with anyone under my roof.
I tried as much as I could to avoid looking her way, but my eyes couldn’t stay a second without wandering towards her direction.
I looked at Judith. That one was busy with her food. She cared less about anything going on around her.
“This chicken is not well fried”. She complained to madam Mary. That is all she knows how to do. She doesn’t cook, but she complains about every single meal.
“I’m sorry”. Madam Mary apologized to her.
When I couldn’t take it anymore, I stood up to leave.
“Sir, are you not eating again?” That was Madam Mary.
“I’m okay”. I said, without turning back
When I got into the room, I started pacing up and down the room. The thought of Stella filled my head.
I must be mistaken. That was nothing seductive about what she did. Maybe something entered her eyes. I tried to convince myself. Judith entered almost immediately.
“What was the meaning of that?”. She asked as she closed the door behind her.
“Meaning of what?”. I asked, confused.
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about”. She said,
“Honestly, I don’t know what you’re talking about”.
“You think I did see the way you were exchanging eye contact with Stella. You were blinking at her, she was blinking you…”. She went on to accuse me.
“Judith, shμt up!”. I screamed, interrupting her, but she continued.
“Don’t tell me to shμt up!. How could you?. How could you do this to me? My own sister? You’re lμsting after my sister?. What kind of a man are you?”. She quarreled.
“Judith, are you mãd?”. Do you even think before talking?. What do you even take me for?. .I was saying before I realized I was raising my voice so I paused. This story belongs to Joy Ifunanya.
…By now, you should have known that fãt women are a turn0ff for me”. I added, quietly.
She clenched her fist and entered the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
How did she even notice Stella and I?. She seemed less concerned. I wondered.
By the time she came out of the bathroom, I was already lying down. She dragged the duvet from me, put pillows between us and lay down in her corner, facing the opposite side.
For two days after,we didn’t talk to each other and I was happy…for the sake of my mental health. As for Stella, we continued living our normal life like nothing happened.
Samuel on the other hand seems not to be doing a wonderful job as he had assured me he would.
“I’m still on it”. He would say any time I got the chance to talk to him.
One evening, after almost a week,I returned from work to see him sitting outside alone. He looked sober.
“Did you find anything?”. I asked.
“No”. He replied, abruptly.
“Where is everyone?”. I asked.
“They are inside”. He replied.
“Please, do. Time is no longer on my side”. I said.
“Don’t worry. I will fish them out”. He said.
I nodded and was about to enter the house, but his next word redirected my steps.
© Joy Ifunanya
