"Mum what did you do about Kaima? Was he later taken away?" Maria asked innocently.
"Well, the next day, Aunt Nkem woke up earlier than usual and hurriedly had her bath and left with her son; leaving Kaima and I behind. She told me to wash the plates and a pile of clothes and to mop the house as well. surprisingly, she had told me to share the leftover of yesternight's supper between Kaima and I for lunch and wait for her return in the evening"
"So Mum, did he keep leaving with you people?" Maria cut in unable to contain her curiosity once again.
"If you keep quite, you might find that out yourself". Robin rebuked
"Mind yourself Robin let the narrator answer me".Maria rebutted. I kept mute.
"Mum, tell you daughter to mind her mouth and learn to respect me, let her know I'm her senior brother, and that one day, she will have to call me to come to her rescue from school bullies, if she doesn't learn to speak to me in a friendly tone, I won't come to her aid, and if she disrespects me again, I will be forced to squeeze her mouth". Robin fought back.
"Hahaha, laughed Maria, Super Robin, or rather Robinhood to the rescue…Maria cajoled. I finally interjeccted.
"Its okay children, listen and let the story flow, no more interruptions"
**************************************
...she had strictly ordered me not to open the door for anyone, no matter who it was. Strange right? Not like she expects or keeps any visitors? It was probably because of the "goods" as she had called him. And that reeminds me,she had told me that Kaima was the son of a distant relative who would be out on a trip for a few days. What a pure white lie.
But anyways, that did not matter, what bothered me the most was the question of what to do about Chikaima's predicament, but ironocally, i too was helpless. I pondered fruitlessly on what to do. I thought of what would be the fate of Chikaima in the hands of Mr Ben. Was he going to be sold as a slave or a house help? Would he be used for some sort of ritual? Would his organs be harvested? The thought of all these alone terrified me. I felt like i had to help him. I pulled my dairy from under my pillow and a black pen, then i began to write:
Dear Helen,
Well I would have said that things have been relatively peaceful but for her beating the previous day, she beat the crap out of me with a wooden-spoon, hahaha, it was an exciting expenditure, at some point I stopped feeling the pain of her torture, anyway, I believe you are enjoying your good life and freedom anyways, don't worry much about me; at least for now.
But Helen, there is fire on the mountain. This might sound preposterous, but it is the bitter truth. I think Aunt Nkem is part of a kidnap gang. Yes, it is true. Yesterday she came back with a young boy of about four or five years and claimed he was the son of a distant relative who was travelling on a business trip; unknown to her, i had listened in on her call the previous day and heard her plans. I think by tomorrow evening or next, the supposed buyer will be coming to pick him up. Helen, DO SOMETHING, you are My Only Hope, you are His Only Hope, you are Our Only Hope, Helen DO SOMETHING".
Love
Steph.
By the time i was done with the letter, my face was covered in my own tears and sweat. I had to pass this letter to Helen via Levi as soon as possible. I walked into the sitting room where Kaima was fast asleep. On the TV displayed his probably favourite TV program "Sponge Bob Squarepants". I snuck out of the house and slightly opened the gate and luck happened to be on my side for as soon as i opened the gate, there was Levi in his immaculate white shirt and forest green trousers. As neat and well ironed as could be.
"Ptttsss, Levi". I called out to him.
"What's up?". He greeted.
"I need you to give this to Helen". I said as i stuffed the piece of paper into his palms.
"What game are you two playing?"
By now, any person with a good sense of reason should have been abvle to decipher that something was off, i guess he was sensible enough.
"Give it to Helen and tell her to act as soon as possible, i will explain later". I rattled on ignoring his question after which i shut the gate behind me not waiting for his reply.
"I hope Aunt Nkem does not find out". I muttered to my self as i walked into the house to resume my load of cxhores.
As Levi arrived the school and walked into his classroom, there was Helen, as early as usual, arranging her locker for the day. He quitely dropped his bag and walked over to her.
"Goood morning"
"Hey, how far?". She greeted as she extended her hands to shake Levi's as a sign of courtesy.
"I'm ok, you?"
"I'm good" Helen replied with a cheerful smile spreading along her lips.
"Take this, it's from Stephenie". Levi said as he handed her the letter. The manner with whuch she snatched it from Levi and the sudden change of the look on her face confirmed Levi's suspicion. Helen quickly shut her locker and began to read the letter; by the time she was done, she was silently sobing. The look on her face was a terrifying one. She looked like she had seen a ghost.
"What the hell is going on between you two? I deserve to know" levi asked with syrpressed feelings of concern than curiosity. Helen opened her locker and handed to him a rough yet neatly folded piece of paper. He quickly read the first, and then the second. He seemed devasted afterwards.
":How can something as serious as this be going on and yet you tell no one?" he queried. He looked into Helen's eyes and he could see her pain. It could be best described as wrenching grief.
"Do you think i could do something and then let her sufffer?". Helen voiced
"I already tried convincing my dad, but he would not here of it, he even forbade me from mentioning it to my mum" helen continued. Levi was dumbfounded.
"Come, we need to go see her and find a solution to this". Levi suggested as he turned to walk away'
"wait, Helen stopped him in his tracks,, her aunt may be home"
"No she's not,she should have gone to work... Levi deduced, else she should not have been able to leave the house and hand me the letter at that time...now shall we?"
"Yes we shall". Helen replied as she followed closely behind him.