Leaving Mama Calvin's stall, Vicky decided to head home. She was feeling extremely angered because of what was happening in their lives. She knew it without saying that this was Tod's doing. She had seen his angry face when she had refused him once again. She had been there while he threw Mike over to the coaches. She was there to see his face as he left her mother's room after beating almost the life out of her. She knew that Tod was using this means as a way of forcing her to yield to him. Should she agree to his demands or continue resisting? ASnd if she agreed to the demands, will Tod stop hurting her family? Then what about her, if she gets pregnant of her step-father? What will her mother say? What will her friends say? What about the community? What would her future be? Vicky pondered over these questions as she trudged home, carrying her back-pack on her back.
Vicky asked, "What about my own dignity? Will I ever forgive myself if I agree to do such a thing? How will I live my life thereafter?" These questions made her dizzy as she walked on and on that she was almost hit by an oncoming motorbike. The rider stopped and shouted her.
"What is wrong with you girl? Why aren't you alert as you walk on the road? Is that what you are taught in schools nowadays, to walk absent-mindedly on the road?"
"I am sorry sir," Vicky said, coming back to her senses, "I got lost in deep thoughts."
"What! A young child like you lost in thoughts!?" the man took off his helmet and looked at her questioningly.
"I am sorry sir," she said again. But the seemed to want to question her even more. Vicky was starting to feel irritated but the next question left her more stunned than the man's attitude towards her. "My child, are you pregnant?"
"What!?"
"Yes! You children nowadays don't have priorities, you don't even respect your bodies. Just going lying about with every man instead of focusing on your education!" the man added upon Vicky's stunned silence. Vicky opened her mouth to speak but decided against it seeing that the man was hell-bent to make a devil of her. She started walking away slowly, not looking at him again. Yet still the man turned and continued with his unsolicited speech.
"Yes you are pregnant
that is why youn are ashamed of yourself and even walks without knowing where you are going. Now see yourself! You have been sent out of school because of your stupidity. I tell you if you were my daughter, I would send you right back to the man who gave you that thing!" and the man clicked then rode away. The words so painfully hit Vicky as she walked slowly away. Why would anybody think of her as being pregnant? Why would that man be so harsh on her and insult her character. If he only knew what she was undergoing as a result of protecting and building on her character, he would call her a heroine.
But then come to think of it, Vicky reasoned, the man had opened her eyes. The society would treat her with contempt if she happened to get pregnant before she got married or even complete her studies. The man had netioned priorities, what should come first in her life. This got her thinking and reflecting upon every difficulty that she was facing at that moment. On one hand she had a family to protect from the abusive step-father, she also had her future to fight for on the other hand. But she felt the need to deal with the Tod's issue. He was the biggest thorn in her flesh and she felt that getting rid of him was the best way out of her miseries. But the question that constantly nagged her was "how?"
She was nearing home and remembered that she would soon be speaking to her mother. She remembered the condition she was in that morning as she left for shool. "What am I going to tell her? What would she say if she sees me back from school and that the principal demanded full clearance of the outstanding fees?" The last words of the principal rung in her ears and she wondered where he had gotten such untrue theory to use against her mother.
"Your mother is not honoring her pledge yet she received money from Chama a few days ago! Get there and tell her to clear all your fee arrears before you step back in this compound!" Vicky knew that that statement was quite untrue. Her mother had not received any chamaa contribution because she was not yet due. But who in the first place had told the teacher about this? She questioned herself. Then she recalled also that Mama Calvin had told her that Tod had been standing at the stall's entrance that morning when she was arriving to open hers. She was convinced that Tod had paid up the officers from the Revenue collection unit to come and harass their mother. He must have aslo spoken to the principal and managed to convince him to send her away. "That was not professional at all. It's not fair!" she said as she reached home.
The mother was lying on a mat outside the house as Vicky approached. She looked at her frail frame as she laid there and felt great pity over her mother. "I must do something," she vowed. There and then, she decided that she was not going to tell her mother why she was home, at least not the truth. "The truth would hurt her worsening her already worse condition." She did not want to startle her either, so she cleared her throat softly while she was some few meters away. The mother slowly lifted her head and saw her. A look of puzzle, then fear, then sadness suddenly appeared in her mother's face.
"Oh Vicky! What brings you back home my daughter?"
Without thinking Vicky quickly said, "Mama, I wanted to check on you because I was worried."
"What about school my daughter?"
"I asked for permission mama. I told the class teacher that you were sick and alone at home. So they allowed me to come and nurse you for a week."
The mother remained silent for a while, keenly observing her daughter. Vicky felt like her trick was about to be uncovered. She always felt like an open book before her mother. She couldn't hide anything from her. She therefore, expected her to say I know you are here for fees. But instead the mother said;
"Put your bag away then and make me some porridge, but tomorrow you go to school." Vicky heaved a sigh of relief as she went inside the house. "I don't want you to tail your class, you hear that?" she said so as Vicky disappeared into the house.
She did as her mother bade her and within a few minutes she was done. While working on the porridge she thought about what she intended to do. Vicky wondered again if she should tell her mother what was troubling her, that she suspected – no, she knew that it was Tod who had planned all their miseries. But if she tells her mother that, then she would have to tell her all that had happened to lead to that situation. She felt she was not ready for that and also not the right time. Not now when all things were going asunder. Besides, even though her intuition told her so, she needed a confirmation from Tod himself. And that is what she intended to do.
After seeing that all was set and her mother had seemed to regain some bit of peace, Vicky left the house without telling her mother where she was going. "Mam, I will be back shortly, let me check on a few things at the market." Gloria asked her if she was heading to the stall and she said no, just walking around. Then she was gone.
She went straight towards the market on the upper side where there were pubs and places where men frequently attended to hold their talks and play various games. Tod was a manager of the transport vehicles that were dealing with public service for ferrying the passengers to various destinations within the surrounding areas. It was a work that best suited him for he was a towering figure over many who were there. These places carried all sorts of men and one could easily find himself among thieves and robbers. It needed someone who could equally deal with the rowdy and often ill-behaved touts. And Tod fitted the bill unopposed. He always had the stage under his control and he commanded respect among all.
Vicky reached to where he normally was. But he was not there. She looked around and to what she knew was his office but still he was not there. A certain young man who appeared to be in charge of the station for that time was busy redirecting the vehicles as they entered or left the studio, noticed her and came closer.
"Hey, how are you? He greeted.
"Am fine thank you," she answered.
"Are you travelling, may be up country?" he went on.
"Sorry am not travelling but am looking for someone who works here."
"And who would that be?"
"His name is Tod, I think he is….."
Our manager! Yes he works here. Welcome to his office while I call him I think he is over there in that hotel."
"I would rather go to where he is please. Did you say that hotel that is facing us?" Vicky ensured she got the right information. He wanted to get Tod first by surprise and also in a place where they could talk. And so she was directed to a hotel facing the stage. She walked to the entrance and carefully stole some glances. She felt her hurt pulsating because she had never been to this place before. She felt a little nervous and almost backed
"No! Don't give up! You have to do this today. Yes today and no other day," She encouraged herself, then entered the hotel like a frequent attendant. If somebody had known that she was a fourth form candidate all hell would have broken loose. But nobody seemed to pay closer attention to the people who entered. This encouraged Vicky who entered and searched for a strategic place as she looked around. There were no signs of Tod in there. She started feeling disappointed. Can all her efforts go to waste? But instead of feeling sympathy for she slowly rose up and went to the counters. The young lady who was serving at the counter looked at her quietly but closely and Vicky knew she was an outgoing and friendly person. So she got to the counter and exchanged some pleasantries. Then she asked her if she knew Tod. The girl at the counter was so nice and warm that she quickly pointed Vicky to the inner room where Tod was. It was an extension of the main room where all kinds of people were, enjoying every kind of drinks and meals as they so wished.
Vicky took in one deep breathe and entered the room. She expected to find the room as fully packed as the other one. To her surprise, it was only Tod and one other gentleman. They were busy engaged in a story. They did not notice as Vicky entered, even as she walked up closer to them. When she reached them, Vicky announced her presence by use of a cough, she deliberately did the clearing of the throat so that Tod would notice her easily. It worked. Tod looked up and saw Vicky. He was flabbergasted by her presence. It was too uncommon for her to be seen anywhere near that place. He quickly invited her to sit down on a seat. Vicky hesitated but timidly moved to the table and sat there on the farthest end. Tod started by introducing her to his colleague, as 'my lovely first born.' Then the other man who was in stories with Tod excused himself and went away. Vicky was left with Tod all alone in the inner chambers of that hotel. She was feeling totally unsettled and was at the verge of freaking out.
"I have come to tell you that I am out of school due to fee arrears," Vicky started. Then she looked intently at Tod to see any hint that could betray him. Nothing. Tod might have foreshadowed and even rehearsed for this. He showed total indifference to all that was being said by Vicky. Not once did his face show any feelings or reactions to what was said.
"And mum is very sick, at home. Her stall was broken down this morning," Vicky ended there.
Tod then slowly lowered his face to look directly into Vicky's eyes. She could see in him something like a mockery. His lips were also twitching in a manner that showed their despising. As he looked at her, Vicky felt a surging of anger deep within her and she started breathing heavily. Her beautiful cheeks started paling and her hands trembled.
"Are you not going to say anything?" she asked him.
"Why should I? You have the keys to save all that you care about."
"What keys?" she asked stunned, "I have come to you for help not to be mocked or whatever it is that you call that jeering."
"And I am telling you the truth that you are the only one who can help yourself and your mother." He spoke this and kept quiet, looking at Vicky. In deep thoughts but thinking quite fast, Vicky concluded that Tod had just officially confirmed Vicky's assumptions. A deep loathing and resentment fell over her as soon as that statement was made.
"How could you Tod? How could you?" she asked.
"How could I what?" he asked in a deep voice and a determined face. Vicky realized that going in that direction will not be helpful.
"Well, you have made your point, so what do you want?" she asked again. Tod just looked at her with those eyes that spoke more than words. Vicky did not answer him but look away. Deep in her she felt a growing hatred against this man. She wished he had never come into their lives. In her thoughts again she comforted herself and said, let bygones be bygones.
"How old did you say you are, seventeen or eighteen?" Tod asked again and Vicky turned to look at him briefly before looking away again. Tod went on, "The choice is yours, if you want to save them or not. Remember your future is also at stake as far as your education is concerned. I want to know your stand!" he said and banged the table. Vicky shuddered and found herself wiping tears which were rolled down her cheeks all over a sudden.
"All you have to do is one simple thing. And you know it!" he said, ignoring her tears.
After a while Vicky found her voice and asked him, "Just once?" Tod burst out laughing.