The Stolen Years

by I. Izegbuwa

  Mrs. Briggs was pensive. ‘What if one of the girls wanted to get out of there, but had no one to confide in? Not everyone has the boldness Tosan displayed. We need to create an avenue for them to talk if they want to.’ She nodded and turned to Mrs. Osai. ‘I trust we’ll work together on this.’

  ‘You have my full support.’ Mrs. Osai promised, the compassion welling up inside her as she thought about Tosan and the slow progress she was making.

  The news went out that Tosan’s mother was launching a hotline on campus. It was to encourage the female students to call in and talk about any moral issues they wanted to escape from. They were allowed to speak anonymously and she promised that their privacy would be protected. All she wanted was information.

  The hotline would be wholly student run and she had found the perfect person to man it. After the day Madam Ofilia stormed into her room unawares and gave her a severe warning, Bibi had kept a safe distance from The Hack and its residents. Rather than incur Madam’s wrath, she kept her head in her books and focused on her love for sports.

  But now, she had found a kindred spirit in Mrs. Briggs; someone who was as averse to Madam Ofilia’s ways as she was, and her confidence grew. So, when the idea of a hotline was put forward, she jumped at the opportunity and volunteered to man the line for an hour twice a week.

  Mrs. Briggs had the phone line and a recorder installed in Mrs. Osai’s office and the hotline opened two weeks after the idea was conceived. It was to be run from 4-5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The recorder was to remain in the warden’s room, but Bibi would have the line with her, just in case anyone chose to call after-hours. They placed a beautifully penned announcement in the university bulletin, making it expressly clear that the callers could remain anonymous if they liked, but their conversations would be recorded. On the first day of the hotline launch, Bibi’s hopes were high. She was sure that lots of girls would jump at this opportunity and the calls would come pouring in.

  Mrs. Osai smiled at her from across her office. ‘I’m right here if you need me,’ she said.

  It was 4 p.m and Bibi waited for someone to call; anyone. The phone did not ring. She dozed off waiting and at exactly 5p.m, Mrs. Osai woke her. ‘That’s all for today.’

  Bibi felt really stupid. Whose idea was this anyway? Why would anyone want to confide in a complete stranger?

  ‘I hope you’re having better luck at your job than I am at mine,’ she remarked.

  Mrs. Osai giggled. ‘See you again on Thursday,’ she said as she waved her goodbye.

  CHAPTER NINE

  At Injayra, Aima was involved in a torturous waiting game. Her wedding plans weren’t moving as fast as she would have liked them to. In fact, they weren’t moving at all.

  ‘Aima, it’s been over a year since Sunny promised to marry you. When exactly is this wedding taking place?’

  Aima sighed and leaned closer into the phone so her colleagues couldn’t hear her. She didn’t want to let on how worried she really felt.

  ‘Soon, soon; we’re working on it. Listen, I have to go, I have an incoming call.’

  She said goodbye to her friend and quickly answered the unknown number. The voice on the other end of the line was slightly muffled.

  ‘Am I speaking with Aima?’ The woman asked.

  ‘Yes madam,’ she replied. She assumed it was one of the agency’s clients though she wondered why the woman would use her cell phone number instead of the office’s landline.

  ‘How can we meet? It’s important that I speak with you.’

  An inquisitive frown crossed Aima’s face. ‘Who am I speaking with please and how may I help you?’

  ‘My name is Rhoda. I’m a close relative of Sunny.’

  Aima’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Is anything wrong?’

  ‘Sunny is fine,’ the woman reassured her. ‘But when do you get off work? I really must speak with you.’

  She relaxed and arranged a place to meet with her caller after office hours. The caller described what she would be wearing and how she could recognize her. When she arrived, Rhoda was already waiting. ‘Would you like something to drink?’ she asked.

  ‘A martini.’ Aima replied. It had been a long day, dealing with visitors at the office. A cool drink would be great. ‘So, what’s going on?’ she asked, after a long silence. ‘You say you’re a close relative of Sunny?’

  Rhoda nodded. ‘I’m in town for just a day. I understand he has a little hideout here in Injayra?’

  ‘A getaway,’ Aima corrected. Sunny hadn’t mentioned anything about a close relative of his coming to town. If Rhoda needed a place to stay, she would have to get Sunny’s consent first. It wouldn’t be right to allow a stranger into his apartment.

  ‘Sunny is away at sea,’ she informed her. ‘He can’t be reached right now.’

  ‘You said you take care of his place whenever he’s away?’

  ‘Yes. I live there. You see, Sunny and I are engaged. Our wedding bells will be ringing any minute from now.’

  Rhoda let out an exasperated sigh. ‘My dear girl, Sunny’s wedding bells rang over a decade ago. I’m his wife!’

  Aima’s hand froze in midair, still clutching the wine glass she had been sipping from.

  ‘We’ve been married for twelve years and those are our sons.’

  Aima turned sharply to see two young boys sitting at a table some distance away, eating ice cream. The glass fell from her hands and shattered into little pieces, the colored liquid spilling all over the floor.

  Rhoda calmly beckoned to one of the waiters. ‘Could you have that cleaned up please?’The waiter nodded and retreated.

  ‘But, but... How come?’ Aima stammered. ‘It can’t be possible.’

  ‘Our home is at Victoria City, just 10 miles from here.’

  Victoria City! Aima recalled how she almost applied to school there.

  ‘I got to know about you late last year,’ Rhoda continued. ‘I received a call from a strange woman who told me that Sunny was keeping a mistress over here at Injayra. I didn’t believe it until she gave me the lead on how to reach you.’

  ‘What strange woman?’ Aima asked, still shaking from shock.

  ‘She claims to be from your country, one Madam Ofilia.’

  ~~~~

  Aima staggered into the apartment, her face hot and her heart thumping wildly. Rhoda? Sunny’s wife? And those two boys; they were splitting images of Sunny, with their pointed noses and dark curly hair. She felt sick to her stomach. How could she ever live down this humiliation? Admittedly, Rhoda had been quite civil with her. Had she been the one in Rhoda’s shoes, she wouldn’t have received the offending woman with such grace and calmness. She, on her part, wouldn’t be so civil with Sunny when she saw him again.

  When he arrived a week later, Aima flung the door open and stomped back into the living room while he let himself in. It was the first time in four years that his homecoming wasn’t greeted with excitement.

  ‘Hello hon.’ he said, surprised at her cold attitude. He walked towards her with his arms opened wide but she stepped back quickly and raised her hand to stop him.

  ‘You’re not the same person,’ she commented ‘Something has changed.’

  He walked dramatically towards the hallway mirror and peered into it. ‘It’s definitely still me.’

  Aima didn’t appreciate the sarcasm. ‘Even your sense of humor has become weak,’ she continued curtly.

  Sunny took off his jacket and placed his suitcase on the sofa. ‘Why don’t you tell me what is bothering you.’

  ‘Why don’t you tell me why I received a visit from a lady called Rhoda who claims to be your wife?’

  Sunny looked up in shock. ‘Rhoda was here?’

  ‘Yes, with two boys whom she claimed were your sons. Sunny, what is going on?’

  ‘What did you say to her?’ he asked, looking perturbed. ‘How on earth did she find out about you?’

  Aima’s heart sank. So it was true. Sunny didn’t eve
n try to deny it. She realized now why he had been so vehemently opposed to her going to school at Victoria City. His family was there. He had kept her in Injayra, a safe distance from his home, but close enough to make the trip both ways.

  ‘Why Sunny?’ she asked ‘You’ve been married all this while and you didn’t tell me?’

  ‘You didn’t ask,’ he replied calmly. ‘And there was no point complicating what we had together.’ She stared at him in disbelief.

  ‘Come on Aima,’ he continued. ‘Nothing has changed. I meant what I said back at Adenizen when I told you, you are special. I really did like you.’

  ‘Oh shut up!’ she snapped, fed up with his smooth talk.

  ‘Honestly, I did,’ he insisted. ‘And I wanted to give you the fun you were craving for. I mean, isn’t that what living at The Hack was all about; having fun?’

  ‘You promised me a new life!’ she spat out.

  ‘And I gave it to you!’ He stretched out his hand and pointed outside. ‘You can’t deny that you have had the time of your life, living at Injayra these past few years. How many girls from the Hack enjoy such an opportunity?’

  She winced. ‘No wonder my boss at the supermarket saw me as a plaything.’ Distraught, she buried her head in her hands. ‘I am finished. What am I going to do now?’

  Sunny yawned wearily. ‘I’ve had a rough trip. Can we talk about this after I’ve taken a nap?’

  He started towards the bedroom but she blocked his way, her hands akimbo. ‘Not here, leave my house at once!’

  ‘Your house?’ he retorted ‘Since when? I don’t recall you ever putting down any money for this place.’

  She stood her ground. ‘Still, you can’t stay. It’s over between us.’

  He picked his jacket and briefcase from the table. ‘As you wish,’ he said and walked out.

  With no one to console her, Aima sank into the sofa closest to her and wept uncontrollably.

  ~~~~

  There had been no word from Sunny since the day Aima walked him out of the house. Tempers had flown that day and she had been too angry to care where he went to or where he had stayed. She was hurt and bitter, but she wished he would call and explain or apologize or even declare it was an early April fool’s joke. But it had been two weeks and by her calculations, he should have returned to his base by now; or maybe to his family at Victoria City.

  She felt ill at the office that day but managed to put on a good front with her colleagues, secretly checking the clock every thirty minutes, hoping the day would fly by quickly. As soon as it was 12.30, she grabbed her bag and headed out for her lunch break. She wasn’t really hungry, but desperately needed to step out for some fresh air.

  She made her way to Jenny’s food court and sat down in a corner. She did not order anything but tried instead to come to terms with herself and plan what to do next. There was no wedding ceremony in the horizon any longer but at least she still had her job to keep her going. Now would be a good time to pursue the part-time degree at Victoria City which she had been contemplating for so long. She would get a diploma in Secretarial studies first. That would put her on a level playing field with Diane and Cecile.

  She returned to the office exactly an hour later, not having eaten but filled with plenty of food for thought. Cecile was waiting with a message. ‘The boss would like to see you,’ she said. ‘He said not to even drop your bag; you’re to go right up.’

  Aima hurried up to her boss’ office. She knocked and he invited her in. ‘I’ll be quick about it,’ he said. ‘Madam, we will no longer require your services here. The management has decided to let you go.’

  She sank into a chair. ‘But why, sir?’

  ‘You’re not qualified for the position which you currently occupy.’

  ‘And you just realized that after all these months?’

  ‘I always knew it. I only gave you the job because Sunny asked me to, in return for a favor he once did for me. But now, we both decided that I have repaid him in full.’

  Aima felt the muscles in her face tighten. ‘So he asked you to fire me?’

  Her boss shrugged. ‘We reached a mutual agreement.’

  ‘What does that mean?’ she asked, feeling more confused than ever. When he didn’t reply, she exhaled heavily and tried to reason with him. ‘Sir, I am applying for a degree in secretarial studies at Victoria City. It’s an eighteen month course and when I am through I will be qualified for this job.’

  He folded his arms and leaned back into his chair. ‘Look, it’s beyond me now,’ he informed her. ‘Sunny contacted the immigrations office. They have placed a restriction on your work permit. It would be illegal for me to allow you to continue working here. Please hand over your job responsibilities to Cecile and have your desk cleared out by the close of work today.’

  ~~~~

  Aima hurried over to Bonfree’s place. He wasn’t at home. When she called his phone, it rang without a reply. It was early November and the weather was cold. She shivered as she stood on the sidewalk, longing for the coziness of her room. She took a brisk walk two blocks down the road and back, hoping that the exercise would warm her up. A few cars breezed past occasionally and she looked up anxiously each time, hoping Bonfree would return soon. She waited for about two hours, before he finally came and let her in.

  ‘I have to find another apartment,’ she began, pouring herself a hot cup of tea. ‘Sunny sent me an eviction notice this morning. He wants me out of his house by the end of the month. ’

  She hoped Bonfree would help her out until she could settle her immigration issues and find another job. But Bonfree shook his head slowly. ‘I’m sorry Aima. Sunny has forbidden me to help you. I can’t go against his will.’

  Aima was distraught. Everything was falling apart right before her eyes. Did Sunny expect her to sleep on the streets? She had given this man almost four years of her life, but now he seemed bent on humiliating her.

  ‘I’m going to fight him,’ she declared vehemently. ‘I’ll take him to court. He won’t get away with this.’

  ‘Aima, sit down,’ Bonfree ordered, his voice so strict that she obeyed at once. He paced up and down the living room with his chin in his hand as she watched him.

  ‘Fight him how?’ he asked finally, turning to face her. ‘You’re a foreigner here; every benefit you enjoyed in this country was because of Sunny. But you don’t even bear his last name. He has a wife and family and you’re just his mistress. Don’t you see Aima? You are the intruder here.’

  ‘What are you saying Bonfree?’

  ‘Go back home,’ he said gently, each word pronounced slowly and distinctly to make sure the message sunk in. ‘Return to your country. There’s nothing left for you here.’

  ‘How could I go back home?’ she lamented. ‘How could I ever face those I left behind? I will be a laughing stock and a byword in Adenizen. The shame!’

  Bonfree sat down beside her. ‘There might be another way out for you,’ he suggested. She looked up at him hopefully as he cleared his throat. ‘I know a woman who takes in immigrants like you. There are a lot of girls who come into this country through crooked means looking for a place of refuge and a means of livelihood and she provides night jobs for them. You will have to earn your pay in a streetwise manner, if you catch my drift.’

  Aima looked startled. ‘Are you suggesting that I start selling my body?’

  ‘You’ve done it before, haven’t you?’ he asked. ‘Sunny told me that’s how you two met.’

  She fell silent and he continued. ‘It’s nothing new. Just see it as a temporary measure to sustain you while you work on your papers and get your degree.’

  Aima shook her head slowly. This was The Hack all over again.

  ‘Think about it,’ Bonfree concluded. ‘Let me know what you decide.’

  She spent the night in thought. Her choices were clearly laid out before her. She could leave Injayra with what little dignity she had left or she could attempt to fight Sunny only to lo
se the battle. ‘Don’t dare fight him,’ Bonfree had warned her. ‘Sunny is a naval officer and has all the connections; he will have you deported.’

  Whichever one of those two options she chose, she would still have to face a lot of ridicule when she got back home. Then again, she could go for the third option and re-live The Hack right here at Injayra. It would pay her bills and put her through school. She shuddered at the thought. The life she thought she had left behind four years ago, now seemed like the most promising way out. She realized that this option had always been crouching at her door. It would always seek for the slightest opportunity to rear its head unless she crushed it once and for all. Feeling extremely confused, Aima laid hold on her last lifeline of advice. She wrote to Bibi to ask for help from her dilemma. Bibi’s advice was simple.

  Despise the shame and come home, she wrote. You’ll be better off here.

  Aima needed no further persuasion. She wouldn’t wait for Sunny to kick her, first out of his house, and later out of his country. Neither would she stay and make herself vulnerable to his kind again. The following week, she packed up her things. Bonfree, who wasn’t willing to lend her any money to rent a new apartment, was quite happy to give her the cash to buy a one-way ticket out of Injayra.

  ~~~~

  It was fifteen minutes after five o’clock. Bibi left Mrs. Osai’s office and headed for the library. She felt relieved that the hotline was finally picking up. Slowly, the girls were talking. It was interesting that after three weeks of silence, the first girl who called had sparked an avalanche of calls from others. It was like they were waiting for who would bell the cat. As she stepped onto the sidewalk and strolled away, a pale green Mercedes Benz pulled up beside her. The window at the owner’s corner was wound down and Madam Ofilia stuck her head out.

  ‘Bibi,’ she called out. ‘Come over here for a minute, I want to talk to you.’

  Bibi’s heart skipped a beat. With a slight shake of her head, she stepped farther away from the road.

  ‘I don’t want to...’ she began.

  A stocky mean-looking man alighted from the front seat. It was Steve. Madam Ofilia also stepped out of the car.