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.
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“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.