The Wheelbarrow Pusher Episode Two
Sarafina was happy with her boyfriend. The happiness was so much so that she never wanted to leave his presence. She just wants the two of them to continue swimming in their love until they reach the point where they would get married and become husband and wife. But she is also aware that her parents are very powerful and that they were capable of finding her wherever she might be hiding in the town. She was ready to risk missing her own wedding because of the poor wheelbarrow pusher. She was prepared for whatever consequences that might come.
Sarafina knew what her parents were capable of doing. She knows they could throw the wheelbarrow pusher into jail if they were to find out that he was the one keeping their daughter. They have been able to successfully hide in the wheelbarrow pusher’s tiny apartment for many days. There were just three days remaining to her wedding and she was not ready to attend. She does not love the man her parents were pushing her to marry. She reckoned that if she gets married to Kunle, she would be unhappy the rest of her life. Sarafina does not want that for herself, so she was planning on how she was going to escape the marriage.
“Let us run away. The only way for me to be with you is for us to elope to a place my parents will never find me. I want us to run away. Don’t worry, I have money. I have so much money in my bank account and I’m ready to use it to save our relationship. Let us elope to a faraway place and get married. I don’t want to attend the wedding that is holding on Saturday. I don’t love Kunle. I will be unhappy if I end up getting married to him. You are the one I want to be with for the rest of my life.” Sarafina tells her boyfriend who was in the kitchen making noodles for her.
“But where do you want us to run to? Running away might not be the best idea. Do you think it is good for us to leave the town? How are we going to survive if I’m not working? Wheelbarrow pushing is the only thing I know how to do and I don’t have money for us to pay house rent in another town. Let us remain here; I’m sure your parents will not be able to find us. Even if they find us, I will defend you.” The wheelbarrow pusher said. He had finished making the noodles. He passed the plate of deliciously prepared noodles laced with eggs to Sarafina.
Sarafina started eating the noodles and she so much loved it. She likes eating noodles prepared by the wheelbarrow pusher who happens to be a very good cook. She was eating and smiling happily as if the man was the best thing that had ever happened to her since she was born. Actually, she regards the wheelbarrow pusher as a gift from heaven. Ever since she met him, she has become a happier woman. He has taught her so many thing things about life. It was through the wheelbarrow pusher that she learnt that life was not all about money. She learnt to cherish the little things of life such as relationships and to also respect ordinary people.
“You see one of the reasons why I love you? You are an incredible cook. I enjoy eating everything you cook. You see, before I met you, I did not even know how to cook. You were the one who taught me how to do even basic house chores. You taught me how to respect people. You thought me how to be a morally upright girl. I’m happy with you and I think what should matter to us in life is our happiness, not social status. I love you, but the sad thing is that my parents are failing to see that I don’t love that man they have chosen for me. That is why I want the wedding to be cancelled. Let us run away and get married elsewhere.” Sarafina said while hold the wheelbarrow pusher’s left hand. He was not eating with her. He was just watching her eat happily. Her heart was filled with satisfaction, knowing she was enjoying the food.
“But where do we run to now? I heard in the news that all the major roads are blocked and security agencies have your picture and ready to capture you anywhere they see you. Do you think we can make it out of town without being arrested? Besides, where are we running to? Do we have money to move to another country? Passport, visa and flight fares are very expensive and I don’t think we can afford it. Let us stay here for a little longer. I believe your parents will not find us.” The wheelbarrow pusher said tearfully. He did not like the fact that he is being rejected due to his poor status. He wished he had money. He would have confronted Sarafina’s parents. But poverty had put his back on the grown.
“I just told you I have money. I said you should not worry about the expenses. I just want you to permit me and I will start making the arrangements for us to move abroad and get married there. Once we cross the shores of Nigeria, we will not have any problem again. But wait, do you have international passport?” Sarafina asked.
“No!” The wheelbarrow pusher responded.
“We have to apply for it. As for me, I have all my documents. I don’t need visa since I’m a US citizen. When my mother was pregnant, she travelled to the US to give birth to me. That is why I’m a US citizen. But as for you, we need to apply for a passport for you and then a visa so that we can run away to the US. Don’t worry, I have so much money in my account. I want us to go this morning to the immigration office and start application for passport for you.” Sarafina said. They prepared and left the house. When they came outside, they saw a lot of police and army on all sides of the road.
“Are you sure we can get to the passport office without being arrested? I can see so many police officers on the road. Look at them, they have mounted roadblocks and I’m sure they are looking for you.” The wheelbarrow pusher said. It was as if the whole town was a barrack for security agencies.
“Don’t worry, I covered my face. They will not recognize me. Thank God, they don’t know you yet. So, we will get to the passport office without being arrested.” Sarafina said confidently. Just like she said, they were able to make it.
When they got to the passport office, they were lucky to be the first people to be attended to because it was early in the morning.
“Is this not the daughter of Chief Eloka?” One of the immigration officers on duty asked.
“I saw your face on TV. They said you are missing and we have been instructed to arrest you once you are sighted.” The immigration officer said.
Watch out for episode 3
