NKEM 19
The trio walked unhurriedly greeting and returning greetings from people who stood by or were passing by.
"Are you leaving already?" Someone asked. When Gladys nodded there was that show of pity for her which she found very uncomfortable.
"God knows best", another volunteered.
Some others upon seeing the bag carried by Monye for Gladys strolled along with them asking how Gladys was feeling and whether she was going to come back to the village. Most of the time, it was her mother or Monye that responded to their numerous questions. When the questions were getting too much, they increased their pace.
The motor park was packed full as usual. Beggars, traders and touts ambushed travelers immediately they were sighted. They sang their way to their listeners' attention.
Oga, Madam please help me
God will bless you, help me
You will never beg to eat.
As soon as a beggar held by a child who is blind had begged round all sides of the bus, a trader took over advertising his product. If he is advertising a medicine, he first bad mouths unnamed products that were a poor imitation of the original product he is marketing. He goes on to talk about its effectiveness in glowing words and then give a prescription on its usage while expecting passengers who are interested to make their orders.
The touts waste no time at all. As soon as they see a well dressed person carrying a bag, they collect the bag from him or her asking and beseeching them to come along to their waiting bus which only remains a passenger and it would be on the way.
Lagos? Kaduna? Port Harcourt?
Oga, sister, Madam. The bus is ready!
No time to waste, no go-slow!
Monye had gone to buy the ticket while Gladys stood with her mother, discussing last minute details about what job she was going to do and if she would go back to her former employer. She was about to respond when someone called. She turned to the direction of the voice and her heart skipped a beat. There was relief in her eyes and a sudden joy marred with longing and guilt.
He inched closer but stopped when he saw her mother standing beside her.
"What do you want from us? Her mother began, Haven't I told you to stay clear off the daughter? She is no longer interested in you!"
She was ready to make a scene but Gladys wouldn't want any of it because the people around had started to take an interest in them for some sort of afternoon entertainment.
"Mama, it is okay. Allow him just this once", Gladys pleaded.
Her mother gave her a dubious look before moving away to one side while Nkem walked tiredly towards her.
He held her hand and the tears shot out from his eyes before the words came out.
"Gladys…Please…don't go. Please stay. I...I know I have caused you a lot of pain and I regret it deeply. Please, Gladys, stay. Don't leave me alone here."
She quietly took her hands from his and blinked away tears about to drop.
"Stay to do what, Nkem? Stay so that I can become a laughing stock to your wife?
"I don't have a wife. She is not my wife!"
"But she is carrying your child. That makes her your wife."
"You know you are the only woman I love. You are the love of my life. I don't love her. I only made a mistake with her."
"At the cost of everything, Nkem. Even with my innocent baby? You took away the only gift you gave me and you still want me to stay?"
The last statement broke him just as it broke her. All her restraint to hold the tears in check broke down and the floods came down heedlessly.
She brought out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes but her hand got stuck in mid air, unable to bring it to her face. She broke down in painful tears.
"It is enough! Her mother roared at Nkem. Go away! Leave my daughter alone for me! You have done enough harm to her!"
Nkem wouldn't bulge. He held up her hands and wept into them. Despite being harangued by Gladys' mother, he held on tight to her hands.
Monye returned with the ticket and stopped short when she saw Nkem holding onto her friend. Her initial response was anger but slowly she felt pity for Nkem. Looking at him cry like that without minding what the people around might say showed how sorry he was but it was just too late.
"I have the ticket", she announced audibly so Gladys withdrew her hands from Nkem and made for the waiting bus in quick steps as if the longer she stayed, the more she could be tempted to change her mind.
Monye walked along with her to the bus. She stood by the window until Gladys took a comfortable seat at the back.
"Please, write to us as soon as you arrive in Lagos. And don't forget to take good care of yourself! Okay?"
Gladys nodded while wiping her face with her handkerchief.
The bus soon roared to life. Monye and Gladys mother who had followed after, waved at Gladys until the bus was completely out of sight.
Nkem waited until the bus left, unable to decide whether to go back home or just stay while his heart was broken into splinters.
Thank you again and again for coming for more. The journey is still far ahead but we will surely get there.
So, until I come your way again,
I am Yours Truly,
Julius Topohozin.
