NYU Black Renaissance Noire Fall 2015 Volume 15.2 | Page 12

Benin City Matron seemed to have known about azen like this, which was why she warned me not answer any questions asked by white people. I should just keep quiet like rock because white people can get me in trouble if I talk too much. And when the questions about my madam in Nigeria started, I did not open my mouth like Gina. Matron was a mother to me not “madam.” Eseosa is singing really loud now but she has a good voice, so it’s ok. I want to join her because I know the Joseph Osayomore’s song, but I decide to let her sing, maybe that will make her sleep well tonight because she cried throughout last night. I thought a security man was doing her in the dark. When she did not stop, I went to her corner and asked what was the matter. “My period nor gree come,” she said in between sniffing. 10 “But we have only been here for three weeks, it will come,” I reassured her. “Have you lost your mind like Gina too? Itohan, should in case you don’t know we have been here for two months. Two full months for this hole wey wan make person craze. Na God go punish that useless man wey my husband pay and im still give me fake papers. Na ogun go kill am for that Benin.” “Eseosa, you get husband?” I could not hide my shock. “I know wetin you dey think. Yes get husband and na im sponsor me because he wan build big house for gra and drive Jeep. Na my husband o, na im send me this journey wey I dey so and the useless man go don dey drink beer and pepper soup now for ashawo joint. Useless men.” She said angrily. Matron says I should go to Prince’s house in gra to pick my travelling documents. Prince has money because only rich people live where I am walking now. Government house is not far from here, there are many Mopo guarding the roads. Prince’s house is very big; the walls are high with electric fence. I press a bell by the black gate, two lion sculptures stare at me from the gate’s pillars. A guard in red and black continental security uniforms comes out. “Na we useless pass, na we send ourselves message.” Gina said from her corner, where she’d been quiet. “Yes?” He barks angrily. “Eseosa you mean you have a true true husband who married you and you are allowing the guards to take you to the corner…?” I ignored Gina and concentrated on Eseosa. I tell him I am looking for Oga Prince. He opens the gate wider for me. Radio noise and dogs’ barking welcome me to the big compound. Thank God, all three dogs are in chains. “So who brought you here? How much did you pay them?” She too ignored my own question. “Follow me,” the guard says. I couldn’t answer her; I just kept looking at her black hair net, with human-hair attachment falling out from the sides. I hear the guards opening our iron gates now, no more sleep. My mind is full of things and I am beginning to think of Matron and Prince. His thick legs and broad back lead me through a gravel path. There flowers and green grass by the sides dripping with water; three cars are parked under a canopy near the main entrance where a gardener is watering the carpet-grass. The guard opens a heavy metal front door and we both enter. The scent inside the house is like I just walked into the perfume section in Zoro Supermarket along Airport Road.