《 Chapter 4 - Bonding 》

Truly, it was over for the other workers were getting up and packing their things. They waved to her and asked her to plead with Chinaza incase she was angry. Obiageli  nodded and waved them good bye. 

Chinaza was sitting on a stool in the kitchen watching the rice boil. She raised her head to look at Obiageli but soon turned immediately to the food she was preparing.

"They've gone," Obiageli told her. "They said you shouldn't be angry."

"Don't talk to me." She turned away but Obiageli  held her hand. 

"What does it matter if I support you? It's  not like I can help the bride.

"Of course you can." She dragged her hand away from Obiageli's tight grip. "You would have succeeded in educating those men that it isn't right."

"Just five men? What would that have to do with the huge mass that think this is right?"

"Little by little, that's how it starts. You educate five men,  those men spread and interact with others,  before you know, you've educated a whole town." Chinaza wiped her sweat using her thumb.

"I'm  sorry." Obiageli finally stated, looking remorseful.

"It's okay." Chinaza  held her hand and smiled. 

Obiageli was glad Chinaza hadn't taken it to heart. She couldn't afford to lose her only friend due to such minor issue. Chinaza had also joined the table the next day and had spoken with Pa Nonso, Oga Philip  and the remaining workers while Obiageli listened to Ifeanyi's stories about Lagos.  

It was funny that Obiageli had thought him to be quiet due to her first meeting of him. He was the direct opposite of quiet; he spoke more than anyone on the table. Obiageli deemed he had not been in a good mood then.

One sunny afternoon, they all sat listening  to Ifeanyi mimic  their new instructor: a foreigner whom none of them liked. Obiageli wondered what he had done to bag such dislike from the workers. She was sure she would like him if she met him. She was not one to hate foreigners. She loved and admired them.

"What audacity! What effrontery!" Ifeanyi had mimicked and the rest had laughed. 

Obiageli wondered what those strange words meant. She didn't hesitate to ask Ifeanyi after he had finished his mockery. 

"More like rude boldness or fearlessness." Ifeanyi had explained to her. 

She kept on repeating the words so she would not forget. She never knew Ifeanyi was watching her until her eyes met with his and she stopped. 

"Why are you learning those words?" He asked her.

"I want  to learn the Europeans' language." She shrugged.

"Why would you?" Ifeanyi furrowed his brow.

"I like it."

"So you don't like your own language, gbo?"

"No. That's not true. I love my language but it won't hurt to learn another."

"Who do you want to be speaking English to? Everyone around you speaks Igbo."

"I will speak English to the foreigners." 

"And where will you see one?" Ifeanyi asked totally amused. 

"You never can tell." She replied dreamily. 

That day, she had received  a letter from her mother. She tore the envelope hastily as she read:

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112, Elendu_Uzoma street,

Owerri,

Imo State.

6th, June 1982.

My child,

Obiageli, How have you been? I am very excited to hear from you. I thought you will forget your poor mother immediately you get to Enugu.

Thanks for proving me wrong. I read your letter to everyone in the house and they are all glad you have settled down in Enugu.  Nkem even said he will come and visit you one day; you know that boy is full of nonsense. 

Your elder brother,  Okonkwo has finally left to Port Harcourt. You remember Obi, Mazi Ekene's son who lives at Port Harcourt?  Okonkwo  left with him earlier today. You children are leaving me gradually and I don't know if I should be happy or sad about it.  I go with the former anyway. It shows you all are getting matured.  Dinma has even started learning tailoring with our neighbour. 

Hope you are eating well? I am your mother so I can't help but worry about you. My daughter is in a strange land and you expect me not to worry?  By the way, what about Jideze? Have you seen him yet? It's  been two  months since you left for Enugu, hope you have seen him? Extend my greetings to him if you have.

We all miss you here. Every one has been asking about you, all your friends miss you too. Don't keep me out of your life.  Write to me often. I want to hear from you, nne.

Your mother.

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Obiageli sat at the table with the factory workers, listening to their talks and stories about happenings at the factory.  Chinaza  and Adaobi were at the table too, joining in the discussion.

Florence was the only one who didn't bond with the workers. She was only around when they were about leaving.  She had never sat at the table with them; the men barely knew her. 

That day, Ifeanyi had offered to buy both  Obiageli and Chinaza food so they sat eating and drinking. 

"Ifeanyi, have they caught those robbers?" Oga Philip asked suddenly. 

Obiageli and Chinaza  exchanged puzzled looks as they turned to look at Ifeanyi who was smiling. 

"What robbers?" Chinaza questioned. 

"There was a robbery incident at Ifeanyi's  street, close to his house, three days ago. The robbers ran away immediately his neighbour made an alarm. People had chased after them but they escaped." Oga Philip explained.

Chinaza  held her mouth. "Hope you are fine?" She held Ifeanyi's  hand.

"Of course, I'm  fine." Ifeanyi laughed heartily.  "They attacked my neighbour not me.

"What difference does it make? Your neighbour's house is just like yours. They could easily barge in." Adaobi countered and Ifeanyi rolled his eyes at her making others laugh. 

"That street of yours sef, is known for robbery. You people should know what you are doing." Pa Nonso pronounced.

"Which street do you stay in again?" Chinaza  questioned.

"Samantha  street." Ifeanyi replied and both Obiageli  and Chinaza's eyes bulged out. 

"Isn't that the street you stay in, gbo Oby?" She asked and Obiageli nodded her head fiercely. 

"You stay at Samantha  street?" Ifeanyi sat up; his eyes shiny.

"Yes I do." Obiageli replied trembling. If she had known robbery was a regular incident in that street, she wouldn't had rented an apartment there. 

"This is good news. I've found a walking partner." Ifeanyi cheered. 

Chinaza snickered. "How possible? Your closing hour doesn't go with ours. You close by six but we close by eight. Will you wait for two good hours?"

"You never can tell." Ifeanyi shrugged.

Chinaza cast a glance at Obiageli with a huge grin on her face; however, the smile dropped immediately she saw Obiageli deep in thought. 

"Are you okay?" She touched her slightly and Obiageli flinched. 

"What's wrong?" Chinaza asked again. This had drawn everyone's attention on the table as they turned to stare at Obiageli; concern on their faces. Ifeanyi stretched his hand to hold hers as he stared into her eyes. 

"Nothing. I was just thinking." Obiageli dragged her hand and looked down.

"It's about the robbery  stuff, right?" Chinaza questioned but Obiageli  shook her head vehemently.

"It is." Chinaza  countered.   "See what you people have done. You people have succeeded in scaring Obiageli." She directed it to everyone but glared at Ifeanyi. 

"You don't have to be scared, Oby. It's not like we have this robbery issue everytime. It's just once in a while. Don't mind Pa Nonso, he just likes to exaggerate things.  All streets are bound to be robbed.  It's  just by the grace of God." Ifeanyi tried to make her feel better.

"That's right." Oga Philip supported.  "Every street is liable to robbery.  Only God can save us."

"So Oby, have you heard? There is nothing to be afraid of." Chinaza told her.

"What's your street number?" Ifeanyi asked. 

"Twenty five." Obiageli  replied, clearly remorseful that she had made everyone worried about a tiny issue.  

"Well mine is forty seven. Quite far from where you stay.  So you see, you're safe." Ifeanyi winked at her and she smiled.