“What kind of trade is this?” Afam thought sadly. “Every day, same
story.” He added while seated on the main chair situated in his shop.
Afam, a thirty-five year old young man
who was of Anambra State origin just rounded off his apprenticeship on sales of
building materials six months back; and since his boss settled him immediately
after his seven-year old apprenticeship, things hadn’t been going smoothly as
he anticipated to include low pace of sales as well as constant nightmares
experienced by him. To worsen it all, a lot of responsibilities awaited him
being the first born of his vulnerable parents who could boast of eight
children including himself.
“I pray God would deliver me from this bondage.” He continued.
“Afam, how far nah?”Ugo exclaimed amidst
the lamentation the moment he walked into Afam’s shop.
Afam was obviously outside minded.
“Afam…!” He repeated in a loud voice while still standing.
He was standing directly opposite Afam; their
positions were demarcated by a wooden table.
Afam quickly became conscious owing to the gravity of the last call.
“Hey Ugo,” he exclaimed in a very lowtone. “How nah?”
Ugohurriedly sat on one of the single
seats sited adjacent to his (Afam’s). “Guy, what is eating you up?” He
enquired.
“My brother,” Afam said. “Just tiredness...”
“Tiredness?”Ugo chipped in. “Did you go
to night vigil?”
“No,” he responded. “I’ve been very busy since morning.”
It was about some minutes past two in
the afternoon on Tuesday June 21, 2011.
Ugo was Afam’s closest friend and neighbour;
they lived very close to each other at their place of residence in Onitsha the
commercial city of Anambra state, and their shops were also located near each
other. He was also a trader but he majored in motorcycle spare parts. Both of
them were of the same age bracket, though Ugo appeared older.
“Afam,” Ugo called tenderly. “When did you
start hiding things from me?”
“How?”
“You and I know that you’re not happy going by your countenance.”
Afam became silent and calm.
“If you don’t share your burdens with me,” said Ugo. “Who would you.”
Afam immediately took a very deep and
noisy breath. “My brother,” he said. “You already know all my worries.”
Ugo became attentive.
“What else do I need to tell you?” Afam added.
“Is it about sales?”
“What else, my brother?” Replied the
frustrated dude. “Since morning, only one customer has walked into this shop.”
“Is that why you want to kill yourself?” scolded Ugo. “You can’t
continue like this.”
“So what would I do?” He asked inquisitively. Seemed confused and pale.
“My dear,” Ugo proceeded. “I’ve been into this before you.” He said
referring to trade.
Ugo was almost a year old in trading and
he was doing well; he commenced six months before Afam joined the trend.
Afam became attentive and curious.
“You see,” said Ugo. “I was like you when I started mine.”
Afam was silent.
“I was almost frustrated just as you are.”
“Bros,” Afam broke his silence. “You can’t compare yours with mine,
though I was not there.”
“Since you were not there,” Ugo chipped in. “How would you know how
serious was mine?”
“Because mine appears totally different and strange.”Afam responded.
“How can one not experience even a patronage for a whole day?”
Ugo abruptly became silent and
submissive. The last statement made by Afam stroke his lips, thus he threw in
the towel.
“Honestly, I think there’s something wrong somewhere.” Afam insinuated.
“So, what’s your plan?”
“I want to go and see my boss before the week runs out.” Afam disclosed.
“He might have something useful to contribute.”
His boss Chief Okekewas also a resident of the city, Onitsha and the
headquarters of his trade was situated there; it was at the main branch
(headquarters) that Afam did his apprenticeship.
Ugo nodded. “I think you are right.” he
encouraged. “But you must not let this thing weigh you down.” He added.
“Thank you.” Afam appreciated.
* * * * * *
“Good morning, Sir.” Afam greeted lowering
his head as soon as he stepped into his boss’s sitting room at about some
minutes to eleven on Saturday 25th of June, 2011.
The entrance to the room was let open by Chief Okeke’s female house help
having received an alert via the doorbell.
Afam had earlier informed his boss that
he would be at his place on that very day during the morning hours and Chief
Okeke consented to the proposal.
Chief Okeke who was in his middle fifties (50s) was married with four
female children; his last child was about ten years old. On that very day, he
alongside his wife Lolo Ujunwa was watching television at the sitting room; she
was aware of the scheduled visit.
“Good morning, Ma.” He added instantly.
“Good morning Afam.” The couple responded concurrently, smiling. “How’re
you?” Chief Okeke added.
“I’m fine, Sir.” Replied the guest.Stood still.
“You’re welcome.” Lolo Ujunwa exclaimed. “Please make yourself
comfortable.” She cheerfully urged.
“Thank you, Ma.” Afam appreciated. Majestically walked to one of the
single upholstery chairs in the parlour and sat on it.
He was seated adjacent to the couple who
was making use of the only two-in-one upholstery chair in the room. The couple
was dressed in pairs of Pyjamas of different patterns while Afam putted on
dark-blue jeans, purple T-shirt spotted with a strip of white colour as well as
a pair of black shoes.
“Don’t bother yourself, Ma.”
“How?” She said. “You don’t care for any drink?”
“No Ma.” Afam responded waving his right hand.
“Afam, what did you mean you don’t care for any drink?” Chief Okeke
said. Frowned.
“I’m Okay, Sir.”
“What about food?” Ujunwa chipped in; stood still. “Or, have you taken
your breakfast?”
“Ma, I’m Okay.” Said Afam. “Thank you very much.”
It was apparent that the young man wasn’t looking bright; he obviously
seemed pale.
“Na wa ooh!” Ujunwa exclaimed. Went back to her seat.
“Afam,” Chief Okeke called. “You don’t look
happy.”
His wife nodded in agreement.
“What is wrong with you?’ Chief Okeke added.
“Sir, that is why I’m here.”
The couple looked each other in surprise on hearing the last clause.
“Madam, please excuse us.” Chief Okeke urged his wife.
It appeared he was already aware of what was on Afam’s mind.
Ujunwa hurriedly stood up and walked to
her matrimonial room.
Afam was calm.
“Is it about your trade?” Chief Okeke guessed correctly.
Afam looked at him amazingly. “How did
you know, Sir?”
Chief Okeke smiled. “Because I saw it
coming.”
“Saw it coming…?” exclaimed Afam. “How,
Sir?”
“Never mind, my boy.”
There was absolute silence.
“Sir,” Afam called. “My trade is really giving me troubles.”
“Like I said earlier,” said Chief Okeke. “I saw it coming.”
“I don’t understand, Sir.” Afam said. Profoundly confused.
Chief Okeke was silent for a couple of
seconds. “Afam,” he called. “There is more you need to know about this trade.”
Chief Okeke who was densely rich was a cultist
but Afam was not yet aware; and the tradition of the cult was that any
apprentice who was settled by any of its members having concluded his
apprenticeship would never be successful in his trade unless he joins the
confraternity.
Afam quickly left his seat for that of his boss; he sat very closely to
him. “Sir, is there anything you are not telling me?” He anxiously enquired.
“Meet me tomorrow at Braxton Hotel,”
Chief Okeke enjoined. “Room 116.”
Afam was shocked. He least expected the
invitation.
Braxton Hotel was one of the most exotic hotels in the city; Afam was
yet to know how its interior parts looked like because he had never been
privileged to be there.
“We need to talk.” Chief Okeke
concluded.
* * * * * *
“Young man remove your shirt,” the Grand Master of the so called The
Classic secret confraternity mandated Afam in a thick and frightening voice.
“For you are in the presence of Ogbojiji.” He added.
Thatwas at about some minutes past eight at night of Wednesday June 29,
2011 – three days or the fourth night after Chief Okeke met with Afam at the
‘Braxton Hotel’. During that meeting, Chief Okeke succeeded in cajoling him into
joining the confraternity – ‘The Classic’ as it was called by its members.
‘Ogbojiji’ happened to be the name of the god or the Supreme Being worshipped
by the members of the cult.
There were about seventeen men including Chief Okeke in the enclosed
hall. They were all on their feet creating two parallel lines among themselves and
were facing each other as the tradition demanded; the two lines were about two
metres apart. The arena was undoubtedly fearful that even the blind could
testify to it.
Afam, a plum, chocolate and an average
in height dude who wore corporate native attire hastily complied with the
mandate.
Chief Okeke who stood directly oppositeAfam and was also dressed in
corporate native attire alongside other members present, nodded in appreciation
to Afam’s knee jerk reaction.
“Come forward, my son.” the Grand Master as he was addressed urged Afam.
“It is time for you to be cleansed and duly initiated into the big family of Ogbojiji.”
“It is time for you to be cleansed and duly initiated into the big family of Ogbojiji.”
Afam immediately stepped toward the beast-like creature (the grand
master)that was standing ahead of the group and was facing the entire members.
The initiation which was accompanied
with series of incantations lasted for several minutes.
“My son,” the Grand Master said. “Congratulations.” He excitedly applauded
the moment Afam went back to his initial position.
There was some seconds’ silence.
“By this time tomorrow,” he proceeded.
“You shall bring your mother to Ogbojiji for ritual.” He demanded, pointing at
a basin filled with water which was positioned at the centre of the gathering.
The white coloured basin was
displaying the image of Afam’s mum to his greatest shock; the master pointed at
it with the symbol of authorityhe held in his right hand.
Afam couldn’t believe his ears as
well as his eyes; it was like a mere joke until the reality dawned upon him.
Prior to this period; right from when his
boss - Chief Okeke joined the cult about fifteen years back, he (Chief Okeke)
had sacrificed his both parents and two siblings apart from the non-members of
his family he offered as demanded by the cult; also, based on the cult’s norm,
he likewise other members was not meant to have or boast of any male child.
After several days, in spite of the series of importunities from Chief
Okeke, Afam insisted not to comply with the weird and ungodly request; he
remained resolute to the extent that he began to avoid his boss – Chief Okeke
who was functioning as the cult’s delegate.
Two weeks later having exhausted the grace given to him by the
confraternity, the suicidal fugitive (Afam) was overtaken by madness.
http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor
No comments:
Post a Comment